Brian Westphal, Director of Bands
Mr. Westphal joined the faculty of Dodgen Middle School in 2013 as the Associate Director of Bands. He is currently completing his 19th year of teaching after serving as the Director of Bands at Marietta Middle School for 8 years. A graduate of Lassiter High School, Mr. Westphal is a product of Cobb County Schools and is proud to continue the tradition of excellence in this district. Dodgen's 7th & 8th Grade Bands consistently earn Superior ratings at District XII Large Group Performance Evaluation. Many Dodgen Band students also earn medals each year at state-sponsored events including Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluation, District Honor Band and the prestigious Georgia All-State Band.
Under Mr. Westphal’s direction, the Marietta Middle School (MMS) Band Program grew significantly in the number of students participating and in the level of musicianship. At Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District XII Large Group Performance Evaluations, his bands have received Superior ratings in concert performance and in sight-reading. His students have consistently earned Superior ratings at GMEA Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluations, received placements in the GMEA District 12 Honor Band, and participated in the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO). Through highly competitive auditions, Mr. Westphal has also had students earn positions in the Georgia All-State Band and in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s (ASO) Talent Development Program. The MMS Jazz and Flex Bands regularly performed for festivals on Marietta Square and various partner in education events. The MMS Band performed for Disney World Magic Music Days in 2009, 2011, 2013; the Charlotte Carowinds Music Festival 2006-2008; and the Six Flags Over Georgia Trills & Thrills Music Festival 2006-2013. Having served as the Site Director for Trills & Thrills Atlanta Music Festivals since 2006, Mr. Westphal hosted adjudications for over 10,000 student performers. Mr. Westphal has also been recognized as the Marietta Kiwanis Club Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award Winner in 2013 and the MMS Certified Employee of the Month in 2010 & 2012.
Mr. Westphal received his Bachelor of Arts in Music, Master of Music in Trombone Performance, and Teacher Certification with Honors from the University of Georgia in Athens (UGA). While at UGA, Mr. Westphal participated in virtually every instrumental ensemble on campus including the Redcoat Marching Band, Derbies Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra (SO), Trombone Choir, Georgia Brass Ensemble under the direction of Canadian Brass Founder Fred Mills, Odyssey Brass Quintet, Jazz Band and Salsa Band. He also served as Trombone Section Leader for Redcoats, Principal Trombonist in the SO and Wind Ensemble, and Soloist for the Wind Ensemble at the GMEA State In-Service Conference in 2005. Off campus, he was a Finalist in the audition for the Principal Trombone of the Macon SO and was invited to audition for the “President’s Own” US Marine Band. Mr. Westphal has performed with the Athens SO, Macon SO, Ludwig SO, Gwinnett SO and the Northwinds Symphonic Band. His principal trombone teachers include Bill Hill, former ASO Principal Trombonist Harry Maddox, Dr. Philip Jameson and current ASO Principal Trombonist Colin Williams. Mr. Westphal continues performing regularly with the Cobb Wind Symphony including performances at the International Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic, the National Band Association Regional Conference and the GMEA State In-Service Conference. Mr. Westphal is a member of the National Association for Music Education, GMEA and served on the Executive Committee of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity at UGA. Mr. Westphal also recently completed an Educational Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology from the University of West Georgia in July 2021.
Mr. Westphal’s passion for music making began to flourish as a student in the Lassiter High School Band under the direction of Alfred Watkins. While at Lassiter, Mr. Westphal was a member of the 1998 Bands of America Grand National Champion Marching Band, Symphonic I Band, Trombone Choir, Trombone Quartet, Brass Quintet, Jazz Band, Georgia All-State Band, District 12 Honor Band, and the Kennesaw State University Brass Ensemble. After graduating, he served on Mr. Watkins’ staff at Lassiter until 2011 including working with the 2002 BOA Grand National Champion Marching Band.
Mr. Westphal plays in the Cobb Wind Symphony and is an active clinician and freelance musician in the Metro area. He served 4 years as the Visual Caption Head for the Etowah High School Marching Band in Woodstock with his amazing wife Angela of 15 years who taught the Color Guard. Angela is also a Lassiter Band grad. They live in Canton with their daughter Ellen, labradoodle Brinkley, and cat Charlotte.
Under Mr. Westphal’s direction, the Marietta Middle School (MMS) Band Program grew significantly in the number of students participating and in the level of musicianship. At Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District XII Large Group Performance Evaluations, his bands have received Superior ratings in concert performance and in sight-reading. His students have consistently earned Superior ratings at GMEA Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluations, received placements in the GMEA District 12 Honor Band, and participated in the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO). Through highly competitive auditions, Mr. Westphal has also had students earn positions in the Georgia All-State Band and in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s (ASO) Talent Development Program. The MMS Jazz and Flex Bands regularly performed for festivals on Marietta Square and various partner in education events. The MMS Band performed for Disney World Magic Music Days in 2009, 2011, 2013; the Charlotte Carowinds Music Festival 2006-2008; and the Six Flags Over Georgia Trills & Thrills Music Festival 2006-2013. Having served as the Site Director for Trills & Thrills Atlanta Music Festivals since 2006, Mr. Westphal hosted adjudications for over 10,000 student performers. Mr. Westphal has also been recognized as the Marietta Kiwanis Club Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award Winner in 2013 and the MMS Certified Employee of the Month in 2010 & 2012.
Mr. Westphal received his Bachelor of Arts in Music, Master of Music in Trombone Performance, and Teacher Certification with Honors from the University of Georgia in Athens (UGA). While at UGA, Mr. Westphal participated in virtually every instrumental ensemble on campus including the Redcoat Marching Band, Derbies Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra (SO), Trombone Choir, Georgia Brass Ensemble under the direction of Canadian Brass Founder Fred Mills, Odyssey Brass Quintet, Jazz Band and Salsa Band. He also served as Trombone Section Leader for Redcoats, Principal Trombonist in the SO and Wind Ensemble, and Soloist for the Wind Ensemble at the GMEA State In-Service Conference in 2005. Off campus, he was a Finalist in the audition for the Principal Trombone of the Macon SO and was invited to audition for the “President’s Own” US Marine Band. Mr. Westphal has performed with the Athens SO, Macon SO, Ludwig SO, Gwinnett SO and the Northwinds Symphonic Band. His principal trombone teachers include Bill Hill, former ASO Principal Trombonist Harry Maddox, Dr. Philip Jameson and current ASO Principal Trombonist Colin Williams. Mr. Westphal continues performing regularly with the Cobb Wind Symphony including performances at the International Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic, the National Band Association Regional Conference and the GMEA State In-Service Conference. Mr. Westphal is a member of the National Association for Music Education, GMEA and served on the Executive Committee of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity at UGA. Mr. Westphal also recently completed an Educational Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology from the University of West Georgia in July 2021.
Mr. Westphal’s passion for music making began to flourish as a student in the Lassiter High School Band under the direction of Alfred Watkins. While at Lassiter, Mr. Westphal was a member of the 1998 Bands of America Grand National Champion Marching Band, Symphonic I Band, Trombone Choir, Trombone Quartet, Brass Quintet, Jazz Band, Georgia All-State Band, District 12 Honor Band, and the Kennesaw State University Brass Ensemble. After graduating, he served on Mr. Watkins’ staff at Lassiter until 2011 including working with the 2002 BOA Grand National Champion Marching Band.
Mr. Westphal plays in the Cobb Wind Symphony and is an active clinician and freelance musician in the Metro area. He served 4 years as the Visual Caption Head for the Etowah High School Marching Band in Woodstock with his amazing wife Angela of 15 years who taught the Color Guard. Angela is also a Lassiter Band grad. They live in Canton with their daughter Ellen, labradoodle Brinkley, and cat Charlotte.