Teacher, Clinician, Speaker, Musician, 2022 Grammy Music Educator
Stephen T. Cox
Biography
Stephen T. Cox is the Director of Music Education for the Willis Wonderland Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization founded in memory of legendary songwriter Allee Willis. Mr. Cox develops programs and curriculum around music education and songwriting for the foundation, with materials launching at WillisWonderland.org in July 2024. He is also a sought after speaker and clinician for jazz bands, concert bands, and modern band programs.
From 2022-2024 Mr. Cox had the privileged of launching a student centered band program in the oldest public school campus in San Antonio including both wind and rhythm section instruction with a modern band philosophy. For the previous decade he served as the director of bands at Eastland High School in Eastland, TX A graduate of Howard Payne University, Mr. Cox has been featured in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine's 50 Directors who make a difference and was the winner of the Grammy Music Educator Award in 2022.
As a speaker he has given clinics on the topics of educational technology, community engagement, small school education, student ownership, and preparing students for majoring in music at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, the Technology Institute for Music Education, Minnesota Bandmasters Association, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, The New Mexico Band Director's Association, and the Midwest Clinic. In his time at Eastland, the high school band was community centered and recognized as a consistent high quality rural school program. They also performed at the Midwest clinic and Texas Bandmasters Association conventions.
Core to his teaching philosophy, Mr. Cox believes that fine arts programs should be integral to their communities, that students should have as much control as possible, and that our ultimate goal is to give students the skills they need to chart their own path in life.
Mr. Cox is married to Stephanie Cox, visual art teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, TX. They have three amazing children, Aubree, Chuck, and Caesar.
Video
Science of Student Motivation
the science behind motivating students: Self-determination Theory
School Administrators Try Band Things
Check out our administrators trying to "band"
Grammy Interview
Glimpse the Future:
What Music Ed Looks Like in 20 years
Jazz Improvisation Tips and Tricks
Clinic presented at the Hill Country Jazz Festival in Fredricksburg, TX April 23rd, 2023
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