Teaching Artist Statement

teach because the most important people in my life outside of my two grandmothers have all been teachers. I teach band because I believe it is the ideal medium for students, especially young people, to connect, to learn community, and to create. Sometime around fifth grade, my grandmother, who had been my primary caretaker passed away. From that time on, things connected to my home life became a bit chaotic and school became more than just a place to learn, it was a bit of a refuge. In middle school my teachers were particularly important to me providing encouragement, unconditional care and wraparound support that was missing sometimes at home. In my band classes in particular I was able to be a part of a community of learners who were working hard, not to compete against one another, but to collectively create something we could all be proud of ands share with our our school and the broader community. In that effort, I had opportunities not only to share my musical talent and learning but to serve in a variety of leadership capacities at the high school and college levels, supporting the musical and personal development of my peers. When a college mentor said choose career I would do for free if money were not an issue, it was am easy decision to pay back what was paid to me and become a band teacher.

I believe we all have a deep-seated desire to create and to connect. Music provides an opportunity for us to do both. While musical giftedness may be more obvious in some individuals than others, I believe that music is a part of each of us and each of us has some sort of mystical aptitude that can be developed. I hope that from working with me my students of all ages learn to appreciate art, to see themselves as artists, and to see the musical potential in themselves and others. I hope that they learn to better function as productive members of a community, to appreciate diversity, and to be willing to risk making mistakes in order to learn and grow. I endeavor to provide music making opportunities and experiences that are highly collaborative, where it is evident that we value community over conformity, and where the overall experience is not only musically rigorous, but is reflective and celebrative of the beautiful diversity of the communities in which they are situated.

Teaching Bio

The initial seeds for Marcus’ career as a music educator were planted first as a student and later as volunteer staff member with the Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band. Following the advice of a mentor who suggested he choose a career he would do for free if money were not an issue, he pursued undergraduate training to become a band teacher, completing his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees at the University of Washington in 2002. From 2002-2015, he served as a full time music teacher in the Seattle Public Schools teaching concert band, marching band, jazz band, steel drums, string orchestra and occasionally choir before eventually leaving the classroom to become a principal and district administrator. He earned his Masters of Education in 2015 from the University of Washington and his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 2021.. Dr. Pimpleton currently serves as Executive Director of Secondary Schools for the Marysville School District.

While no longer teaching music full time, Marcus continues to spend his summers serving as Director of the Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band and during the school year as an assistant director with the University of Washington Athletic Band program. He is occasionally invited to serve as an adjudicator and guest clinician with school bands, school band festivals, and parades.

Performance Bio

Marcus doesn’t do much personal performing beyond occasionally sitting in on keyboards and leading a worship service, but as a band director, he typically coordinates 15-20 performances annually for the Seattle All-City Band including performances in local parades, community festivals, and tours. His bands have performed extensively throughout the Puget Sound region and participated in performance tours to British Columbia, Hawaii, New York, Washington D.C. Marcus can also occasionally be found serving as a guest conductor of a Husky Pep Band performing at a University of Washington basketball game or volleyball match.