MR. DARREN LONEY is the Director of Instrumental Music at Gahr High School in Cerritos, California. He oversees the Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Color Guard, Winter Guard, Percussion Ensemble, and Winter Drumline. After reinstating the competitive marching band program in 2013, the Gahr High School Marching Band has been undefeated in the CSBC Circuit, being crowned the “California State Band Grand Champions” in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Mr. Loney's concert and jazz ensembles have consistently received superior ratings for performance and sight-reading at SCSBOA adjudicated festivals, and the Winter Guard and Winter Drumline programs have been finalists in WGASC and SCPA, respectively. Before his tenure at Gahr High School, Mr. Loney spent four years as the band director at La Quinta High School in La Quinta, CA.

Mr. Loney was recently awarded the “Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence” from the National Band Association for outstanding contributions to marching bands. Mr. Loney was named 2014-15 “Teacher of the Year” at Gahr High School, and before that the 2010-11 “Teacher of the Year” at La Quinta High School. Under his direction, the Gahr High School Instrumental Music Program received the “NAMM Support Music Merit Award” in 2018 for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Mr. Loney holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach, where he studied trombone performance with James Miller, principal trombonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. During his credential work, he was the inaugural recipient of the Bob Cole Conservatory “Music Education Award." He completed Level II Kodály Certification studying Kodály methodology, solfege, conducting, and folk song analysis. In addition to teaching, he is an avid arranger, composer, and drill writer for ensembles throughout Southern California. Mr. Loney is currently on the design staff and brass instructional team for the Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps.

Mr. Loney holds membership in the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association, California Music Educators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the International Thespian Society, and the Golden Key International Honor Society. He has presented as a guest speaker at conferences for SCSBOA and the Kansas Bandmasters Association. Loney resides in Lakewood with his beautiful wife Laura and daughter Lauren.

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