Discovery Bands

Murray Weaver is the head band director at Discovery Middle School in Granger Indiana which is part of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. Murray is originally from Goshen, Indiana and received his undergraduate degree in music education from Ball State University and masters degree from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University.

Mr. Weaver spent his first twelve years teaching at Penn High School as an assistant band director and director of jazz studies and percussion studies. Under his guidance the jazz bands received local and state recognition including being named Honor Band at the Purdue and Northrop Jazz Festivals. His percussion groups won awards at marching band festivals, Indiana Percussion Association marching percussion events and nationally at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in 2003 and 2006.

In 2007 Murray became the band director at Discovery Middle School where he teaches bands 6th through 8th grade and also directs the pep band and jazz band. The Discovery bands have earned golds at ISSMA organizational contest each year including several “with distinction” designations. The Discovery 8th grade band was selected for state level recognition in the Mark of Excellence / National Wind Band Honors project from the Foundation For Music Education for the state of Indiana in 2013.

As a clinician Murray has been guest conductor for the Indiana Band Masters Association All-Region Bands, the Association of Christian Schools International music festival at Bethel College in 2013, and a clinician for the Indiana Day of Percussion. He has been an adjudicator for ISSMA solo and ensemble contests, jazz festivals, middle school/junior high organizational contests, marching festivals and for Drum Corps Midwest. Professional memberships include: Indiana Bandmasters Association, Percussive Arts Society, Indiana Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education and is a VIP member of the Conn-Selmer Corporation and a Vic Firth Educator Endorser.

Murray lives in South Bend with his wife Gail and two children Evelyn and Ian. He plays professionally in the area for Musical Arts Indiana, the Twin Cities Jazz Orchestra and local rock band Lightly Sauced.

Carol Weirich is the assistant band and orchestra director at Discovery Middle School in Granger, Indiana. She is a graduate of Elkhart Central High School and holds her Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Butler University, graduating cum laude.

Ms. Weirich teaches the Symphonic Band at Discovery and team teaches Honors, Concert, and 6th Grade Bands with Mr. Weaver, while also assisting Mrs. Oppenheim with the Beginning Orchestra. She leads the After School Jazz Orchestra at Penn High School. Ms. Weirich also works as a music and visual staff member with the Penn Marching Kingsmen.

Ms. Weirich studied piano with Dr. Kate Boyd at Butler University. She also studied horn with Dr. Gail Lewis. Ms. Weirich was a member of the Butler University Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Orchestra, Jazz Combo, Marching Band, Basketball Band, student brass ensembles, and was an active accompanist. She also served as a teaching fellow for the Butler Community Arts School, teaching a studio of 15 private piano students and assisting with Music for Little Bulldogs, a beginner group piano class.

As an avid participant and supporter of the marching arts, Ms. Weirich marched mellophone with the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 seasons. She worked on the brass staff for the Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps in 2018, with the Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps in 2019-2020, and the Troopers for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Carol and the brass staff helped lead the Troopers to 2022 Drum Corps International Finals for the first time in 13 years. While living in Indianapolis, Ms. Weirich worked with two-time ISSMA Scholastic Class B state champions, the Danville Marching Warriors.

At Butler University, Ms. Weirich served as Vice President of the National Association for Music Education-Butler University Chapter and Corresponding Secretary of the Zeta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Ms. Weirich spent a semester abroad at the Piteå Musikhögskolan studying piano and conducting, while actively performing in several ensembles, including the inaugural Arctic Brass Quintet.

Carol lives in Osceola and enjoys listening to podcasts, going to the movies, reading novels, and spending free time in Chicago, Indianapolis, and southern Michigan.