Xenia Band Program Staff
Mr. Tom Springer: Director of Bands
Mr. Springer received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Virginia Tech in 1997 and his Master of Music in Education from West Virginia University in the spring of 2005.
Prior to coming to Xenia, Mr. Springer was a high school band director in the Carroll County, Roanoke County, & Pulaski County school districts (Virginia), where his bands consistently received excellent and superior ratings at both marching and concert festivals. During the fall 2005 semester, Mr. Springer was an adjunct professor of music education at West Virginia University, where he supervised student teachers, and taught the freshman voice class and brass pedagogy.
A native of Fairmont, WV, Mr. Springer credits his love of music to early experiences in performance while his family lived in Sydney, Australia in the early 80s, and to his band directors in Blacksburg, VA - Bill Ray, and Dr. Diana Love.
"My goal has always been to educate my students through positive musical experiences; to teach them to become independent thinkers with a drive to succeed."
Tom is an avid Horn player and vocalist, and is known to occasionally play and dance the Hokie Pokie with a Tuba. His wife, Nicole Gross, is the director of the Pride of Dayton Marching Band. They reside in Beavercreek with their dogs Simon & Maggie, and two cats, Wilbur & Scout.
Mr. John Harner: Director, Jazz Band
Bio Unavailable
Ms. Toni Charles: Guard Coordinator
Toni Charles graduated from Stebbins High School and attended the University of Dayton. She has been married for over 40 years to Larry Charles, a Xenia graduate. They have lived in Xenia their entire married life. Ms. Charles has three children, Annette Alex, Deonne Alex, and Larry Charles, Jr. (all Xenia graduates), and five grandchildren.
Ms. Charles began teaching for Fred J Miller in 1969 and worked in his studios and camps for over 25 years. She has worked with the drill team at Alter High School and Wayne High School, and she started the rifle squad at Xenia High School in 1986 and continued until 1991 under Ray Foster and Manfred Stamguts. Ms. Charles returned to work with the Color Guard in 2006 year under director Jeff Taylor, and has a goal to bring the squad back to winterguard and increase the numbers in the squad.
Ms. Charles loves working with children and wants to increase the level of performance with the Xenia squad. She feels very fortunate to work under Mr. Tom Springer because she believes he has a lot to offer the Xenia Band and community. She believes we have a great community and support for our kids.
Mr. Ben White: Percussion Instructor
Mr. White graduated from Xenia High School and has graduated from the University of Dayton as well as Capital University Law School. While at the University of Dayton, Mr. White studied under Jim Leslie and John Taylor, and was a member of the 2001 Mid-East Percussion Association Championship drumline. He is also a recipient of the Arion Music Award.
Mr. White returns to the Xenia High School Band Staff having previously been an instructor with the Marching Buccaneers as well as an assistant director to the Indoor Drumline. Hr has instructed multiple band camps throughout the state and has instructed at the high school and collegiate level. Mr. White is also a member of the Vic Firth Educational Team.
Mr. Kevin Keefe: Percussion Advisor & Music Writer
Mr. Keefe graduated from Madison Central High School in Richmond, Kentucky in 1994, having played bass drum and snare. At Eastern Kentucky University, he participated in marching band, concert band, percussion ensembles, and indoor marching percussion from 1995 to 1999 under Rod James.
On graduation, Mr. Keefe served as percussion instructor at Gallatin County High School in Kentucky. Upon moving to Ohio, he occasionally served as bass tech for the 2000 Xenia Marching Buccaneers, then served as the percussion instructor for the Xenia High School marching band from 2001 to 2007. He stepped aside as percussion instructor after the 2007 season, but still writes music for and advises the percussion section of the band. Mr. Keefe is a current member of the Percussive Arts Society.
This is a site to provide information about the Xenia, OH High School Band Program. Our goal is to provide the latest available information on events, schedules, travel, fundraisers, and contacts. This site was privately created and is not sponsored by the Xenia Community School District. Any questions or comments should be directed to the Xenia Band Boosters or to the webmaster.