DIRECTOR INFORMATION

RICK GRANLUND is the Director of Bands and Chair of the 6-12 Performing Arts Department at North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since 1992, he has held positions in five communities across Indiana and the Chicago area.

Under Mr. Granlund's leadership, his bands have received numerous accolades at state and local festivals. The North Central High School Wind Ensemble won the ISSMA State Concert Band Championships in 2006, 2007, and from 2009 to 2011. Additionally, the NCHS Jazz Ensemble qualified as North Central's first ISSMA Jazz State finalist in 2020 and was recognized as the Honor Band at the Purdue Jazz Festival. The North Central band program has also traveled on four different international performance tours and had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall.

His accolades include the Ball State University Alumni Achievement Citation and being named one of SBO Magazine's "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" in 2014-2015. Mr. Granlund was honored as the Indiana Bandmaster of the Year in 2014 and was a Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow in 2013. He received the Indiana Music Educators Association Outstanding High School Music Educator Award in 2011.

Mr. Granlund has served twice as President of the Indiana Bandmasters Association (IBA) and twice as President of the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA). He has presented at various conferences, including the IMEA convention and the Arkansas Bandmasters Association Convention.

A graduate of Ball State University, Mr. Granlund completed his Master of Arts at the University of Indianapolis. He is married to Candi, a fellow band director, and they have three children: a daughter, Elise, and son-in-law Jimmy; a son, Connor, and daughter-in-law Avery; and daughter, Laurel.

ANDREW BRINKMAN has been the Associate Director of Bands at North Central High School since 2015. Before this role, he directed Bands at Fall Creek Valley Middle School from 2003 to 2015, where his ensembles consistently earned Gold Awards at ISSMA contests. Under his direction, the North Central Jazz Ensemble was a finalist at the ISSMA Jazz State in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Mr. Brinkman has also contributed to the music community as an ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Adjudicator and as a guest conductor for various honor bands. He received the Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship in 2009 for his project on the Protestant Reformation, allowing him to travel and compose a band piece. In 2020, he earned a second fellowship for “Ticket to Ride: A Railway Journey of Musical Masters,” which he co-wrote with his wife, Michelle.

Previously, he was part of the Lawrence North High School Marching Band staff and performed with the Indiana Wind Symphony. Mr. Brinkman is an active member of several professional organizations, including Phi Beta Mu and the Indiana Bandmasters Association.

He holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Ball State University and is a graduate of North Central High School. He and his wife, Michelle, a Music Specialist, have a daughter, Clara. Outside of music, Mr. Brinkman is involved in his church and enjoys family time, travel, and outdoor activities.

Ms. Grace Hosford is an enthusiastic Indianapolis educator and international performing artist. Her love for music and service to students began in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she studied Music Education at Purdue University Fort Wayne. During her schooling, she studied conducting under Dr. Dan Tembras, and has attended conducting workshops with Dr. Dennis Llinás and Ret. Col. Jason Fettig.

Following her student teaching experience at Carroll High School (Director Doug Hassell), Ms. Hosford moved to Indianapolis and began teaching at St. Pius X school as their K-8 music teacher. She had numerous responsibilities, such as teaching beginning band, multiple choirs, coordinating grade level plays, and directing the middle school musical. Under her direction, the middle school theater program grew to 60+ students and put on junior Broadway musicals such as Alice in Wonderland Jr., Shrek Jr., Seussical Jr., and Mary Poppins Jr. The performances were held at Butler University’s Shelton Theater and Marion University Theater.

Ms. Hosford continues to perform as an accomplished trumpet player. Most recently being involved with the Indianapolis Symphonic Band under the direction of John Hilmer, and the Dan Nix Big Band. Previously, Ms. Hosford has traveled to Schladming, Austria to perform with the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project (WYWOP). This international orchestra gathered instrumentalists from all over the globe to perform as part of the Mid-Europe Festival. During this time, Ms. Hosford connected with esteemed conductors Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant, Michael Haithcock, Miguel Etchegoncelay, and Sami Ruusuvuori to name a few.

Ms. Hosford continues to teach all across Indiana through marching arts programs. Additionally, she gives back to the community with the Indianapolis Christmas Caroling Big Band organization, which brings together Indianapolis musicians of all levels to perform Christmas carols for families and facilities in need of extra holiday cheer across Hamilton County. 

When she is not involved in music, Ms. Hosford enjoys learning the martial art of Muay Thai and lounging outside with her boyfriend Daniel. Together they have three dogs, Arlene, Faye, and Vera…plus a foster dog, Bruno.