Educator, Musician, Arranger
Darrell Boyer began teaching at Potosi R-3 Schools in 2012 where he was hired as Assistant Band Director. His teaching responsibilities at Potosi include assisting with the High School marching band, directing the PHS Jazz and JEMS Jazz Bands, Guitar Class, Beginning Clarinet and Saxophone. In the short time enrollment in the Jazz bands have doubled.
During the summer Darrell is the Director of the Impact Drum Major Camp. Currently in its fourth year, the camp helps to prepare student leaders to successfully lead their marching band. He has made it his mission to reinvigorate the student leader position and provide quality instruction for students in the area. Over the past three years there have been 40 participants in the camp. Participants have taken home multiple awards for their conducting and showmanship over the past three years.
Darrell is a member of the Mineral Area Kicks Band and performs with the group in the area. The Mineral Area Kicks is made up of Music Educators and enthusiasts from the area and performs on a regular basis. The Kicks Band was formed in 1978 by Mr. Michael O' Brien as a nonperforming opportunity for area directors and community members to continue playing their instruments. IN the early 1980's the band began public performances and with the advent of the Mineral Area Jazz Festival at MAC in 1986, became the house band for the guest artists. The Kicks Band has performed with numerous jazz artists over the years. Among them have been Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Bill Watrous, Phil Woods, Wayne Bergeron, Jon Faddis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Pete Christlieb, Lou Marini, Bobby Shew, Conrad Herwig, Kim Park, Reggie Thomas, Denis DiBlasio, and many others. Past directors of the Kicks Band include Mr. Michael O' Brien, Mr. Dan Stecker, and Mr. Scott Harris. The current director Dan Schunks has served in that position since the fall of 1993. The Kicks Band rehearses Wednesday evenings at Mineral Area College throughout the school year. This community group has been recognized for their playing and was selected to perform for the Missouri Music Educators Association's convention in January 2014.
Darrell earned a Bachelors in Music Education from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. While there he studied saxophone under Mr. Randall Hamm, participated in the 350+ member Missouri State PRIDE Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, and numerous Jazz bands. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Teaching with an Emphasis in Technology through Southeast Missouri State University.
His professional affiliations include Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA), Missouri Bandmasters Association (MBA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Missouri Association for Jazz Education (MOAJE), Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA).