BIRDVILLE HSMIGHTYHAWK BAND

Joshua Stover is an Assistant Band Director for the Birdville High School Mighty Hawk Band. He is the director of the Symphonic Band and the Fifth Period Jazz Band, and assists with all ensembles in the Birdville cluster - Birdville HS, Richland MS and Smithfield MS. Previously, he was an Assistant Band Director at Walsh Middle School in Round Rock ISD. While there, the Walsh Band was invited to perform at the 74th annual Midwest Clinic and was a TMEA State Honor Band Finalist. His bands have consistently and exclusively received "Superior" performance ratings from every adjudicator throughout his career. Before becoming a band director, he was a successful trombone instructor for the premier band programs in the school districts of Leander, Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Austin. He received a Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from UT-Arlington.

Josh has a diverse performance background that includes playing with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Navy Band Commodores (premier jazz band), and recording albums with the historic University of Michigan Symphony Band. Other unique performance opportunities have included halftime at “The Big House” (Michigan Stadium) with the New York Philharmonic Brass, a summer at the Brevard Music Festival, and a performance with Jeff Coffin of the Dave Matthews Band. Josh studied trombone under Dennis Bubert, Charlie Vernon, and David Jackson. Notable conductors he has worked with include Keith Lockhart (Boston Pops) and Alan Gilbert (N.Y. Philharmonic), the legendary wind band conductor H. Robert Reynolds, as well as military conductors Col. John R. Bourgeois and Col. Arnald D. Gabriel. He was selected to the 2019 TMEA All-State Etude Committee, picking the bass trombone etudes for the state. He has also presented at the annual TBA and TMEA conventions on the topic of trombone pedagogy. He is an advocate for performance opportunities in the community for his students, which has included taking his trombone choir to perform at the Big 12 Trombone Conference, as well as a performance at the Central Texas Philharmonic’s Joe Alessi Concert and multiple invitations to perform the national anthem at the Round Rock Express’ July 4th Celebration.

Josh is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the International Trombone Association. He was born in England, grew up in Texas (Copperas Cove), and now lives in Fort Worth with his family - Lisa, Eli, rescue dog Chase, and coming soon...baby Emily! His biggest hobbies are going on family adventures, perfecting his barbecue skills, and eating ice cream every single day. He is excited to be a part of the Mighty Hawk Band!