This Years Senior High Conductor (2025)

Don Simpson is a professional percussionist, educator, composer, and arranger. His skills in percussion are vast, ranging from jazz drum set to classical keyboard percussion and everything in between. Don earned his BM in Jazz Studies from Rowan University in 2004 and is a sought-after drummer in many environments. He is the drummer for the wedding/party band Mystery Machine, leader of the jazz combo The Don Simpson Trio, and independently plays a number of theater and other live performances. 

When he is not performing, Don is serving as Director of Instrumental Music for Gateway Regional High School in Woodbury Heights, NJ. His marching and indoor ensembles have collectively won over 25 championships in 34 competitive seasons. He previously served as Director of Percussion Studies for Triton Regional High School, earning 13 championships in 16 seasons. As a composer, his works for marching band and percussion ensemble consistently win awards at the regional and national levels. Don has written award-winning compositions for numerous highschools throughout the country, including Rowan University’s Percussion Ensemble and Lab Band.

Don and his wife of 16 years Leigh met playing music together and live in Swedesboro, NJ. When not behind the drums you can find him behind the glass, cheering on their son Adam, an ice hockey goalie and multi-instrumentalist.

This Years Junior High Conductor (2025)

Andrew Owen

Andy Owens has been teaching music in South Jersey for 25 years.  The past 20 of those years have been spent working at Ann A Mullen Middle school in the Gloucester Township school district.  He has taught General Music couses, conducted the choir and directed the musical.  He currently teaches the instrumental music students and conducts the bands.  He previously taught at King’s Christian school conducting choirs and handbells.  He has also been the music director of the churches he has attended for the past several years.  

Andy holds a bachelors degree in church music from Cairn University and a master’s degree in conducting from Indiana University.  He lives in South Philly with his wife, four children and two dogs.  In his spare time he enjoys playing the guitar and watching his children perform.  Andy is excited for the opportunity to conduct this year’s Olympic Conference Middle School Honors band and looks forward to conducting the All South Jersey Middle School Honors band in March.