I’m very happy to announce that Ms. Rebecca Fillingham will be our new associate band director this year. She brings a lot of experience with marching and concert band. She is a fantastic music educator, full of energy, experience and motivation! There’s no doubt you will enjoy meeting and working with her. Please read her bio below:
Rebecca Fillingham is excited to be joining the Shawnee Mission North band staff as Assistant Director of Bands at North, and Director of Elementary Bands at five of the North area’s feeder schools. Mrs. Fillingham has been an instrumental music educator for more than a decade, with experience ranging from beginning band, to teaching and conducting students at the collegiate level. As the head director in the West Platte School District, Mrs. Fillingham developed and directed the entire band program, from starting beginners, developing the technique and musical sensitivity of intermediate students, and pushing high school musicians to fully realize their potential in responsibility, commitment and performance.
From 2012-2014, she worked as a Graduate Conducting Associate with the University of Central Missouri Bands, under the supervision and mentorship of Dr. Scott Lubaroff. In this capacity she spent a great deal of time rehearsing and conducting wind ensembles, assisting with marching band, and teaching undergraduate courses.
Prior to her graduate studies, Mrs. Fillingham spent seven years as a woodwind instructor and band clinician for Palen Music Center in Liberty, Missouri. This allowed her the opportunity to work one on one with students of all ability levels, as well as serve as guest clinician to area band programs. Many of her students were placed in area honor bands, as well as the Kansas City Youth Symphony, and earned I ratings at regional and state solo contests. She also served in the Monett School District, first as Assistant Director of Bands, and eventually as Director of Bands.
Mrs. Fillingham earned her undergraduate degree in music education at Missouri State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in the Honors College, and was a member of several honors fraternities. She played in many of the University Wind Ensembles, and was a drum major of the 350-piece Pride Band for two years.
Rebecca and her husband, Matt, have three energetic boys: Josiah-11, Robbie-9, and Kai-7. Matt, also a teacher and musician, teaches Math and assists with the band at North Kansas City High School. He is also an accomplished trombone player, playing with several area jazz bands. Their sons keep busy with school, soccer, swimming, music lessons, art, make-believe, and general rough-housing.
Welcome Ms. Fillingham!