Directors
Director of Bands, Brek Mangelson
Mr. Mangelson was raised in Cincinnati,Ohio. It was there in the 5th grade that he learned to play the trumpet. Fortunately later, he played in one of the best high school bands in the state. He also developed a love for marching band and jazz. Upon graduating high school he knew that teaching music would be his dream and goal in life.
After serving a two-year mission in Budapest, Hungary for the LDS church, he was accepted into the music program at UVSC playing the euphonium. He attended one year there before transferring to BYU-Hawaii to study music and play in the brass band there and at the famous Polynesian Culture Center. There in Hawaii he met his beautiful wife, Brooke. After two fabulous years in the sun they transferred to Provo to finish their degrees here in Utah at BYU. Many look upon transferring from one university to the next as a negative; however, for him it was the ultimate preparation for becoming a future music educator.
Unlike many of peer students, cumulatively in his college years, he has performed in 19 different ensembles including: Cougar Marching Band, three semesters of Jazz Ensemble, five semesters of choir, eight semesters of Symphonic Band, and two Percussion Ensembles.
In the fall of 2006, as a student teacher, he mentored under John Miller, director of bands at American Fork High School. He worked extensively with the concert bands there as well as with the jazz bands and the marching band. Next he taught "next door" to his mentor as the director of bands at Lehi High School. The program experienced great success in those first two years. He contributed this success to his wonderful students and parents, and to his great love for people, particularly educating people. He says, "There is nothing more exciting than teaching something to an individual and seeing the light within them go on when they finally understand and grasp the concept you are explaining."
Currently, Mr. Mangelson is the director of bands at Westlake High School, a brand new school in Saratoga Springs, UT.
Brek would like to thank all of those who have influenced and educated him as he prepared to teach the students of today and in the future. In particular, Alan Nordyke, his Jr. High band director; his studio teacher and friend at BYU, Steve Call; and John Miller at American Fork High School.
Assistant Marching Band Director: Paul Lemen
Mr. Lemen grew up in Northwest Indianapolis and attended Pike High School. It was there that he met two of the most influential teachers of his life: John Marshall and Brent Hornaday. These two band directors knew exactly how to push Mr. Lemen and help him to strive to be his best. They also taught him the very important concept of teaching kids first, and music second. These two lessons have helped Mr. Lemen throughout his academic and professional careers.
Mr. Lemen graduated from high school and enrolled at Ball State University in 1989, majoring in Music Education. Mr. Lemen took the added challenge of focusing on two primary instruments while in college, euphonium and trombone. During his time in college, Mr. Lemen was the principal euphonium in the Wind Ensemble, Tuba/Euphonium ensemble and the top Tuba/Euphonium quartet. Additionally, he was first chair trombone in the top Jazz Band, principal trombone in the trombone choir, Symphony Orchestra, and was the only undergraduate member of the Cardinal Brass Quintet (on trombone). Mr. Lemen graduated from Ball State in 1994, Magna Cum Laude, with Honors and having completed 192 credit hours in only five years.
After college, Mr. Lemen was fortunate enough to find a job teaching band at Orem High School in Orem, Utah. It was there that he found out how much fun it was to work with students and help them to excel. During his 13 years at Orem High School, the band was consistently among the top bands in the state, including 8 Superior Ratings. Additionally, Mr. Lemen started the marching band at Orem High. From the first year of 38 kids, the band grew to nearly 100 by the time Mr. Lemen left. Through the Marching Band, Mr. Lemen was able to begin a very strong parent’s association.
In 2007, Mr. Lemen was presented with the opportunity to move to the Junior High School level by an old friend and colleague, Mr. Fred Openshaw at Willowcreek Middle School. Teaching Junior High School was never really on his agenda, but once he started working with the kids and saw how much fun they were and how much influence he could have on them, Mr. Lemen realized that this level was definitely the right one for him. The band has grown nearly 40% in the two years the Mr. Lemen has taught at Willowcreek, and is now receiving Superior Ratings.
Mr. Lemen is currently continuing his education at the American Band College (through Southern Oregon University). He will graduate with his Masters Degree in 2010.
Mr. Lemen would certainly not be where he is right now if it were not for the loved ones in his life. He is married to the most amazing, beautiful woman in the world, Debbie, who supports the bands in ways the kids will never know. Also, Mr. Lemen was blessed with two children from a prior marriage, Michaela and Jared, and with the best parents that anyone could ask for. Additionally, Mr. Lemen has been blessed to have taught some of the most amazing kids in his 15 years of teaching. Many are still in contact and have gone from being students to being friends.
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Staff
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