Rosalind Thacker Director of Bands, Steubenville High School Rosalind Thacker is an Ohio Music Educator with ties to Northwest, and East-Central Ohio. An active conductor and performer, she is a member of the Saluting America’s Band Directors Marching Band performing at the 2022 Rose Parade and the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, performs with the Tri-State Community Band and was chosen to direct the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) All-Star Marching Band. Mrs. Thacker is an active member of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). She was a member of the OMEA District 2 Commission Committee, was an Adjudicated Event Site Chair, and an adjudicator/clinician for the Ohio Jazz Summit. Beginning her instrumental music teaching career in Northwest Ohio, ensembles under her direction received superior ratings at both District and State OMEA Adjudicated Events, she has coached numerous solo and small ensembles to Superior Ratings and encouraged her students to represent their school at OMEA and NCMEA, District, and State and Collegiate Honor Band Festivals.
Rosalind currently serves as Director of the Steubenville High School “Big Red” Bands in Steubenville, Ohio. Under her direction, the Big Red Band’s membership has ballooned to over 105 members and continues to grow. Her bands have performed at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, OHSAA State Football halftime performances at the Ohio Stadium Columbus, Ohio, and at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Canton, Ohio, marched in the Wheeling (WV) Festival of Lights Parade, and participated in the Ohio University, The University of Toledo, and the University of Pittsburgh Band Day. The Big Red Band also performed live on ESPN 3 as the featured band at the Cancer Research Center Basketball Tournament at Wheeling Jesuit University, The Today Show as part of the “Merriest Main Street” segments, as well as several live feeds on WTOV and WRTF.
Mrs. Thacker holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education with a concentration in conducting at Ohio University where she was appointed to the position of Graduate Teaching Associate and studied conducting with Dr. Andrew Trachsel. She had the honor of serving as an assistant conductor of the Ohio University Wind Ensemble, Symphonic, and University Bands, Marching 110, and Athletic Bands. Mrs. Thacker studied saxophone with Dr. Matthew James and performed with OU Jazz, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. She received her Undergraduate Degree in Music Education at Heidelberg University, where she was a member of Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Singing Collegians. Mrs. Thacker was the 1998 Heidelberg College Concerto Competition winner, was chosen for the Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association (OPCICA) Honor Bands and Jazz Ensembles, and won the Arthur and Helen Bean Award for Musical Performance in 2001.
Rick Hicks Director of Bands, Harding Middle School, Rick Hicks is a 1981 Graduate of Steubenville High School. He attended Ohio University in 1981-82 where he was a member of the Marching 110. After a twenty year career in retail, he returned to Ohio University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. During his five year stretch at Ohio University, he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, University Band, Jazz Ensembles I and II, Trumpet Ensemble, several other brass ensembles, and a brass quintet. Mr. Hicks studied with trumpet professor John Schalbach who played an important role in his success as well as being a great mentor. Mr. Hicks has worked with several high school bands including Vinton County, Alexander High School, Federal Hocking High School, Claymont High School, and Mingo High School, as well as numerous elementary schools. He is a member of the Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA), the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), and Phi Mu Alpha. Mr. Hicks teaches grades 4-8 instrumental music, and is a member of the Tri-State Community Band.