*REQUIRED* 2025 Summer Band Camp is Aug. 4-8, 8AM to noon

Alumni

If you are an alumnus of the North band program and are currently working in music, pursuing (or earned) a music degree, or are still playing in your college or community bands we'd like to hear from you! Send us an email with a little bit of information about how you're still using your music training, the year you graduated, your instrument, and a picture of yourself to be featured on this page, Facebook, and Twitter! Email us at stirlingk@davenportschools.org or message us on Facebook.

Congratulations 2018 Seniors!

Band Selfie Freshmen to Senior Year

FEATURED ALUMNI

Philip Alejo

Class of 2001 - French Horn

I am proud to be a North High School graduate from the Class of 2001. I participated in the band (french horn), orchestra (double bass), and choir (show choir) programs. I owe much of my passion for music, not to mention the trajectory of my career, to my music teachers in the Davenport Public Schools (Kris Kendall, Gary Ciccotelli, Sara Tinsman, Jim McCartney, Keith Currington, Ryan Riewerts, Vicki Gray, and more). These folks are not only exceptional musicians, but also inspiring educators – they continue to be my role models. Thank you to each of them! I am very grateful that my public school education prepared me to attend Oberlin College and Conservatory (BA, BM), Yale University (MM), and the University of Michigan (DMA).

I am currently in my fifth year at the University of Arizona, where I am a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Music (Double Bass), and I am also on the Artist Faculty at Bay View Music Festival (MI). Previously, I served as a Visiting Professor of Music (Double Bass) at the University of Michigan. My career as a double bassist has included performances with the Phoenix Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Arizona Opera, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Quad City Symphony, Ensemble Dal Niente, Flint Symphony, and Ann Arbor Symphony. As a chamber musician, I collaborate regularly with harpist Claire Happel in River Town Duo. We have recently premiered newly commissioned works by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw and Yale composer Hannah Lash. I frequently appear in performance at festivals in this country and abroad, including Spoleto Festival USA (SC), Lucerne Festival (Switzerland), Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival (NC), Mackinac Island Music Festival (MI), Avaloch Farm Music Institute (NH), Oaxaca Instrumenta (Mexico), Aldeburgh Festival (England), Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival (AZ), Pacific Music Festival (Japan), and Aspen Music Festival (CO).

Thanks,

Philip Alejo

Noah Sund

Class of 2013 - Electric Bass/Double Bass

Noah Sund graduated from North in 2013. During his years at NHS he played electric and double bass in the jazz band, pep band, and orchestra. He also was selected to perform in the Iowa All-State Band on bass. Today Noah is an active performer in the 34th Army Band stationed in Fairfield, Iowa, which is the official military band of Iowa. They assemble one weekend a month plus 15 annual training days a year to perform and support various civilian and military ceremonies.

Margaret (Vogel) Thompson

Class of 2007 - Trumpet

I graduated from North in 2007. While at North, I was involved in band, choir, and drama. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at North and was provided many musical experiences that helped me decide to become a music educator myself. I went on to receive my Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Coe College and my Masters of Music in Music Education from Kent State University. I have been teaching since 2011 and I am currently a Vocal Music Teacher at Pleasant Valley Junior High School. In addition to my regular teaching duties, I direct a children’s choir at St. Paul Lutheran Church, teach private lessons, and perform with Vocal Ensemble QC. I strive to provide my students with the best possible music experiences and give them ample opportunities for quality music making. I am very grateful of the music education I received at North and how it prepared me for my future.

Nick Thumma

Class of 1999 - Clarinet

My name is Nick Thumma, I played clarinet under the directon of Jim McCartney and Carl Collins. I was also a member of the Acapella Choir directed by Keith Curington.

I am a 1999 graduate of North. I earned my BA in K-12 vocal music from Upper Iowa University in 2003. I was a member of the Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and Band at Upper Iowa University. I was President of the Choir, Gamma Mu Sigma Fraternity and Student Activities Board.

I have been teaching for 14 years. I taught high school vocal music at Western Dubuque High School for my first two years. I was responsible for a mixed choir, women’s choir, musical theater class, yearly musical and show choir. I am currently in my 12th year of teaching K-4 General music in Monticello, Iowa. In addition to teaching K-4 General Music I am the K-12 Fine Arts Curricular Lead and the Vice-President of the Monticello Education Association.

I absolutely love teaching and credit my love for music to Mr. McCartney, Mr. Collins and Mr. Curington. They instilled life long values that I carry with me to this day!

If I can give advice to any future teachers it would be that there is no greater reward than seeing your students be successful! You never know who will be looking back and writing about how you inspired them!

I will always remember Mr. McCartney’s advice,” To be early is to be on time!”

Ben McCartney

Class of 2006 - Trumpet

My name is Ben McCartney. I graduated from NHS in 2006 and went on to receive my B.A. in Music Education from Drake University. In my time at Drake, I had the opportunity to play in Drake Jazz I, Jazz Combo, Drake Symphony Orchestra, and principal trumpet in the Drake Wind Symphony.

I am currently in my 2nd year of teaching 9-12 Instrumental music at Knoxville High School. My duties include: Conducting the Wind Ensemble, Junction 92 Jazz Ensemble, Panther Marching Band, Pep Band, and Music Theory instructor. Outside of teaching, I have the pleasure to perform with a great Des Moines brass band named Grand Ave Ruckus.

The NHS Music Department has always provided students with a tremendous amount of quality musical opportunities. But whether you want to make music your career or a hobby, you are guaranteed to be a part of a musical family where you will learn so much about yourself and develop many of the life skills needed to be successful in whatever it is you choose to do.

Having Dad (Mr. McCartney), Mrs. McMillen, and Mr. Riewerts as teachers and now as friends and colleagues has certainly been a blessing. These three have inspired, mentored, and pushed so many students from different walks of life to reach for their dreams, no matter how big they are.

Do what you love and never stop learning.

Scott Bosco

Class of 2010 - Clarinet

I graduated from North in 2010 and went on to earn my Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa. While at UNI I spent time playing clarinet in the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and Panther Marching Band.

I am currently in my second year of teaching as Director of 7th and 8th Grade Bands at Clinton Middle School in Clinton, Iowa. I also assist in directing the 5th Grade Band and Middle School Jazz Band. I have also had the great pleasure of being able to come back to North and direct both Show Choir Combo's for the past three years.

I can honestly say I would have gone on and done something different had I not been involved in music at North. Being able to be involved in so many different musical opportunities is something that I will always treasure. On top of that, being able to be in band with Mr. McCartney was a four year masterclass on how to motivate and inspire students as well as making band one big family. I strive to follow his example when I am in the classroom and he is a huge reason why I chose to be a band director in the first place.

To steal a phrase from '12 graduate Matt Dutton "I'm incredibly grateful to have had such a strong background and musical upbringing between Mr. McCartney, Ms. McMillen and Mr. Riewerts. Don't let opportunities pass you up, Do what you love!! If you can get up in the morning and are able to do something that doesn't feel like "work" then you have found it!!

Britt Crowe (Houlihan)

Class of 1996 - Saxophone/Flute

I graduated from NHS in 1996. I played saxophone in band, sang in choir and played flute in orchestra (I took flute to the Iowa All-State band). I got my bachelors degree in music education from Augustana in 2000. I’ve been teaching elementary general music for 18 years in District 158 in Huntley, Illinois. I teach private piano and play my flute at St Mary Catholic Church in Huntley and with the Woodstock City Band.

Matt Dutton

Class of 2012 - Tuba/Euphonium

(Pictured second from left)

I’m a 2012 grad of NHS, and I went on to earn my BA in Music from UNI in 2017. I played in the Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, and went on 2 international tours with the ensembles at UNI. Currently, I’m working as a graduate assistant directing the Golden Grizzlies Pep Band at Oakland University in Auburn Hills, MI, where I'm also working on a Master’s of Music Performance degree (I’m a tuba and euphonium player). I’m part of the Wind Symphony here, various chamber ensembles, and the acclaimed Oakland University Brass Band, where I’m one of two euphonium players. Aside from all of my duties at school, I enjoy spending time in my ever-growing bedroom music studio, complete with electric keyboards and drum sets; my roommate and I are in the process of starting a recording project of some kind very soon.

I credit all of the playing opportunities I had at North (I was in everything that required a low brass instrument) with my success in the music field, as well as embedding a deep love of sharing my talents and the gift of music. I believe very strongly that music has healing powers, and I hope to be able to share that with as many people as possible during my time here. To say the least, I’m incredibly grateful to have had such a strong background and musical upbringing between Mr. McCartney, Ms. McMillen, and Mr. Riewerts.

If I could give a young musician a piece of advice, it would be to not let opportunities pass you up, especially if it involves something that you truly care for. For me, that was music, and the big choice of pursuing music as a profession. Do what you love!!

Go Wildcats!

Matt Dutton, NHS ‘12

Congratulations 2017 Seniors!

Report abuse