Directors

Jon Carney, Director of Bands

Mr. Jon Carney is the Director of Bands at New Palestine High School, overseeing all aspects of the NPHS Instrumental Program. Entering his twelfth year of teaching this year, Mr. Carney previously taught nine years in Beech Grove Schools and two years at Clifford Pierce Middle School, serving as Assistant Band Director at both locations. Prior to teaching, Mr. Carney marched Contra with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps for two years and attended Indiana State University, earning his Bachelor's in Music Education, and the University of Illinois, earning his Master's in Tuba Performance and Literature. Mr. Carney has had the opportunity to perform with professional symphony orchestras and brass chamber ensembles in Indiana and Illinois, has performed in Chicago's Orchestra Hall with the University of Illinois Wind Symphony, and was lucky enough to spend two weeks in Spain performing chamber music while attending the University of Illinois. When he's not at school, Mr. Carney enjoys spending time with his wife, Courtney, and two wonderful kids, Jackson and Harper.

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Andrew D. Wilson

Mr. Drew Wilson is the Director of Bands at New Palestine Junior High and Assistant Director of the the NPHS Marching Dragons. The band program at NPJH offers students the opportunity to learn and develop musical skills in 7th Grade Beginning Band and 8th Grade Band, along with extra-curricular Jazz Ensemble and Pep Band. The bands at NPJH are consistently awarded Gold ratings at ISSMA Organizational Contests.

Mr. Wilson is a graduate of Indiana State University where he was active in the trumpet studio and an alumni of The Glassmen drum and bugle corps. Prior to teaching at New Pal, Mr. Wilson taught at Pike Central MS/HS, Southport HS, and Perry Meridian MS.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Wilson enjoys home improvement projects, reading, hiking, and spending time with his wife Sara and children; Amberley, Emmitt, and Reece.

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Kelly Piacenti, Color Guard Director

Miss Kelly Piacenti serves as the New Palestine Color Guard Director. Kelly has been with the program for 2 years and comes to us with over 10 years of experience in the activity. Prior to teaching at New Pal, she has taught at Zionsville H.S., Greenfield Central H.S., and the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. Her marching experience includes Marian Catholic H.S. World from 2007-2011, Purdue University Winter Guard '11-'15, and the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps '13 and '14. A side from performing in the DCI and WGI circuit, she has had the opportunity to perform in the Macy's Day Parade, the Rose Bowl Parade, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. As director, Kelly plans to continue leading the group to achieve excellence on and off the field and grow the membership in the program. In her time outside of teaching, Kelly works full time as a commercial real estate property manager. She enjoys cooking, trail running, and traveling domestically & abroad.

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Justin Madren, Percussion Director

Mr. Justin Madren is the New Palestine Percussion Director for both The Jr. High and High School.  He attended Ivy Tech Community College, and also Indiana State University. Justin has been with the program since the fall of 2021. He has many things to offer with this experience in the marching activity and teaching. Prior to landing at New Pal, he taught at Vincennes Lincoln H.S. and Greenfield Central H.S. Justin has experience marching in WGI with Legacy Indoor Percussion and Veritas Indoor Percussion. As the Percussion Director, Justin plans to grow the program with confidence to make the atmosphere as enjoyable as possible. He wants the kids to want and desire to be in the program because they have a love for it. Justin soon hopes to push his percussion section to a world class competition level in the future. On the side of teaching percussion, Justin is an audio engineer and a music producer for many artists around the world.

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