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.. He is also a sought after speaker and clinician for jazz bands, concert bands, and modern band programs and leads workshops in creative music making across the United States.
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. A successful experiment in student led music class, these students led their own rehearsals and formed their own bands. Enrollment increased from 37 students to 315 students in this time and students groups began performing independently in the San Antonio music scene.
For the previous decade he served as the director of bands at Eastland High School in Eastland, TX During his time at Eastland High School the band was a consistent UIL Sweepstakes band, advanced to state marching contests, and performed at the Texas Bandmasters Association convention and the Mid-west clinic as a demo group. More importantly, the band program had a distinct community focus and invested in preserving local history and performing at community events and venue.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.
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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