Chad Austin presently serves as assistant band director and percussion instructor for Brandon High School located in Brandon, Mississippi. His duties include teaching percussion for grades 6-12 and directing the high school concert band. Before coming to Brandon, Chad taught for nine years at Warren Central High School in Vicksburg, MS. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Mississippi State University where he studied with Dr. Robert Damm. While at Mississippi State, he performed with the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and The Famous Maroon Band.
While under his direction, the marching percussion at Warren Central earned consistent superior ratings and numerous percussion awards. In 2008, Chad started the school's very first indoor percussion ensemble. The group has gone on to medal in circuit finals each year of its existence. This includes earning the Mississippi Indoor Association gold medal in scholastic "A" in 2011 and the silver medal in "PSO" in both 2012 and 2013. The group also traveled to WGI World Championships in 2013.
Also under his direction, the Concert and Symphonic Bands have earned superior ratings at state and local festivals. In the spring of 2007 and 2008, he served as percussion coordinator and conductor for the Mississippi All-State Concert Band Percussion Ensemble. In 2009, he served as the percussion instructor for the Mississippi Lions All-State Band. Chad is a member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, Percussive Arts Society, MENC, and The Capital District Band Directors Association. He also serves as an educator artist for Yamaha, Evans Drumheads, and Innovative Percussion. A native of Forest, Mississippi, he currently resides in Brandon with his wife Renee.
