Home of the J-Hawk Band of Blue

Thad Driskell

Co-Director of Bands and
Director of the Band of Blue

Thad K. Driskell is in his seventh year as Co-Director of Bands at Thomas Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and seventeenth year teaching in the public schools of Iowa and the Chicago suburbs. His primary responsibilities at Jefferson include conducting the Wind Symphony, directing The Band of Blue Marching Band, assisting with the Ninth Grade Concert Band, and private instruction of woodwind, brass, and percussion lessons.

Mr. Driskell earned a Master of Music in Music Education Degree from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Wartburg College. He has pursued further education through private study of wind conducting at the University of Iowa under Dr. Myron Welch.

Under Mr. Driskell's direction, the Jefferson High School Wind Symphony performed at the 2004 Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference, shared a joint concert with The University of Iowa Symphony Band at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, and has earned consecutive division I superior ratings at the State Large Group Festival. The Jefferson High School Band of Blue has appeared in the 2004 Pan-Pacific Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii, the 2005 Citrus Parade in Orlando, Florida, returned to O’ahu, Hawaii in 2008, and earned consecutive division I superior ratings at the State Marching Band Festival and numerous awards in competition.

Mr. Driskell has participated as guest conductor with the South Central Bandmasters Association Honor Band, the North Central Bandmasters Association Honor Band, the University of Iowa Summer Symposium, the Wartburg College Meistersinger Honor Band, the Simpson College Middle School Honor Band, the Raccoon River Conference Honor Band, the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, the Greater Cedar Rapids Area Tuba Christmas, and the Eastern Iowa Brass Band. As an activist for furthering the concert band idiom through non-competitive, educational performance opportunities, Mr. Driskell has served as a clinician at the South Central Bandmasters Association Concert Band Festival, hosted the Plainfield Invitational Concert Band Festival, and initiated the creation of the Jefferson Invitational Concert Band Festival in the spring of 2006.

Mr. Driskell's professional affiliations include: the Iowa Bandmasters Association, Concert Band Affairs state chair; Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association, President-Elect, Concert Band Affairs chair, and 2008 Honor Band Chair; the National Band Association; World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles; the Cedar Rapids City Band Commission; and has served as an advisor with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music. Thad's family includes his wife, Elizabeth, and two children, Carolyn and James.

Thad Driskell: tdriskell@cr.k12.ia.us

Andy Houk

Co-Director of Bands and Music Department Chair

Andrew J. Houk is in his twentieth year as band director at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School. His responsibilities as Co-Director of Bands include directing the Symphony Band, the Ninth Grade Concert Band and the Jazz Ensemble. He assists Mr. Driskell with the “Band of Blue” marching band. In addition he teaches brass, woodwind and percussion technique lessons to students in grades 9-12. Mr. Houk is responsible for teaching 3 sections of AP Music Theory. Mr. Houk is also department chair.
Mr. Houk is a graduate of The University of Iowa and has done additional graduate work at The University of Northern Iowa. He has directed bands that have performed at the Rose, Fiesta and Orange Parades, twice. He has served as advisor for Iowa’s Ambassador’s of Music European Tour three times, once as Dean of Students. Mr. Houk has also participated as guest conductor with The University of Iowa All-State Music Camp. Andy’s wife, Arlene, plays flute and his son, Adam plays trumpet.

Andy Houk: ahouk@cr.k12.ia.us

Doreen Anderson

Assistant Director of Bands

Mrs. Anderson was born and raised in Norway, Iowa. She attended the University of Iowa where she was a member of the Hawkeye Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. She taught in Belle Plaine, Iowa and Mount Vernon, Iowa before coming to Jefferson High School.

As a french horn player she has performed with the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, and the Heartland Brass Quintet.

Mrs. Anderson lives in Newhall with her husband, Doug, who is and independent insurance agent. They have three children: Jenny 27, Ben 22, and Wes 18.

Doreen Anderson: handerson@cr.k12.ia.us

2011-2012 Band Parent Officers

President – Kayleen Patton

Vice President – Lisa Phillips

Secretary – Arlene Houk

Treasurer – Becky Bateman

Volunteer Coordinator – Kim Holvenstot

2011-2012 Student Band Officers

President – Trinity Patton

Vice President – Adam Houk

Secretary – Keaton Phillips

Treasurer – Tyler Kuehl

Junior Representative – Andrew Haring

Sophomore Representative – Trey Hill