Aaron Snipes, III
Director of Bands
During his 12 year tenure as Director of Bands, the Park Vista Band program more than tripled in size, now including approximately 250 students in the program. Mr. Snipes directed 3 concert bands, 2 jazz bands, a world class competitive marching band, 3 winterguard teams, and an indoor percussion group, all without any assistant director. Through his leadership, the PV band program has been recognized as one of the most elite programs in the state of Florida and the entire Southeastern United States. The Park Vista marching band, affectionately known as “The Performers”, is a nationally ranked marching band and is a perennial Bands of America Super Regional Finalist. The Performers were crowned as the Florida State Champions for 3 consecutive years before he made the move to teach in Texas. Additionally, they had a lasting streak of being undefeated in the State of Florida for 4 years straight, under his leadership. Mr. Snipes most recently led the Performers to represent the State of Florida in the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which was viewed by over 50 million viewers from around the country. The Park Vista concert and jazz bands all receive Superior (First Division) ratings annually at the District and State Music Performance Assessments. Each year, the PV bands received the Otto J. Kraushaar Award which is an award given to only 2% of bands in Florida for outstanding achievement in every facet of the program. In 2017, Mr. Snipes himself was selected as a Palm Beach County Dwyer Award Finalist. This award is the highest award that any educator can receive within the Palm Beach County School District.
During the summer of 2017, Mr. Snipes relocated to Little Elm, Texas to become the head band director of Braswell High School in the Denton ISD. Since moving to Braswell HS, the Braswell HS band has grown from 75 students to its current size of approximately 230 students. The Braswell Bands have consistently earned Superior Sweepstakes ratings at UIL events in the areas of concert & marching band and recently were named as a Commended Winner of the coveted Mark of Excellence National Honors. Mr. Snipes’ professional affiliations include being a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, American School Band Directors Association, Minority Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, and an active member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a certified state of Florida adjudicator in the areas of concert, jazz, and marching. Even in the midst of a very hectic teaching schedule, Mr. Snipes remains active as a clinician, adjudicator and arranger. He is looking forward to the next chapter of his career and creating a culture of excellence and achievement within the Braswell cluster. In his limited spare time, Mr. Snipes enjoys traveling and spending time with his mini-goldendoodle, Koda.
Aaron Snipes, III, was born in Frankfurt, Germany and is a native of Americus, Georgia. From a very young age, Mr. Snipes began to cultivate his musical gifts and talents and by age 5 was playing the piano, even before he could reach the pedals. These musical beginnings only grew and multiplied throughout his grade school education. After graduating high school in the top percentage of his class, Mr. Snipes attended the prestigious Florida State University College of Music where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree. He later earned his Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas. While at FSU, Mr. Snipes studied trombone with Dr. John Drew and studied conducting with Dr. James Croft and Dr. Patrick Dunnigan. He also studied jazz piano with Bill Peterson and Jose Bevia. Mr. Snipes was very active in the FSU School of Music. He was a member of the Marching Chiefs, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, the University Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and many other large groups and chamber ensembles. After graduating from FSU with honors and a music education degree, it was time for Mr. Snipes to inspire and motivate students through music. While interning in South Florida with Mr. Randy Sonntag (FBA Hall of Fame member), Mr. Snipes was hired as the Head Director of Bands at Park Vista High School in Lake Worth, FL.