Audrey McCombs
Year Graduated: 
2012

Band Director

Ukiah Unified School District

Job description

I teach concert, marching, beginning and jazz bands, as well as guitar and History of Jazz & Rock at Ukiah High School. We perform in the community at football games, Pumpkinfest, at competitions/festivals across California and Nevada, and professional sporting events. Students have played at Sacramento Kings games, worked with professional musicians and college professors, and taken trips to the San Francisco Symphony, The Presidents Own Marine Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and more!

Why did you choose this program?

I chose HSU because having grown up in Fortuna, I had prior interactions with faculty and felt they had what I needed. It was a great choice, the small class sizes allowed me to form relationships with my professors that I still utilize to this day!

How did this program prepare you for your job?

My intention was to teach music, either at the high school or college level. The concentration in Music Education required more courses than most majors, and in turn prepared me very well for my high school teaching job; learning all the instruments, basic repair, aural skills, and many performing opportunities.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

I loved my weekly private tuba lessons, music history and music education courses. Again, the class sizes allowed me to make meaningful and long lasting relationships with my professors, which was an issue for my siblings who went to larger universities.

What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?

Take advantage of every minute of every day for yourself. As a teacher, your job is to give, give, give, and learn more in order to give. There are times that I miss my college days because it was all about my education and what I wanted to pursue! Use your time wisely—practice your instrument, practice the other instruments, take your ear training and conducting seriously!

Craig Naylor, 1979 »
Retired college professor and teacher, now writing novels, poetry, music, teaching Aikido and tending an orchard of antique apples near Kalispell, Montana
self

Amanda Edwardson-Lake, 2012 »
Band Director/Theater Teacher
San Luis Coastal Unified School District

Audrey McCombs, 2012 »
Band Director
Ukiah Unified School District

Suzanne Gainey, 2000 »
Professional Musician & Music Educator
Self

Heather Hutton, 1998 »
Secondary Choral Teacher/private voice instructor/singer, songwriter
Central Point School District 6


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