Directors

Mr. Jonathan Stites

Jonathan Stites is entering his 6th year as a band director at Jessie Clark Middle School and was previously the band director at Dixie Heights High School.  While at Jessie Clark, the band has continued it's tradition of excellence by earning distinguished ratings every year, a large number of students participating in Fayette County Honor Band, and KBO All-State Band.

Jonathan earned Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from the University of Kentucky, a Master’s degree from Florida State University, and completed the coursework for a DMA at Stony Brook University.

In addition to teaching band, Jonathan is a professional trumpet player, teaching trumpet at Centre College and 2nd trumpet with Orchestra Kentucky.  He has held positions as 3rd trumpet with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, acting principal trumpet of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, principal trumpet of the Ash Lawn Opera, principal trumpet of the American Academy of Conducting Orchestra at the Aspen Music Festival, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and American Wind Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Kansas City Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, and Richmond Symphony.  A three-time finalist at the National Trumpet Competition (2nd in 2001, 3rd in 2008, 3rd in 2009) and winner of the Tennessee Trumpet Competition, Jonathan's dynamic playing has garnered solo appearances with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra. 

jonathan.stites@fayette.kyschools.us

Mr. John Bowmer

John Bowmer rejoins the Jessie Clark Band program for the 2021-2022 school year after stops at Woodford Co and Beaumont Middle School in Lexington.  Mr. Bowmer is in his 15th year of teaching and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he obtained a Bachelor of Music Education degree, with an emphasis in Euphonium studying with Dr. Skip Gray.  He also has obtained a masters in music from the University of the Cumberlands and an Administration Degree from Asbury University. 

At Beaumont, he oversaw all three grade levels of the band program, the jazz ensemble, as well as he served as the band director at Rosa Parks Elementary.  While at Beaumont, the band continued to thrive as a model program in the state of Kentucky including a performance at the KMEA In-State Service Conference in 2017.  The band also led the way in the district in student successes including honor band selections and individual student accomplishments.

Prior to working at Beaumont, Mr. Bowmer served four years as Director of Bands at Woodford County Middle and High Schools.  During his time at Woodford Co, the middle school band program doubled in size and the high school band received its very first distinguished ratings in both marching and concert band performance.  The band also had school record number students selected for both all-state and all-district bands.

At Jessie Clark for the second time, Mr. Bowmer will be joining the team to work with all three grade levels of middle school band, the beginning bands within the elementary feeder line as well as continue his role with the 23 time state champion Lafayette Marching Band. 

Mr. Bowmer continues to serve throughout the state as a clinician, judge and honor band conductor.  He is currently serving as the KMEA District 7 Middle School Band Chair. He lives in Lexington with his wife Sabrina, and their 2 children, Jonah and Kathryn.

john.bowmer@fayette.kyschools.us