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Mark Nichols is currently the Assistant Director of Bands at Brazoswood High School in Houston, Texas. Mark is entering his 11th season as Brass Caption Head for the 2018 World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard. Prior to that, he was a brass technician for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle corps. At Brazoswood, his Concert Bands have been able to earn a UIL Sweepstakes consistently. In his first year, his Winds II Band also earned straight 1’s and won its class at the Gator Fest in Dickinson, TX. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas in Music Education, Mark went on to obtain a Masters in Music Education graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 2006, he undertook post-graduate studies in instrumental conducting at Baylor University.
Prior to Brazoswood High School, Mark was at La Porte High School. At La Porte, his Concert Bands earned consistent first divisions in Concert and Sight Reading. The Marching Band at La Porte was a consistent award winner and in 2017 earned the highest finish in 30 years at the Area Marching Contest. The band at La Porte grew by 50% and is now the pride and joy of the La Porte community. Prior to Mark’s position at La Porte, he was the associate director at Dickinson High School. His Concert Band earned first divisions in Concert and Sight Reading and were able to earn sweepstakes for the first time in eight years. The marching band under his direction finished 14th at the Texas State Marching Contest. This was the 1st State performance at the 6A level for Dickinson High School. Prior to his appointment at Dickinson High School, Mark was the Director of Bands at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kansas. His bands at Blue Valley West earned consistent honors around the Midwest in marching, concert, and jazz. His marching band was a Grand Champion at the Blue Springs Marching Festival, and a Class Champion at the Champion of Champions festival in Columbia, Missouri. The concert bands under his direction earned consistent first divisions and perfect scores while being names the Kansas State Honor Band. In 2010, the Wind Ensemble performed at the KMEA music convention and was also named a Choice Music Festivals Kansas State Champion.
Prior to Blue Valley West, Mark taught at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kansas. Mark’s Blue Valley High Band was the first band in the history of the school to earn straight 1st Divisions. Mr. Nichols also taught at Parkhill Junior High and J.J. Pearce High School from the prestigious Richardson School District in Dallas, Texas. His Parkhill program grew from 150 to 300 students in just two years and was named a top festival band at numerous competitions. At. J.J. Pearce High School Mark led the Symphonic Band to straight 1st Divisions for the first time in ten years. His jazz band was an Essentially Ellington finalist, and the marching band was a consistent area finalist. Mark spends his free time with his wife Krissa and their three boys, Riley, Blake, and Brady
