LAS CRUCES, NM, May 24, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Randy K. Mapes has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
An accomplished musician and educator, Mr. Mapes has dedicated his career to inspiring young people to pursue their passion for music. To prepare for his career, he earned a Bachelor of Music in saxophone performance from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and a Master of Music in woodwind performance and pedagogy from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1987. Following this accomplishment, Mr. Mapes began his career as an assistant band director and woodwind instructor for Itawamba Community College for five years and was promoted to the director of bands.
After working in this position for three years, Mr. Mapes continued his professional journey as the assistant band director and woodwind instructor for Hinds Community College. Following more than two decades of service, he embarked upon his present role as the band director for Mesilla Valley Christian School. In this capacity, Mr. Mapes teaches music classes for secondary school students, as well as for fourth and fifth grade beginner bands.
In addition to his main career pursuits, Mr. Mapes serves as a contributor to several professional music publications, including the Saxophone Journal, the Mississippi Bandmaster and the Mississippi Flute Association Newsletter. An accomplished musician as well as educator, he has recorded a solo album, as well as CDs with the Mississippi Wind Band and the Mississippi Wind Symphony. He has also collaborated with the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and the Jackson First Baptist Church Sanctuary Orchestra. Mr. Mapes also performed in backup groups for Rod Stewart, Lou Rawls, Wayne Newton, Buddy DeFranco, Nell Carter, Dee Barton Big Band and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
In recognition of his performing expertise, Mr. Mapes was listed on the Touring Artist Roster by the Mississippi Arts Commission. He was also honored with a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association in 1991 for his teaching expertise. Long dedicated to his profession, he previously served as a president of the Mississippi Public Community and Junior College Band Directors Association. Mr. Mapes is also a member of the National Association of Music Education and the New Mexico Music Educators.
Mr. Mapes credits much of his success to his dedication to practicing, as well as the mentorship he received from his teachers along the way. In particular, he benefited from the tutelage of Dr. Lawrence Gwozdz, who was his professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. Looking toward the future, Mr. Mapes intends to continue building the band program at Mesilla Valley Christian School, where he recently led his bands to superior ratings at contest.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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