Meet the directors

Brad Dubbs, Director of Bands

(505) 296-4871 (ext. 35066)
dubbs@aps.edu

Education: Bachelor of Music Education, University of New Mexico
Years of Experience: 24 years of teaching middle and high school students in Las Vegas, NV and various NM schools, including: Jackson Middle School, Rio Rancho High School, Manzano High School and Eldorado High School

Brad Dubbs is in his ninth year as Director of Bands at Eldorado High School and his 24th year of teaching band. The program serves 150 students and features the Golden Eagle Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, 3 jazz ensembles, and a winter guard.  Prior to arriving at Eldorado, he served as Director of Bands at Manzano High School, Jackson Middle School, Keller Middle School (Las Vegas, NV), and Associate Director of Bands at Rio Rancho High School.  In his time at Eldorado, the marching band placed as one of the top bands in the state, jazz and concert bands  received superior ratings at all regional and local festivals, the Screamin’ Eagles Jazz Band was named the NMMEA Honor Jazz Band in 2015 and 2018, and the wind ensemble was awarded 2 nd place at the NMAA State Concert Band Contest in 2014. While at Rio Rancho High School, the jazz band was named the NMMEA Honor Jazz Band in 2004. The Rio Rancho marching band was awarded the Zia Marching Band Grand Champion in 2004 and 2005.

Mr. Dubbs is an active clinician and adjudicator at concert and jazz festivals throughout New Mexico. As a performer, he plays lead and jazz trumpet with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra, plays in salsa bands in the Albuquerque area, and has performed with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the national tours of Chicago, Beautiful (The Carol King Story), and The Book of Mormon. He has also backed up such artists as Bobby Shew, Wayne Bergeron, Jeff Coffin, Dick Oatts, Gary Smulyan, Andy Martin, Mike Williams, Butch Miles, John Riley, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Frankie Valle, Johnny Mathis, and Wayne Newton to name a few.

Brad Dubbs holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of New Mexico. He is married to his wife, Kim, and they have two kids and three boxers.  

Steve Snowden, Assistant Director

snowden@aps.edu

Education: Bachelor of Music Education, University of New Mexico; Master of Music Education, University of New Mexico
Years of Experience: In his 21st year of teaching band in APS. Music clinician and drill instructor at area schools for more than 28 years; former member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps; taught at Cibola HS, Polk Middle School; Current Band Director in his 19th year at Jackson Middle School and also Assistant Band Director at EHS for the past 20 years. 

FROM THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome, or welcome back as the case may be, to another exciting year in the Eldorado Band Program. We are looking forward to another great year at Eldorado!

Marching band is unlike anything that any of the Freshmen have ever experienced before. You may feel overwhelmed at first. Don’t worry! It is normal and completely expected for you to have those feelings. Remember that everyone, including your fellow section members, section leaders, staff, and even your directors were once in your position and that we are all here to help you and the entire band improve and succeed!

I have had many performance and teaching experiences directly related to marching groups outside of the public-school setting: including marching with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and being on staff with the UNM Spirit Marching Band. I look forward to sharing those experiences with the group. While earning my undergraduate degree at UNM, I performed in the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz band 1 and Jazz band 2. With the Spirit Marching Band, I served as section leader for 4 years and also as a drill writer and staff member for one. In addition to those duties, I ran the Soundpack Basketball Band for the Lady Lobo Basketball games. I earned my Master’s degree in music with an emphasis in education in December of 2008 from the University of New Mexico.

We will gauge success of the marching band by looking for improvement with every performance. This goal can be achieved by carefully evaluating each performance and having focused, efficient rehearsals to address concerns.

I am excited for another year at EHS! I am starting my twentieth teaching here at Eldorado High School, and my twenty-first year of teaching overall. In addition to my duties as the Assistant Band Director at EHS, I am also the band director at Jackson Middle School.

Remember to bring the following very important things to band camp: Water, sunscreen, good athletic shoes, an open mind, energy, and most importantly, A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

See you at Band Camp!

Mr. Snowden