Directors & Staff
Perseverance - Respect - Integrity - Determination - Excellence
Mr. Race | Director of Bands at FFCHS
Mr. Joshua Race is in his fifth year as Director of Bands at Fountain-Fort Carson High School and his thirteenth year of teaching overall. His teaching duties at FFCHS include the Trojan Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Royal, and Music Theory. Prior to becoming the Director of Bands at FFCHS, Mr. Race taught at Cañon City High School, Pueblo County High School, and La Junta High School.
Mr. Race is the founder and director of the Fountain Valley Community Band, as well as founder and former director of the Arkansas Valley Community Band. Mr. Race has conducted pit orchestras for community theatres throughout southern Colorado, and performs regularly with the Southern Colorado Community Band in Canon City, as well as the Pueblo Municipal Band in Pueblo.
Since his time at FFCHS, the band program has grown from approximately 110 students in 2018 to roughly 300 students in the current academic year. The band program at FFCHS has expanded from two concert bands and one jazz band to five concert bands, two jazz bands, and a jazz combo. The Trojan Marching Band has grown from 60 members in 2018 to an anticipated 150 members in the fall of 2023. The band program has received numerous awards throughout Mr. Race's time at FFCHS in all areas of instrumental performance: concert band, jazz band, and marching band.
Mr. Race earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado and Master of Arts in Music Education from Adams State University. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA), American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), Phi Beta Mu, the Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA), and serves on the CBA Board as the Southern Region Representative.
Mr. Joshua Race is in his fifth year as Director of Bands at Fountain-Fort Carson High School and his thirteenth year of teaching overall. His teaching duties at FFCHS include the Trojan Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Royal, and Music Theory. Prior to becoming the Director of Bands at FFCHS, Mr. Race taught at Cañon City High School, Pueblo County High School, and La Junta High School.
Mr. Race is the founder and director of the Fountain Valley Community Band, as well as founder and former director of the Arkansas Valley Community Band. Mr. Race has conducted pit orchestras for community theatres throughout southern Colorado, and performs regularly with the Southern Colorado Community Band in Canon City, as well as the Pueblo Municipal Band in Pueblo.
Since his time at FFCHS, the band program has grown from approximately 110 students in 2018 to roughly 300 students in the current academic year. The band program at FFCHS has expanded from two concert bands and one jazz band to five concert bands, two jazz bands, and a jazz combo. The Trojan Marching Band has grown from 60 members in 2018 to an anticipated 150 members in the fall of 2023. The band program has received numerous awards throughout Mr. Race's time at FFCHS in all areas of instrumental performance: concert band, jazz band, and marching band.
Mr. Race earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado and Master of Arts in Music Education from Adams State University. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA), American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), Phi Beta Mu, the Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA), and serves on the CBA Board as the Southern Region Representative.
Ms. Brown | Assistant Director of Bands at FFCHS
Ms. Sydney Brown is a graduate of Colorado State University where she earned her Bachelor’s of Music Education and participated in a variety of ensembles.
Ms. Brown's teaching duties at FFCHS include the Trojan Marching Band, Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Crimson, and Music Appreciation.
As a DCI performer, Sydney marched with both the Blue Knights (2015-2017) and the Bluecoats (2018). Sydney has served as the visual caption head for the Loveland High School Crimson Regiment in Loveland, Colorado for three years and has been on the visual staff for the Blue Knights Winds. Currently, Sydney serves on the brass staff for the Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps.
Ms. Brown is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA), and the Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA).
Ms. Sydney Brown is a graduate of Colorado State University where she earned her Bachelor’s of Music Education and participated in a variety of ensembles.
Ms. Brown's teaching duties at FFCHS include the Trojan Marching Band, Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Crimson, and Music Appreciation.
As a DCI performer, Sydney marched with both the Blue Knights (2015-2017) and the Bluecoats (2018). Sydney has served as the visual caption head for the Loveland High School Crimson Regiment in Loveland, Colorado for three years and has been on the visual staff for the Blue Knights Winds. Currently, Sydney serves on the brass staff for the Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps.
Ms. Brown is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA), and the Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA).
Mr. Mark Emery | Woodwind Specialist at FFCHS
Mr. Emery attended the University of Northern Colorado. For 27 years he was the band director at Pueblo County High School where the band program achieved great success and traveled nationally and abroad.
Since retirement Mark enjoys marching band adjudicating and helping with the Colorado Bandmaster’s Association Regional and State Concert band festivals. He also owns Percussion Concepts, where he fabricates carts and stands for marching bands. He conducts The Pueblo Municipal Band and The Arkansas Valley Community Band. In 2014 he was elected to the Colorado Bandmaster’s Association Hall of Fame, and in 2018 The Canon City Music and Blossom Festival Hall of Fame.
Mark is married to Ellen and they have four children and 5 grandchildren.
Mr. Emery has been the woodwind specialist at Fountain Fort Carson High School for two years. One of the joys of his life has been working with Mr. Race and the wonderful kids at FFCHS.
Mr. Emery attended the University of Northern Colorado. For 27 years he was the band director at Pueblo County High School where the band program achieved great success and traveled nationally and abroad.
Since retirement Mark enjoys marching band adjudicating and helping with the Colorado Bandmaster’s Association Regional and State Concert band festivals. He also owns Percussion Concepts, where he fabricates carts and stands for marching bands. He conducts The Pueblo Municipal Band and The Arkansas Valley Community Band. In 2014 he was elected to the Colorado Bandmaster’s Association Hall of Fame, and in 2018 The Canon City Music and Blossom Festival Hall of Fame.
Mark is married to Ellen and they have four children and 5 grandchildren.
Mr. Emery has been the woodwind specialist at Fountain Fort Carson High School for two years. One of the joys of his life has been working with Mr. Race and the wonderful kids at FFCHS.
Mr. Darpino | Director of Bands - Fountain Middle School
Mr. Nicholas Darpino is the middle school Director of Bands at Fountain Middle School. He has been with the district for a total of 6 years. His duties at FMS include concert band and jazz band, and he has held a supportive role as an assistant to Fountain-Fort Carson High School Trojan Marching Band.
The Fountain Middle School Band program has grown to receive musical excellence and recognition in both concert and jazz band under Mr. Darpino's leadership.
Nick received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Mr. Darpino presides as the Vice President of the Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band. Mr. Darpino always strives to give as many opportunities for students to grow, learn, and experience new things.
When not teaching, Mr. Darpino enjoys spending time with his wife Chesney, his son Arlo, two dogs, friends and family. He also enjoys performing in the Fountain Valley Community Band, kayaking, and hiking.
Mr. Nicholas Darpino is the middle school Director of Bands at Fountain Middle School. He has been with the district for a total of 6 years. His duties at FMS include concert band and jazz band, and he has held a supportive role as an assistant to Fountain-Fort Carson High School Trojan Marching Band.
The Fountain Middle School Band program has grown to receive musical excellence and recognition in both concert and jazz band under Mr. Darpino's leadership.
Nick received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Mr. Darpino presides as the Vice President of the Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band. Mr. Darpino always strives to give as many opportunities for students to grow, learn, and experience new things.
When not teaching, Mr. Darpino enjoys spending time with his wife Chesney, his son Arlo, two dogs, friends and family. He also enjoys performing in the Fountain Valley Community Band, kayaking, and hiking.
Aaron Baroz | Color Guard Instructor
Mr. Aaron Baroz has been the instructor of the Fountain-Fort Carson color guard since the fall of 2019. Mr. Baroz directs and leads all aspects of the color guard activities at FFCHS, including the new winter guard teams that began competing in the Rocky Mountain Color Guard Association circuit in the 2021-2022 school year.
Under his leadership and, the FFCHS color guard has continued to grow and improve, and has greatly contributed to the success of the marching program. The FFCHS Winter Guard earned 2nd place at the RMCGA State Championships in 2023, and earned the Lindstrom Sportsmanship Award under Aaron's guidance.
Aaron's goal and vision is to teach, lead, and help the growth of every student and performer to be the best versions of themselves possible - both on and off the field.
Aaron is a graduate of Cañon City High School and has been involved in color guard since his middle school days at Cañon City Middle School in Cañon City, Colorado.
Mr. Aaron Baroz has been the instructor of the Fountain-Fort Carson color guard since the fall of 2019. Mr. Baroz directs and leads all aspects of the color guard activities at FFCHS, including the new winter guard teams that began competing in the Rocky Mountain Color Guard Association circuit in the 2021-2022 school year.
Under his leadership and, the FFCHS color guard has continued to grow and improve, and has greatly contributed to the success of the marching program. The FFCHS Winter Guard earned 2nd place at the RMCGA State Championships in 2023, and earned the Lindstrom Sportsmanship Award under Aaron's guidance.
Aaron's goal and vision is to teach, lead, and help the growth of every student and performer to be the best versions of themselves possible - both on and off the field.
Aaron is a graduate of Cañon City High School and has been involved in color guard since his middle school days at Cañon City Middle School in Cañon City, Colorado.
Kol Peterson | Percussion Instructor
Mr. Kol Peterson began instructing marching percussion at FFCHS during the fall 2022 marching band season. Mr. Peterson directs and leads all aspects of the percussion activities at FFCHS, including the FFCHS indoor percussion ensemble that competes in Rocky Mountain Percussion Association sanctioned events throughout Colorado.
Mr. Peterson has been active in the marching arts to include the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble (2022 and 2023) as well as a conductor for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps during the summer of 2022.
Kol's vision for the FFCHS percussion is to expand on student's skills in order to challenge students as individuals and as a performing unit. Kol enjoys sharing his time and talents with the outstanding students at FFCHS.
Kol is a graduate of Palmer High School in Colorado Springs.
Mr. Kol Peterson began instructing marching percussion at FFCHS during the fall 2022 marching band season. Mr. Peterson directs and leads all aspects of the percussion activities at FFCHS, including the FFCHS indoor percussion ensemble that competes in Rocky Mountain Percussion Association sanctioned events throughout Colorado.
Mr. Peterson has been active in the marching arts to include the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble (2022 and 2023) as well as a conductor for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps during the summer of 2022.
Kol's vision for the FFCHS percussion is to expand on student's skills in order to challenge students as individuals and as a performing unit. Kol enjoys sharing his time and talents with the outstanding students at FFCHS.
Kol is a graduate of Palmer High School in Colorado Springs.
Mr. Macias | Drill Writer
