The Cottonwood Community Band announces Philip Blackwell as its new conductor. Blackwell, a longtime music educator and director of bands and orchestra at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, brings more than two decades of teaching, performance and ensemble leadership experience to the community ensemble.
Since beginning his career in music education in 2004, Blackwell has served as a brass coach, assistant band director and director of bands, focusing on ensemble excellence, student growth and meaningful performance experiences.
Originally from Monrovia, California, he began performing at an early age and appeared with the Tournament of Roses Honor Band from 2004 to 2007. After relocating to Arizona in 2009, Blackwell studied Tuba Performance and Music Education at Pima Community College before transferring to Arizona State University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Music Education and studied with Deanna Swoboda, Ph.D., and Margaret Schmidt, Ph.D.. His experience with the Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band under James “Hud” Hudson helped shape his belief in building community through music.
“Music has the power to bring people together, strengthen community and inspire performers of all ages,” Blackwell said. “I am honored to join the Cottonwood Community Band and look forward to making music with the talented musicians of the Verde Valley.”
The band rehearses Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Clemenceau School Gym, 1 N. Willard St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326 and performs four concerts each year for audiences throughout the Verde Valley. Upcoming concerts are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. at the Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts, 210 Camp Lincoln Road, at Camp Verde High School.
The Cottonwood Community Band welcomes musicians who play concert band instruments and have a desire to perform with a community ensemble. The band is especially seeking French horns, oboists and bassoonists, though musicians of all instruments are encouraged to inquire.
Musicians interested in joining the Cottonwood Community Band or asking questions may email cottonwoodcommunityband@gmail.com.
Established in 1990, the Cottonwood Community Band is a nonprofit community ensemble made up of instrumentalists from the Verde Valley and Sedona. Its mission is to provide area musicians with opportunities to rehearse and perform concert band literature, develop their musical talents, promote music education and appreciation and enrich the cultural life of the community through performances.
For more information, visit cottonwoodcommunityband.org.
