Discovery Bands

Welcome to the Discovery Middle School Band Program!

Discovery Middle School is located in Granger, Indiana and is a nationally and state-level award winning school. The Discovery Band Program is 270 students strong and encompasses three concert ensembles, two extracurricular jazz bands, basketball pep band, and active solo and ensemble participation. Click on the navigation button on the left to see a menu of important band information and learn more about our program. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Director Murray Weaver or Assistant Director Cami Roper.

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.

Cami Roper is the assistant band director at Discovery Middle School in Granger, Indiana. She is a graduate of Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana and holds her Bachelor of Music Education from Ball State University, graduating summa cum laude.

Miss Roper teaches the Symphonic Band at Discovery and team teaches Honors, Concert and 6th Grade Bands with Mr. Weaver. She is the visual caption head of the Penn Marching Kingsmen and also teaches music with the baritone section.

Miss Roper studied horn with Gene Berger at Ball State University. She was a member of the Ball State University Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, and Robert E. Marsh Horn Ensemble. Miss Roper has performed at the 2022 convention of the American Bandmasters Association and the 2013 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. While at Ball State, Miss Roper served in various positions for the National Association for Music Education at Ball State including chapter president and helping coordinate the chapter’s first trip to IMEA. Throughout college, Miss Roper taught marching band with several Indianapolis area schools including Carmel High School and Brownsburg High School.

Miss Roper is an active performer and private lesson teacher in the South Bend area, performing frequently with the Grace College Wind Ensemble and teaching several PHM French horn players. Miss Roper is a member of the Indiana Bandmasters Association.

Miss Roper lives in Mishawaka and enjoys reading books, running, crafting, and hanging out with her Syrian hamster, Toast (he’s the most photogenic hamster you will ever meet).

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