Darren Loney

Marching Band Techniques

e-mail: darren.loney@csulb.edu

Darren Loney is the Director of Instrumental Music at Gahr High School in Cerritos, California, and serves as the High School Music Coordinator for ABC Unified School District. Gahr High School won the California State Band Grand Champions seven times from 2014-2021 and was the 2022 Western Band Association Class 4A Champion. Gahr’s concert and jazz ensembles consistently receive superior ratings, while the Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion have been finalists at WGASC and SCPA, respectively.

Darren holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach. An inaugural recipient of the Bob Cole Conservatory "Music Education Award" as a credential student, Darren also completed Level II Kodály Certification. Additionally, Darren was a marching member of the Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps and Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, and currently serves as the brass arranger for Pacific Crest.

Darren received the "Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence" from the National Band Association, 2014-15 "Teacher of the Year" at Gahr High School, and 2010-2011 "Teacher of the Year" at La Quinta High School. In 2018, the Gahr High School’s Instrumental Music Program received the "NAMM Support Music Merit Award" for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Darren is a member of the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association, California Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, International Thespian Society, and Golden Key International Honor Society. Darren resides in Lakewood with his beautiful wife Laura and their daughter Lauren.