Hillsdale Music Deptment

Mr. Spencer Caldwell Director

Mr. Caldwell is a native of San Diego. He graduated from Carlsbad HS where he managed to take every music class available. From Choir to Jazz Bands. His biggest influence was his director Rick Lorenzen. Who with one phone call changed his life, Mr. Caldwell was not only accepted to SDSU but treated like an athlete star. Mr Caldwell hopes that he too can affect a moment like this for all of his students. Mr. Caldwell studied music at San Diego State University where he was an active music student with Marching Bands, Concert Bands, Jazz bands, and jazz combos. Mr. Caldwell paid for his entire college education by teaching private lessons and performing in musicals throughout San Diego County. He has had opportunities to play with the likes of Chubby Checker, the Rockets, Chuck Findly, Charles McPherson and Eric Merinthol to name a few. He had major performance opportunities as well with Super Bowl XXIV, Holiday Bowl and Charger Football Games. Most recently Mr. Caldwell has played for the last 3 of 4 NCAA basketball tournaments for both USD, and SDSU taking him to Las Vegas. Providence Rhode Island and Stanford.

Mr. Caldwell began his professional teaching career as a student teacher at Helix High School where he directed and guest performed for their “Pops” concert. His first assignment was at Montgomery Middle/High School (South Bay). Earning "Teacher of the Year" in 1996. Mr. Caldwell then joined the Hillsdale Staff in 1997. The community, school, and students have for the last 14 years shown it's dedication and commitment to the arts. The formation of HMDPA is unique to middle school and is the pride and joy of the Hillsdale Community. Mr. Caldwell has continued to find professional success with runner up to teacher of the year in 2002 , CMEA "Jazz Educator of the Year" in 2003, and "Teacher of the Year" in 2005. Mr. Caldwell outside of Hillsdale is an active member of CMEA as the San Diego County Middle School Honor Band. Served as adjudicator the Middle School band festival, Grossmont High School District Honor Band auditions, and the CMEA Honor Band for last 10 years.

Mr. Carl Reed Orchestra/Intermediate Director/Drumline

Carl Reed is enjoying his 5th year here Hillsdale MS. His formal training was with Danlee Mitchell at San Diego State University. Carl has achieved many awards with his various ensembles. These would include; DAC Championships (marching percussion), Superior rated Percussion Ensembles, Soloists & Jazz Bands. For the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, Carl was a staff member and percussion arranger for the world record setting, 2000 piece marching band. Carl has also been honored with an induction to the Drums Across California (DAC) Hall of Fame in 2005. Carl has performed with such groups as the Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, SDSU Wind Symphony, SDSU Marching Band, S.D. County Orchestra & S.D. Mesa College Jazz Ensemble. Carl is currently a Marching Band Field Adjudicator for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Carl currently focuses most of his attention on teaching, but still performs throughout San Diego County.

Mr. Casey Hernandez Assistant Director/After School Choir

Mr. Hernandez is the newest addition to the Hillsdale Staff and an Alumni of Hillsdale Middle School. Mr. Hernandez conducting career started as a senior at Valhalla with the Choir. Mr. Hernandez has studied both instrumental as well as a vocal music since his freshmen year at VHS. At age 17 he was hired to teach the Elementary band at Dehesa Elementary. He also has been hired on staff at VHS teaching music theory. He has been an active performer with the USD Choir, USD pep band, Cuyamaca Choir, Cuyamaca Concert Band, The Jazz Ensemble, and Bone A Fide Brass. His was also a featured trombone soloist with the East County Youth Symphony. Mr. Hernandez is currently studying music at Cuyamaca College with the plan to someday be a music director.



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		Mr. Spencer Caldwell Director Mr. Caldwell is a native of San Diego. He graduated from Carlsbad HS where he managed to take every music class available. From Choir to Jazz Bands. His biggest influence was his director Rick Lorenzen. Who with one phone call changed his life, Mr. Caldwell was not only accepted to SDSU but treated like an athlete star. Mr Caldwell hopes that he too can affect a moment like this for all of his students. Mr. Caldwell studied music at San Diego State University where he was an active music student with Marching Bands, Concert Bands, Jazz bands, and jazz combos. Mr. Caldwell paid for his entire college education by teaching private lessons and performing in musicals throughout San Diego County. He has had opportunities to play with the likes of Chubby Checker, the Rockets, Chuck Findly, Charles McPherson and Eric Merinthol to name a few. He had major performance opportunities as well with Super Bowl XXIV, Holiday Bowl and Charger Football Games. Most recently Mr. Caldwell has played for the last 3 of 4 NCAA basketball tournaments for both USD, and SDSU taking him to Las Vegas. Providence Rhode Island and Stanford. Mr. Caldwell began his professional teaching career as a student teacher at Helix High School where he directed and guest performed for their “Pops” concert. His first assignment was at Montgomery Middle/High School (South Bay). Earning "Teacher of the Year" in 1996. Mr. Caldwell then joined the Hillsdale Staff in 1997. The community, school, and students have for the last 14 years shown it's dedication and commitment to the arts. The formation of HMDPA is unique to middle school and is the pride and joy of the Hillsdale Community. Mr. Caldwell has continued to find professional success with runner up to teacher of the year in 2002 , CMEA "Jazz Educator of the Year" in 2003, and "Teacher of the Year" in 2005. Mr. Caldwell outside of Hillsdale is an active member of CMEA as the San Diego County Middle School Honor Band. Served as adjudicator the Middle School band festival, Grossmont High School District Honor Band auditions, and the CMEA Honor Band for last 10 years. Mr. Carl Reed Orchestra/Intermediate Director/Drumline Carl Reed is enjoying his 5th year here Hillsdale MS. His formal training was with Danlee Mitchell at San Diego State University. Carl has achieved many awards with his various ensembles. These would include; DAC Championships (marching percussion), Superior rated Percussion Ensembles, Soloists & Jazz Bands. For the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, Carl was a staff member and percussion arranger for the world record setting, 2000 piece marching band. Carl has also been honored with an induction to the Drums Across California (DAC) Hall of Fame in 2005. Carl has performed with such groups as the Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, SDSU Wind Symphony, SDSU Marching Band, S.D. County Orchestra & S.D. Mesa College Jazz Ensemble. Carl is currently a Marching Band Field Adjudicator for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Carl currently focuses most of his attention on teaching, but still performs throughout San Diego County. Mr. Casey Hernandez Assistant Director/After School Choir Mr. Hernandez is the newest addition to the Hillsdale Staff and an Alumni of Hillsdale Middle School. Mr. Hernandez conducting career started as a senior at Valhalla with the Choir. Mr. Hernandez has studied both instrumental as well as a vocal music since his freshmen year at VHS. At age 17 he was hired to teach the Elementary band at Dehesa Elementary. He also has been hired on staff at VHS teaching music theory. He has been an active performer with the USD Choir, USD pep band, Cuyamaca Choir, Cuyamaca Concert Band, The Jazz Ensemble, and Bone A Fide Brass. His was also a featured trombone soloist with the East County Youth Symphony. Mr. Hernandez is currently studying music at Cuyamaca College with the plan to someday be a music director.


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