The Awesome Cooper Band website

The Director of Bands

Mr. S. Clay Johnson is currently serving in his fourth year as Director of Bands for the Awesome Cooper Band. Prior to his appointment as Director, Mr. Johnson served as an Associate Director. 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, and Texas Music Educators Association.

This past year, the CHS Marching Band, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Winds received fifteen straight Division I ratings for UIL Marching and Concert/Sightreading Contests, earning them the Sweepstakes Award for the 2007/08 school year. In addition, the ACB was named a "top 10" band in the State of Texas for their outstanding participation in the Dodge - Hometown Scholarship Program. Under his direction, the Cooper High School Wind Symphony received the honor of Sweepstakes in the 2006 UIL Concert/Sightreading Competition. In addition, the 2006 CHS Wind Symphony was chosen as an Area A Honor Band Finalist.

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. During his two years at Michigan, Clay was selected as a finalist in the International Tuba Euphonium Association Quartet Competition and Mock Euphonium Band 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, Michael Gross, Fritz Kaenzig, Sam Pilafian, Deanna Swoboda, and Irvin Wagner. He has also studied conducting with James Batcheller, Steven D. Davis, Jamie Hafner, 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

Pearl Gonzales Owens has spent the last year as the Head Band Director for Hawley High School and is thrilled to be returning to Cooper High School, where she was a graduate in 1992. She received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education from McMurry University. She also earned a Masters Degree in Music Education from Arizona State University. Mrs. Owens is a member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity, and a member of the Texas Music Educators Association.

During her time 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.

During her years with the Awesome Cooper Band, Mrs. Owens served as Drum Major for two years. She marched in the Dallas Cowboys Halftime Show, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, the Fiesta Bowl Parade and Marching Band Competition in Tempe, Arizona, and the Texas State Marching Band Contest. Mrs. Owens was also principle clarinetist for the Honors Band (now known as the Wind Symphony). She made the Texas All-State Band three times and earned first chair her senior year.

Mrs. Owens has been teaching private clarinet and saxophone lessons in Abilene for over ten years. This fall, she is joining the McMurry University faculty as the Clarinet Instructor. She has studied with many fine instructors including Nancy King Sanders, Raphael Sanders, Douglas Storey, 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 eight years. In December of 2007, they welcomed a baby boy named Nicholas into the family.

Associate Director of Bands/Percussion Coordinator

Mr. Patrick Stevenson has spent the last three years in Madison, Wisconsin where he went to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a Masters Degree in Percussion Performance. During his schooling, Mr. Stevenson had the opportunity to play in and coach several university ensembles. While in Madison, Mr. Stevenson also played with many civic and professional groups such as the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Beliot Janesville Symphony Orchestra, Verona Community Theatre and The Madison Area Church Handbells. Mr. Stevenson is also a member of the Percussive Arts Society and Theta Chi Fraternity.

Prior to his time in Wisconsin, Mr. Stevenson attended Oklahoma State university in Stillwater, Oklahoma. There, he was an active member of the percussion studio. As well as marching tenors on the OSU drum-line, Mr. Stevenson was a member of the indoor competition line for PASIC, (Percussive Arts Society International Convention) on two occasions. In 2002, Mr. Stevenson marched percussion with Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corp. Mr. Stevenson graduated in May of 2005 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education.

Percussion has always been a large part of Mr. Stevenson's life. Since the age of two he has been striking something, whether it be agreeable to his mother or not. This is why he takes great pride and joy in sharing his knowledge and love for music with those around him.

Mr. Stevenson and his wife Melissa, were married in June of 2004. They currently have three “children”, two cats Ella and Mercy and their basset hound Hershey. Mr. Stevenson also enjoys cycling. Although not a professional, he does hope to compete in some smaller races in the future. Being a native to the great state of Pennsylvania, Mr. Stevenson is an avid supporter of all things Philly, especially baseball.

Mr. Stevenson looks forward to meeting the Awesome Cooper and being a part of it's long tradition of excellence. He and especially his wife are also is looking forward to a warmer climate.