The Gorham Forum

Palen Music Center is proud to announce a new mentorship program for area band directors. David Gorham is a PMC staff member and OBA Hall of Fame band director. He was the long-time Director of Bands at Owasso, Oklahoma, is an accomplished composer, and the recipient of multiple awards and honors.

David is available for private, weekly, 30-minute video coaching sessions. Topics will include rehearsal techniques, literature selection, staff development, and many additional topics. The goal is to help support the program with specific suggestions, practical tips, and proven strategies. The program is limited to the first four band directors that sign up for the year. The cost for the entire school year is $1,000.00. In order to sign up or to have questions answered, please contact Eric Matzat at ematzat@palenmusic.com or call (417) 234-2524.

David Gorham served as Director of Bands at Owasso High School from 1989- 2014, where he oversaw the entire band program including the wind ensemble, the Pride of Owasso marching band, and AP Music Theory. The ensembles under his leadership have all earned Superior ratings at every region and state event for 30 consecutive years. The Owasso Wind Ensemble performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 1999 and 2012, and was selected as an Oklahoma Music Educator’s Association Honor Group seven times. The band program was awarded the Sudler Flag of Honor and Sudler Shield by the Sousa Foundation. They are the only program in Oklahoma to be honored with both awards. The marching band made three appearances in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade under his leadership, and was named the Overall Best Band in the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. In addition, they were named finalists at Bands of America Regionals in St. Louis, Arlington, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Grand Nationals Championships. In 2012, they were the BOA St. Louis Super-Regional Champions. In 1982, Mr. Gorham received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas. He received his Master of Music Education from the University of Arkansas in 1993 and was selected as the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Director of the Year for 1997. In addition, he was the 1988 ASBDA-Stanbury Award winner for Arkansas and the 1992 ASBDA-Stanbury Award winner for the South Central Region. In 2006, Mr. Gorham was the 2006 Section 6 recipient of the Outstanding Music Educator Award by the National Federation of High Schools. He was a recipient of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Exemplary Teacher award in 2010, and Bandworld Legion of Honor Laureate in 2011. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu and the American Bandmasters Association. Mr. Gorham has over 85 published works for concert band, published by Wingert-Jones Music Co., C. L. Barnhouse, and Southern Music Company.