Damon Coachman - Concert Band
Damon E. Coachman is the Director of Bands at
Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, CT where he
currently conducts the Bloomfield High School
Symphonic Band and the Bloomfield High School
Chamber Jazz Ensemble, and serves as the advisor for
Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Previously, he was the
Director of Bands at King Philip Middle School in West
Hartford, CT where he conducted a concert band for
each grade level, as well as jazz band and numerous chamber ensembles.
Formerly, he was the Director of Bands at The Jumoke Academy of the
Performing Arts at The Hartford Conservatory (2018-2019) and the Director of
Bands and Orchestras at Bethel High School (2004-2018). Under his direction, the
Bethel High School Symphonic Band won numerous superior ratings at Music in
the Parks Festivals and Festival of Music Festivals. The Bethel High School
Marching Wildcats became USBands National Champions in 2016. In 2018, the
Bethel High School Jazz Ensemble won first place at The Berklee High School Jazz Festival.
In the same year, the Bethel High School Jazz Ensemble received an
outstanding rating at The University of New Hampshire’s Jazz Festival. His most
recent guest conducting appearances include being a guest conductor of the
2022 CMEA Eastern Region Middle School Jazz Ensemble, the 2019 Charter Oak
Music Festival’s Jazz Band and the 2017 Marywood University’s Junior Wind Band
Celebration.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from
Central Connecticut State University. He has done graduate work in instrumental
and choral music pedagogy and conducting at The Hartt School, Plymouth
State University, and Central Connecticut State University. His professional
affiliations include National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). At the state level, he serves the
Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) as a member of the
Advocacy and Equity Committee, the Co-Chair for the Equity Professional
Development Day, the Co-Ensemble Chair for the Connecticut All-State Band.
For the Connecticut Chapter of ACDA, he serves on the Diversity Initiatives
Committee.
He enjoys playing trumpet in the Plainville Wind Ensemble and in the
Capitol Symphonic Winds. In the summer, he enjoys conducting the gospel
choir at Laurel Music Camp and participating in the Concora Summer Choral
Festival. He is humbled and honored to be the guest conductor for the 2022
Laurel Music Camp Band.
Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, CT where he
currently conducts the Bloomfield High School
Symphonic Band and the Bloomfield High School
Chamber Jazz Ensemble, and serves as the advisor for
- the Bloomfield High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Previously, he was the
Director of Bands at King Philip Middle School in West
Hartford, CT where he conducted a concert band for
each grade level, as well as jazz band and numerous chamber ensembles.
Formerly, he was the Director of Bands at The Jumoke Academy of the
Performing Arts at The Hartford Conservatory (2018-2019) and the Director of
Bands and Orchestras at Bethel High School (2004-2018). Under his direction, the
Bethel High School Symphonic Band won numerous superior ratings at Music in
the Parks Festivals and Festival of Music Festivals. The Bethel High School
Marching Wildcats became USBands National Champions in 2016. In 2018, the
Bethel High School Jazz Ensemble won first place at The Berklee High School Jazz Festival.
In the same year, the Bethel High School Jazz Ensemble received an
outstanding rating at The University of New Hampshire’s Jazz Festival. His most
recent guest conducting appearances include being a guest conductor of the
2022 CMEA Eastern Region Middle School Jazz Ensemble, the 2019 Charter Oak
Music Festival’s Jazz Band and the 2017 Marywood University’s Junior Wind Band
Celebration.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from
Central Connecticut State University. He has done graduate work in instrumental
and choral music pedagogy and conducting at The Hartt School, Plymouth
State University, and Central Connecticut State University. His professional
affiliations include National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). At the state level, he serves the
Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) as a member of the
Advocacy and Equity Committee, the Co-Chair for the Equity Professional
Development Day, the Co-Ensemble Chair for the Connecticut All-State Band.
For the Connecticut Chapter of ACDA, he serves on the Diversity Initiatives
Committee.
He enjoys playing trumpet in the Plainville Wind Ensemble and in the
Capitol Symphonic Winds. In the summer, he enjoys conducting the gospel
choir at Laurel Music Camp and participating in the Concora Summer Choral
Festival. He is humbled and honored to be the guest conductor for the 2022
Laurel Music Camp Band.