Max Jones

 

 

 

 

MAX JONES, who took a sabbatical to work with the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band in the fall of 2005, was named to the position of Assistant Professor of Bands at Purdue University in 2006, replacing retired Professor Bill Kisinger. He served as the assistant director of the marching band, director of Symphonic Band and Boiler Brass. In addition, he supervised the Partners in Music Education program and the Clothing Office. In 2011, Mr. Jones was appointed Recruitment, Education and Outreach Coordinator at Purdue University in the University Bands department. He continues to serve as the assistant director of the marching band, director of Boiler Brass, coordinator of the Partners in Music Education program, and supervisor of the Clothing Office.

His teaching career began at Monroe Central HS (1968-70) followed by 13 years at Winchester Community HS (1970-83), two years at Southport HS, and 21 years at Concord Community HS in Elkhart (1985-2006) where he served as Director of Music. Mr. Jones retired in 2006 after 38 years of public school music education in Indiana. His marching bands were among the finest in the nation, placing first in the Indiana State School Music Association state marching band competition eight times, and state runners-up 9 times. Mr. Jones' Winchester Marching Band, "the Force", won the prestigious 1977 Great Bands of the Orange Bowl national championship. Over the years, his Winchester and Concord marching bands performed numerous times in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Orange Bowl Parade in Miami, the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix, the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the Gimble's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. Mr. Jones’ Concord Marching Band was the subject of author Kristen Laine’s book, American Band, a portrait of life in the nation’s heartland as seen through the lens of a unique American ritual.

Symphonic bands directed by Mr. Jones at Concord High School and Southport High School were state finalists in the Indiana State School Music Association concert band state finals many times during his tenure, placing as high as third on several occasions. All of his bands consistently earned ‘Superior’ ratings at ISSMA contests.

Mr. Jones served as President of the Indiana State School Music Association four times during his career, President of Phi Beta Mu Gamma Chapter, and was a member of IBA, IMEA, Purdue University Bands Advisory Board, the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade Committee, and Assistant Coordinator for the Indiana State Fair Band Day. In 1991, he received the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award, and in 2004 was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame.

Mr. Jones is a graduate of Ball State University and earned his B.M. in Education from Ball State as an organ major in 1967 followed by his M.M. in Education in 1969.

Max and his wife Dianne, a retired elementary music teacher, reside in Lafayette and are the parents of son Gavin - a 2005 graduate of Purdue University and freelance photographer currently working in New York City.

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