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, Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Class, Jazz I & II, and the Jazz Combo. 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 four concert bands, two jazz bands, and a jazz combo. The Trojan Marching Band has grown from 60 members in 2018 to 140 members in the fall of 2022. 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, Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Class, Jazz I & II, and the Jazz Combo. 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 four concert bands, two jazz bands, and a jazz combo. The Trojan Marching Band has grown from 60 members in 2018 to 140 members in the fall of 2022. 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 degree in music education and participated in a variety of ensembles. Ms. Brown will begin as the assistant director at FFCHS in the fall of 2022.
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.
She is super excited to be joining the team at FFCHS and can’t wait to get started!
Ms. Sydney Brown is a graduate of Colorado State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in music education and participated in a variety of ensembles. Ms. Brown will begin as the assistant director at FFCHS in the fall of 2022.
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.
She is super excited to be joining the team at FFCHS and can’t wait to get started!
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 Director to Fountain-Fort Carson High School Trojan Marching Band.
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, 18 month old 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 Director to Fountain-Fort Carson High School Trojan Marching Band.
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, 18 month old Arlo, two dogs, friends and family. He also enjoys performing in the Fountain Valley Community Band, kayaking, and hiking.
Mr. Myers | Director of Bands - Carson Middle School
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. 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. 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. Macias | Drill Writer
