About the Wethersfield High School Music PrograM
About the Wethersfield High School Music PrograM
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Wethersfield High School offers a comprehensive music education program. Located just outside Hartford, Connecticut WHS is located close to the cultural centers of New England and the United States. After undergoing an extensive renovation Wethersfield High School now has one of the premiere arts facilities in Connecticut and New England. WHS has a wide offering of music courses in Band, Orchestra, Choir, Music Theory, and Music Production.
For information on these courses click the class links above or feel free to contact us at anytime!
Michael P. Bowles
Michael P. Bowles
Instrumental and Electronic Music Director
Instrumental and Electronic Music Director
Michael has served as the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Wethersfield High School Since 2017. Under his direction bands at Wethersfield High School have received national recognition both in Marching and Concert Bands. The WHS Symphonic Band has performed at the United States Coast Guard Academy at the 2024 New England Band Symposium and recieved a Citation of Excellence and the Marching Band has been a USBands Nationals Finalist in 2022 and 2024. In addition to his direction duties Michael also serves a Department Vision for Music/Art/and Physical Education.
Previously, Michael was the Director of Bands at Thompson Valley High School and Walt Clark Middle School in Loveland, Colorado. While at Thompson Valley the “Golden Eagle Marching Band” made its first appearance in the Colorado State Finals in 20 years.
Prior to teaching in Loveland Michael received his Master of Music (Wind Conducting) from Colorado State University where he assisted with the CSU Marching Band, the Basketball Pep Band, Volleyball Pep Band, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band. His research of the music of famed composer Alan Hovhaness earned him the distinguished "Top Scholar" award presented by the university faculty council.
From 2011-2014, Bowles served as the Director of Bands and Choirs at Cedaredge High School and Cedaredge Middle School where his ensembles consistently earned superior ratings in concert band and marching band contests. Under Bowles’ direction, the Cedaredge High School Marching Band was named the 1A State Champions for three consecutive years and in 2012, his ensemble earned the honor as the smallest marching band to win a state championship in Colorado CBA history. In addition, Bowles was the facilitator for the Delta County Schools Music Curriculum Committee and coordinator for the Delta County Middle School Honor Band and Choir Festival.
In 2011, he received his Bachelor of Music from Colorado State University, performing with a variety of ensembles including the CSU Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and the CSU Percussion Ensemble. In addition, Bowles was a member of the Colorado State University Percussion Ensemble performing at the 2010 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).
Bowles has performed professionally as a percussionist with the Valley Symphony Orchestra (Dealt, CO) and Fort Collins (CO) Wind Symphony. As an educator, he has taught drumline at Eaton High School, Greeley Central High School, the Greeley All-City Marching Band, and Colorado State University’s cymbal line. Bowles has presented clinics at both Colorado State University and the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic/Conference, and the Connecticut Music Educators Association Clinic Conference.
Bowles percussion instructor was Dr. Eric Hollenbeck and he has studied conducting with Dr. Rebecca Phillips, Dr. Steven Moore, and Professor Wesley Kenney. He is a member of the National Association of Music Educators, and the Connecticut Music Educators Association, and the World Association for Symphony Bands and Ensembles. Currently, Michael serves as the Connecticut State Representative of the National Band Association.
Band Staff
Band Staff
Katharine Fortuna
Assistant Marching Band Director
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