Director of Bands
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Dean Patterson is in his second year as Director of Bands at Mill Creek High School. Previously, he was the Director of Bands at Riverwatch Middle School in Suwanee, GA where he oversaw all operations of the 700 member band program. The Riverwatch Symphonic Band has presented performances at the 2019 Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band Clinic, 2017 Midwest Clinic, 2017 Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival, 2016 NBA/CBDNA Southern Division Conference, and the 2015 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival. During his time as Director of Bands, the band program received the 2019 GMEA Exemplary Performance Award and had the highest number of students in school and state history earn positions in the GMEA All-State Band (34 in 2020) and District IX Honor Band (86 in 2020). Mr. Patterson is also a three time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence.
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For the past nine years, Mr. Patterson has been involved with Drum Corps International's two-time World Champions, Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He served as the group's head conductor (2011-2013), tour manager (2014), and tour director (2015-2017). Mr. Patterson currently enjoys serving as a clinician for the corps’ drum major camps in the Summer. During his time with the corps, Mr. Patterson received DCI's Jim Jones Leadership Award & Scholarship (2013) and the Mark Glasscoe Memorial Member of the Year Award (2013).
Mr. Patterson grew up in Lawrenceville and attended Collins Hill High School, where he graduated in 2010. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Professional affiliations include National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education. Mr. Patterson enjoys playing trumpet, running, golfing, and traveling.
Mr. Patterson grew up in Lawrenceville and attended Collins Hill High School, where he graduated in 2010. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Professional affiliations include National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education. Mr. Patterson enjoys playing trumpet, running, golfing, and traveling.
Associate DIRECTOR OF BANDS
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Hannah Cavender is in her second year as Associate Director of Bands at Mill Creek High School. Ms. Cavender conducts the Mill Creek Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and assists with all ensembles and assests of the band program. In addition to band, Ms. Cavender also teaches Music Technology. Prior to her appointment at Mill Creek, Ms. Cavender served as the Associate Director of Bands at Veterans High School in Kathleen, Georgia, for three years. While at Veterans, Ms. Cavender’s responsibilities included conducting the Wind Symphony, instructing freshman woodwinds and percussion, directing the jazz band, designing and teaching a music appreciation course, and assisting in all aspects of the marching band, three concert bands, and Winter Guard. The Veterans High School Warhawk Squadron, along with all concert bands, consistently
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received superior ratings at competitions and festivals. The Veterans High School Winter Guard was awarded 1st place at the Southern Association for Performance Arts Championships in 2019, during their inaugural season.
Ms. Cavender graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia in 2017. During her time at UGA, she studied saxophone under Dr. Connie Frigo and conducting under Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger. She was a member of the Hodgson Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band I, and an active participant in chamber music. Ms. Cavender was also member of the Redcoat Marching Band and served as drum major of the 435-member band in 2015 and 2016.
Ms. Cavender is a founding member and instructor for the Digital Drum Major Institute, a premier online training course for high school drum majors. The inaugural DDMI hosted over 210 participants from 18 different states across the country.
Ms. Cavender is a native of Franklin, Tennessee, where she graduated from Franklin High School in 2013. She was a member of the Franklin Band, a nationally recognized and Sudler Shield awarded band program. Her professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity for women.
Ms. Cavender graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia in 2017. During her time at UGA, she studied saxophone under Dr. Connie Frigo and conducting under Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger. She was a member of the Hodgson Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band I, and an active participant in chamber music. Ms. Cavender was also member of the Redcoat Marching Band and served as drum major of the 435-member band in 2015 and 2016.
Ms. Cavender is a founding member and instructor for the Digital Drum Major Institute, a premier online training course for high school drum majors. The inaugural DDMI hosted over 210 participants from 18 different states across the country.
Ms. Cavender is a native of Franklin, Tennessee, where she graduated from Franklin High School in 2013. She was a member of the Franklin Band, a nationally recognized and Sudler Shield awarded band program. Her professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity for women.