Stephen Holland is in his 33th year as Director of Bands at Dowling Catholic High School.
When he began in 1989 the instrumental music program had an enrollment of 52 students. Today there are more than 140 students involved in the marching band and the program includes two concert bands, two-three jazz bands, drumline, several percussion ensembles, numerous chamber music ensembles, pep band, musical pit orchestra, colorguard, winter guard, and indoor drumline.
Mr. Holland conducts the Symphony Band, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Brass Choir, various chamber brass ensembles, and serves as the Executive Director of the instrumental music program.
He holds degrees from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.
Nicholas Hoover is in his 18th year as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion at Dowling Catholic High School. He is a graduate of Iowa State University where he studied with Dr. Barry Larkin and Dr. Michael Golemo, and received his Bachelor of Music degree.
Mr. Hoover teaches the Dowling Catholic Vanguard (Marching Band), courses in Concert Band, Jazz II, Music Theory, Music History, Percussion Methods, and directs the drumline and the pit orchestra for the Dowling spring musical. As the Percussion Director, he oversees a studio of 20 percussionists, teaching lessons and ensembles.
Under the direction of Mr. Hoover, the Dowling Catholic Vanguard has earned consecutive division I superior ratings at the 4A State Marching Band Festival and numerous awards in competition, including 32 percussion caption awards in the last 12 years. His Freshmen/Sophomore Concert Band has received Division I ratings at the class 4A State Large Group Festival three times. Under his direction, The Dowling Catholic Vanguard Drumline had the honor of representing Iowa at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2007, 2009, and 2012.
Mr. Hoover’s students and ensembles have earned many division I superior ratings at the State Solo and Ensemble Festival, won many individual honors at the Perry Band Olympics, performed at the Iowa Day of Percussion numerous times, and have individually placed among the nation’s best at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
Mr. Hoover’s drumline experience includes leadership as captain of the Iowa State Drumline, a Drum Corps International finalist member of the Colts in both 1994 and 1995, and a member of the Glassmen Drumline in 1999 under the direction of Lee Beddis. Mr. Hoover has also performed as a soloist at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention snare solo contest.
As a clinician Mr. Hoover has given clinics for schools in the Des Moines area, performed/lectured at several conference sessions including multiple All-State percussion preparation clinics, snare drum rudiment lesson clinics, a snare drum beginner method book clinic, and clinic/performances with the Dowling Catholic percussion ensemble at the IBA Convention in 2009 and 2013.
Memberships include the Iowa Bandmasters Association, South Central Iowa Bandmasters association, and Percussive Arts Society. He resides in Ankeny, IA with his wife Mary, and children Jay, Miles, Simon and Ann.