The Awesome Cooper Band website

Director of Bands

Mr. Johnson is currently serving his ninth year as band director for Cooper High School. This is Mr. Johnson's seventh year as Director of Bands and served as an Associate Director the two previous years. Mr. Johnson received his Bachelors Degree with Distinction in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 and then received the Master of Music Degree in Euphonium Performance from the University of Michigan in 2003. Mr. Johnson is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Delta, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Texas Music Educators Association. Mr. Johnson is currently a member of the Key City Brass Quintet which performs throughout West Texas

Under Mr. Johnson's direction, the Cooper High School Marching and Concert Ensembles have received multiple division one ratings and have received the Sweepstakes Award numerous times over the last nine years. Mr. Johnson's ensembles have performed at the Alamo Showcase of Music Festival, Disney's Magic Music Days Parade, Pearl Harbor, Cowboys Stadium, and Liberty Island in New York City, NY. For the last two years, the CHS Wind Symphony has commissioned and premiered new works for Wind Ensemble by Dr. Kris Maloy and Dr. DJ Sparr. Most recently, the CHS Wind Ensemble accompanied Dr. Karla Ordonez as the fourth ensemble to perform the world premier of DJ Sparr's Precious Metal. In 2009, the CHS Wind Symphony was selected as an Area Finalist for the TMEA Honor Band Competition. For three consecutive years, three former CHS Band students were chosen as drum major for the Texas Tech Goin' Band from Raiderland. In 2010, Mr. Johnson was selected by the Cooper High School faculty for the 2010 "Spotlight on Teachers" Award.

At The University of Oklahoma, Mr. Johnson was the Drum Major for the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band for two seasons. He also served as the Director of the University of Oklahoma Women's Basketball Band. While at The University of Michigan, Mr. Johnson was a two year member of the University of Michigan Symphony Band. He also served as a staff member of the Michigan Marching Band for the 2002 football season. While at Michigan, Mr. Johnson was selected as a finalist in the International Tuba Euphonium Association Quartet Competition as well as a semifinalist for the Falcone International Euphonium Competition.

Mr. Johnson has studied trombone & euphonium with various instructors such as Brian Bowman, Ted Cox, Fritz Kaenzig, Sam Pilafian, and Irvin Wagner. He has also studied conducting with Steven D. Davis, Michael Haithcock, Sarah McKoin, Gene Thrailkill, and William K. Wakefield. Mr Johnson has been a guest performer with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, Brevard Music Center Orchestra, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association All-Star Ensemble.

Associate Director of Bands / Jazz Band Director

Pearl Gonzales Owens is currently serving in her fourth year as Associate Director of Bands for the Cooper High School Band. Mrs. Owens is a 1992 graduate of Cooper High School. She received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education from McMurry University, and she also earned a Masters Degree in Music Education from Arizona State University. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the International Clarinet Association, Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, and Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity.

Mrs. Owens instructs the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Clarinet Choir. In the spring of 2011, Mrs. Owens directed the Symphonic Band to a first division rating in the UIL Sightreading Contest for the third year in a row. Under her direction this past year, the Cooper Jazz Band performed at the Abilene Christian University sponsored Jazzfest, the Abilene Artwalk Cajunfest, and the Abilene Kiwanis Club Pancake Dinner. The Cooper Clarinet Choir performed at the Abilene Parade of Lights, the Dyess Air Force Base Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. In addition to these performing groups, she is the sponsor of the Abilene Cooper division of Texas Future Music Educators, which began its inaugural year with 24 student members.

Mrs. Owens has been teaching private clarinet and saxophone lessons in Abilene for over fifteen years. In 2007-2008, she was on the faculty of McMurry University as the Instructor of Clarinet. In the summer of 2011, she served as the Instructor of Clarinet for the McMurry University Band Camp. She currently maintains an active studio in which her students excel and receive numerous honors.

During her studies at McMurry University, she served two years as Drum Major for the marching band, and principle clarinetist with the Wind Ensemble. She also performed as the featured soloist for the 2005 Wind Ensemble Band Tour. While at Arizona State University, Mrs. Owens was principle clarinetist with the Wind Ensemble, as well as continuing jazz studies with the internationally renowned, Dr. Sam Pilafian. Her additional performing honors include advancing to the Texas All-State Band in 1990, 1991, and 1992, and serving as principle clarinetist her final year. In 1994, she won the West Texas A&M Soloist Competition, where she performed with the West Texas A&M University Orchestra. Then, at the 2005 Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, she was chosen to perform the Nielsen Clarinet Concerto by the world-renowned clarinetist, Dr. Elsa Ludwig-Verdehr. Mrs. Owens has studied with many fine instructors including Nancy King Sanders, Raphael Sanders, Douglas Storey, Andy Crisanti, and Thomas Josenhans. As an active performer, she has played with the Abilene Philharmonic, the San Angelo Symphony, the Abilene Collegiate Orchestra, and numerous chamber ensembles.

Mrs. Owens has been married to her husband, Josh, for eleven years, and they have a three year old son named John Nicholas. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, walking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Associate Director of Bands / Percussion Coordinator

Mr. Patrick Allen Stevenson is currently serving in his fourth year as Associate Director of Bands/Percussion Coordinator for the Cooper High School Band. Mr. Stevenson is a 1999 graduate of Tulsa Memorial High School. He received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Oklahoma State University. Mr. Stevenson also received his Masters Degree in Music Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Stevenson is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Percussive Arts Society, and Theta Chi fraternity.

Mr. Stevenson instructs the Concert Band, drumline, and Percussion Ensembles. Under his direction the percussion ensemble has performed at Marimba Madness as well as State Solo and Ensemble Contest.

During his time at Oklahoma State, Mr. Stevenson was an active member of the percussion studio participating in percussion ensemble and the OSU drumline. On two occasions he competed with the drumline at PASIC. Mr. Stevenson was also a member of the 2002 Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corp. He has also performed with the Beliot Janesville Symphony Orchestra and The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.

Under Mr. Stevenson’s direction, the percussion department at Cooper High School has continued to grow and thrive in musical knowledge.

Mr. Stevenson has been married to his wife Melissa for seven years. They have one son Collin who is both two and a handful. In his time off Mr. Stevenson enjoys cycling and spending time with his family.

Colorguard Director

Ms. Revell is currently in her second year as Colorguard Director here at Cooper High School. At this time, she is working to complete her Bachelors of Science Degree in Biochemistry. Upon graduation, she hopes to continue her education by attending an Optometry school, her first choice being the Southern College of Optometry located in Memphis, Tennessee. Ms. Revell is a member of T.I.P., Alpha Phi Omega, the McMurry Honors Program and Society, McMurry Colorguard (Captain), and White Gold Winterguard. \

During her time at McMurry University, Ms. Revell performed solos and duets throughout all her years in the marching band. She was also the lead soloist this year in White Gold. Her role in winterguard this past season landed her in a position in the colorguard that performed at the Thanksgiving Day Dallas Cowboys Game with Daughtry.

During her time at L.D. Bell High School, Ms. Revell participated in the award-winning band’s performances of “Blue,” “Ascension,” and “The Remaining” where she performed dance solos her last two years. With the Blue Raider Band, she helped bring home numerous awards including UIL AAAAA State Champions in 2004-2005, Bands of America Super Regional and Regional Champions 2004, the Sudler Shield, Bands of America Grand Nationals 3rd Place (2005) and 2nd Place (2006), and UIL AAAAA State Champion Runners Up 2006-2007. Ms. Revell also played percussion in the L.D. Bell Concert Band where, with the band, she received first divisions in UIL contests. She also received first divisions for numerous solos and ensembles.