WHY BAND MATTERS
Music is not only fun. It is fun with important and far-reaching benefits. Students
participating in music during their school years have a substantial advantage over
non music students. Music and success go hand in hand. Research reflects that
students who are actively involved in music regularly may expect the following:
 Score higher in math and reading.
 Excel in math and science because of the reasoning and cognitive
skills developed by music.
 Score significantly higher on SATs. One study found that a four
year art/music student will score 91 points better than a nonparticipating peer. (Scores of 1070 vs. 979, respectively).
 Learn valuable life skills like goal-setting, concentration and
cooperation.
 Receive better grades and reduce the likelihood of dropping out of
high school.
 Improved memory and coordination.
 U.S. employers rate creativity and innovation among the top five
skills needed to succeed in business.

85% of surveyed business executives indicated having difficulty
recruiting individuals who possess creative ability.
 Music education is valuable and necessary. An investment in
music education is an investment in this nation’s future.
CUT 3 INCHES
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
THE FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM has built an extensive history in its 13 short
years of existence. Since the opening of the school in 1999, the FHS Band program has set
the standard of excellence and achievement in Clark County.
The following is a brief list of the activities of the Foothill High School Band Department with Awards and
Accolades from the 2012-13 school year, along with 2013-14 school year so far.
Foothill Awards 2013 – 2014 (as of 11/19/13)
Marching Band
1st Place Open/Class and Overall - Henderson Band Fest in Henderson, NV
1st Place Open/Class and Overall - Showdown at Silverado in Las Vegas, NV
1st Place Open Class - Summerlin Spectacular in Las Vegas, NV
1st Place Open Class - Tournament on the Turf in Las Vegas, NV
Finalist - Bands of America Regional Championship in St George, UT
Finalist and 2nd place 4A - Bands of America Regional Championship in Long Beach, CA
Indoor Drum Line
Will perform with Trace Adkins and Kenny Aranoff at the American Country Awards at
Mandalay Bay
Foothill Awards 2012 – 2013
Marching Band
1st Place Open/Class and Overall - Showdown at Silverado in Las Vegas, NV
1st Place Open Class - Summerlin Spectacular in Las Vegas, NV
1st Place Open/Class and Overall – Sounds Across the Valley in Las Vegas, NV
3rd Place Overall – Red Rocks Competition in St. George. UT (38 bands from 7 states)
3rd Place Finalist - Bands of America Regional Championship in St. George, UT
Finalist - Bands of America Regional Championship in Southern CA
Winter Guard
2nd Place – SNWGA Competition at Coronado HS in Henderson, NV
2nd Place – SNWGA Competition at Sierra Vista HS in Las Vegas, NV
2nd Place – WGASC Competition at Clark HS in Las Vegas, NV
2nd Place – SNWGA Championships in Las Vegas, NV
Participant – WGASC Championships in Southern California
Indoor Drum Line
1st Place – SNIPA Competition at Sierra Vista HS in Las Vegas, NV
1st Place – SNIPA Competition at Coronado HS in Henderson, NV
1st Place – SNIPA Competition at Clark HS in Las Vegas, NV
3rd Place – WGI Southwest Championships in San Bernardino, CA
1st Place – SNIPA Championships in Las Vegas, NV
Finalilst in Scholastic A at WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio
CCSD Honor Bands – 26 Foothill Students selected (more than any comprehensive high school)
Nevada ALL –STATE Ensembles – 12 Foothill Students selected by audition
Music Department – Semi-Finalist for the Grammy Signature Schools Award multiple years
Wind Symphony – Superior Ratings at CCSD Concert Band Festival multiple years
Jazz Ensemble - Superior Ratings at the CCSD Jazz Festival in Las Vegas, NV multiple years
Internationally recognized for their excellence in percussion and marching, FHS Band is one of four ensembles
in the United States chosen to test new marching percussion equipment from the Tama Drum Company.
BAND DIRECTORS
Travis Pardee, Director of Bands
TRAVIS PARDEE is the Director of Bands and Arts Department Chair at Foothill High
School where he conducts the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensembles,
Marching Band and guides all aspects of the Foothill Band program. Prior to his
appointment at Foothill High School, Mr. Pardee attended Wichita State University in
Wichita, Kansas where he received the Bachelor's Degree in Music Education (BME)
as well as the Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance (BM - Saxophone). While at
WSU, Mr. Pardee studied conducting with Dr. Victor Markovich, Jay Decker, and
Michael Palmer. As a saxophonist, Pardee appeared with the Wichita Symphony
Orchestra and studied with Jean Lansing and Tom Fowler. Mr. Pardee studied voice with Linda Starkey, Vernon
Yenne, and Ronald Boudreaux in addition to serving as the Assistant Choral Director of St. Paul's United
Methodist Church of Wichita, KS. In 2002, Mr. Pardee completed the Master's Degree in Instrumental
Conducting (MM) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Mr. Pardee studied conducting with Professor
Thomas G. Leslie and Takayoshi ‘Tad’ Suzuki.
During his nine years at Foothill High School, Travis has created outstanding music ensembles that have
consistently garnered recognition. His concert and jazz ensembles consistently receive Superior Ratings at
music festivals and he has built the largest competitive marching band in Nevada. In 2006, Travis Pardee was
named “Distinguished Educator” by Henderson Mayor, James B. Gibson and received Congressional
Recognition from Congresswoman Shelly Berkley and Congressman Jon Porter as well as Senatorial
Recognition from Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid. Mr. Pardee is the Past President of the Southern
Nevada Band Association (SNBA), served as Clinics Coordinator for the Nevada Music Educators Association
(NMEA), is Chair of the CCSD Honor Band Committee, is the Executive Director of the Southern Nevada Winter
Guard Association (SNWGA) and is a member of Music Educators National Conference (MENC).
Travis Pardee, Director of Bands
(702) 799-3500 x4040
[email protected]
Nick Waters, Associate Director of Bands
NICK WATERS holds a B.M. Music Education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas
and currently is the Associate Director of Bands at Foothill H.S. in Henderson, NV. In
2010 and 2011 the Foothill H.S. Indoor Drumline was the WGI Western Champions and
a Finalist at the W.G.I. World Championships in Dayton, OH. Mr. Waters is the
Coordinator of the Southern Nevada Indoor Percussion Association and a Clark County
School District Honor Band Co- Chair. Previously, Mr. Waters was the Drumline
Instructor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas from 2002-2005, and has worked with
All-State award winning percussion ensembles in the Las Vegas area. A native from
Chicago, IL, Mr. Waters has worked with W.G.I. former Champion Lincoln-Way H.S., The
Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, and B.O.A. Grand National Champion Marian
Catholic H.S. Mr. Waters continues to be an active arranger/ composer and clinician for
many colleges and high schools across the nation and an Adjudicator for the American Drumline Association in
southern California as well as other organizations in the Southwest. Nick Waters has been working closely with
Tom Float and TAMA drums developing their new line of marching percussion. He is also endorsed by,
Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, and Sabian Cymbals.
Nick Waters, Associate Director of Bands/Percussion Instructor
(702) 799-3500 ext. 4040
[email protected]
ELECTED OFFICERS
FALCON BAND BOOSTER OFFICERS serve without financial compensation.
President – Christa Bilbrey
Christa graduated from UNLV with a bachelor's degree in hotel administration. She has 2 daughters, ages 15 &
17, the youngest being a French horn player and the oldest being a flute player and drum major, both in the
Foothill Band. Christa is the Senior Manager of Forward Planning at KB Home where she has worked for 14
years. She was a musician in high school band so she has a life-long passion for music. Christa is very excited
to be part of the Falcon Band Booster organization.
Vice-President – Sharon Rudd
Sharon was born and raised in Henderson. She is a graduate of Basic High School. She has been an office
manager in the dental field of endodontics for 30 years. She is married to a Captain of the Clark County Fire
Department and has three girls, one of which is a bassoon player in the band at Foothill High School. She loves
spending quality time with her family and loves the outdoors. She is dedicated in supporting her children’s
goals and accomplishments in their lives.
Treasurer – Karen Topham
Karen is originally from Utah, but has lived in Henderson for the past 13 years. She studied at Utah State
University and Brigham Young University, with her major in Psychology. She was a member of the Orem High
School Marching Band as well as the Utah State University Aggie Marching Band, and a member of the USU
Wind Ensemble. Band and music have been a big part of her life for the last 28 years. Karen has five children
with husband Jed, two of whom are presently in the band program at Foothill High School, with another three
soon to follow in their older siblings footsteps. Elissa plays the bassoon in Wind Symphony as well as marimba
and bass drum in marching band/indoor drumline. Madison plays the oboe in Wind Symphony and is a
member of the Color Guard as well. Karen also helps manage the books for her husband’s veterinary clinic,
and enjoys being a stay-at-home mom. She is excited about and dedicated to making the band kids
experiences at Foothill amazing!
Secretary – Colleen Hutchinson
Colleen is the mother of four children who have all attended Foothill High School. Three have graduated, and
her youngest, Ethan, is currently a junior. Colleen earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young
University in Recreation and Youth Leadership. She understands the impact music and performing arts have
on children's academic and social development, and is the former director of a musical theater group for 180
children ages 3-17. She currently owns and operates TravelHutch, a leisure travel agency. She and her
husband Marshall, are proud fifth year Falcon Band Boosters!
Historian – Janina Taylor
Janina attended UNLV and CCSN, majoring in Business and Nursing. Janina and her husband Steve own
Lextech, a successful business specializing in Lexus and Toyota. They have been servicing families in
Henderson and the greater Las Vegas area for over 20 years. They have two children, Katelynn and Carson,
ages 17 and 11. Katelynn currently plays the marimba and bass drum in the Foothill Band. Janina was in the
LVHS Wildcat Marching Band and comes from a long line of musical performers. It’s a blessing to see her
daughter now follow in her footsteps and express the same overwhelming feeling of passion for the art of
music. Janina is proud to be a part of such a successful, award-winning band program.