Jenny Denis
Director of Bands
denisj@friscoisd.org
Jenny Denis is currently in her 17th year as band director at Fowler Middle School, since it’s inauguration in 2007. Under her direction, the Symphonic Band and Honor Band have received UIL Sweepstakes Awards, First Division Trophies at Peak Music Festivals and named Best in Class. In 2024, Mrs.Denis was awarded Lifetime PTA membership for her collaboration and dedication to the Fowler PTA. In 2023, the Fowler Symphony Orchestra received 4th in the State of Texas under her direction. In 2010, Mrs. Denis was named a STAR teacher at Fowler by Principal Donnie Wiseman and was recognized in the school’s newsletter. Mrs. Denis attended The University of Texas at Austin where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Music Education. While at UT, she performed in the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jerry Junkin for 4 years, the UT Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, UT Basketball Band and Longhorn Marching Band. During her time in the Wind Ensemble, she played clarinet in the world premier of several major works featured on the professionally recorded CD, Bells for Stokowski, which was named one of The Best Classical CD’s of 2004 by the New York Times and earned a Golden Ear Award. She also performed in the premier of John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 3 “Circus Maximus” for large wind ensemble, commissioned by The School of Music at UT (recorded in 2006, released in 2009) and performed with the Wind Ensemble at the 2006 Texas Music Educators Convention in San Antonio. She also served as Treasurer of UT-MENC Student Chapter and President of Sigma Alpha Iota, Beta Xi Chapter in 2006-2007. Mrs. Denis’ professional affiliations include, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, National Association for Music Educators, International Clarinet Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Texas Exes Alumnae Association.
Mrs. Denis directs the Symphonic Band, and teaches the beginning flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone classes.
Donald Bruce
Assistant Director
of Bands
bruced@friscoisd.org
A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, Donald Bruce began his musical studies in the 3rd grade with the violin, joining the elementary school band in the 5th grade on the alto saxophone. At the end of middle school Mr. Bruce joined the brass section on the trombone, before eventually finding the euphonium his junior year in high school. Mr. Bruce earned placement in the New Hampshire All-State band (2yrs), All New-England Band (2yrs), New Hampshire Youth Wind Symphony (2yrs), and performed with the University of New Hampshire Symphonic band as a senior in high school.
In 2003 Mr. Bruce moved to the DFW area to study at the University of North Texas with world renowned euphonium performer and pedagogue, Dr. Brian Bowman. He graduated with his bachelor’s degrees in music education and euphonium performance in 2009, a master’s degree in 2015 and will finish his doctorate in euphonium performance this Fall. Mr Bruce has performed with the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band, UNT Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, UNT Concert Band, UNT Brass Band, UNT Symphonic band, and the University of North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene Corporon.
In 2009 Mr. Bruce accepted a position as a band director in Frisco ISD. Mr. Bruce served as an assistant director at Stafford and Griffin middle schools for one year before joining the staff at Fowler middle school from 2010-2013. Mr. Bruce’s concert and jazz bands have earned numerous accolades including UIL sweepstakes, band of the day, and placement at regional jazz festivals. Beginner students have gone on to study music at the high school and college levels with some of them starting their own careers as music educators recently. Bruce has experience teaching beginner brass and woodwind classes, concert bands, and jazz bands at the middle and high school levels. In addition to teaching band in the public schools, Mr. Bruce has served as a teaching fellow at the University of North Texas where he taught the brass methods course sequence for four years and has served as the professor of euphonium at the University of Texas at Arlington for the past five years. In addition to his college work, Mr. Bruce has maintained a private low brass studio between 40-70 students each week and has taught low brass lessons at schools throughout the DFW area.
Mr. Bruce has performed as a euphonium soloist and section member throughout the United States and Europe. Currently Mr. Bruce performs with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra under the baton of Eugene Corporon and is a member of the Dallas Winds under the direction of Jerry Junkin. Bruce has been a semi-finalist or finalist in the artist division at many of the most prestigious euphonium solo competitions in the world including, The Leonard Falcone Festival, The International Tuba-Euphonium Conference, The Potomac Festival, The Tubonium Regional ITEC, The Southwest Regional ITEC, and the University of North Texas Concerto Competition. Mr. Bruce has been featured as a soloist with numerous high school, middle school, and community bands and has performed solos with the UNT concert band, Symphonic Band, and recently, with the Dallas Winds. Mr. Bruce has also been an invitee and finalist for several military band auditions including The United States Army Field Band and the United States Air Force Band.
Mr. Bruce directs the Honor Band, Jazz Ensemble, and teaches the beginning trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba classes.
Matt Tremmel
Director of ms Percussion
tremmelm@friscoisd.org
Mr. Matthew Tremmel serves as the Assistant Percussion Director for the Lebanon Trail HS cluster, including Clark and Fowler MS.
Mr. Tremmel attended the University of Kentucky, studying with James Campbell for his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. At UK he was involved in nearly all aspects of the music program, performing with the Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Wind Symphony, Marching Band, Orchestra, Choirs, and Gamelan ensemble. He has written and arranged for percussion ensemble, including several pieces played at public performances and senior recitals at UK, and various high schools throughout Kentucky and Texas.
Mr. Tremmel’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
BENJI BAKER
Lths Cluster Percussion Director
bakerbe@friscoisd.org
Mr. Benji Baker is an active performer, educator, and arranger in the percussive community throughout United States and Internationally. His performance career has seen multiple appearances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) with various ensembles and as a participant in the marching competition. His arrangements have been performed by numerous ensembles across the United States, including clients such as the University of North Texas Green Brigade and various successful high school band programs nationwide.
Mr. Baker’s drum corps experience began at the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2009-11) and continued with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps (2012-15). He served as section leader for both ensembles and performed with SCV at PASIC in both 2012 and 2015. After aging out he served on staff with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician. Additionally he has served as front ensemble caption head and music designer for Roots Percussion Independent. He is currently the Front Ensemble Coordinator for the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps from Nashville, TN.
In recent years, Mr. Baker joined the cast of the Tony and Emmy Award winning Broadway Show, “Blast!” (www.blasttheshow.com) He has performed three tours in Japan with the company as “Percussion Swing” with regularly sold out crowds.
Mr. Baker has been fortunate enough to study with great percussionists such as Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Sandi Rennick, Christopher Deane, Dr. Robert Schietroma, Dr. Eric Willie, Ed Smith, Jeff Ausdemore, and Ralph Hardimon. He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and the Texas Music Educators Association. Mr. Baker holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music Degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Mr. Baker is proud to be sponsored by Innovative Percussion, Sabian Cymbals, and Dynasty/Titan.