Director

John H. Combs

John Combs received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree with high honors in 1977 from The University of Montana, taught for three years in Shelby, Montana before getting his Master's Degree at the University of Southern California in 1981. While at USC he graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the Departmental Award as the Outstanding Graduate Student in Music Education. He performed with the USC Wind Ensemble, USC Jazz Band and the Trojan Marching Band.

Mr. Combs has been the Director of Bands at Hellgate High School for the past twenty-seven years. During that time he has taken the Hellgate Bands to the Tournament of Roses Parade® in 1984, 1987, 1990 and 2005. He also took the band the the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix, Arizona in 1992, 1995 and 1999. In 2001 the band took part in the Holiday Bowl Festival in San Diego, California. The band returned as Festival Grand Champions in Concert Band and Jazz Band. Most recently the band performed at Festival Disney in Orlando where the Symphonic Band received at Superior Rating and the Jazz Band was selected as Best In Class and won the Gold Award as the Outstanding Jazz Band of the Festival.

The Hellgate Jazz Band has received Superior Ratings at the Montana State Music Festival for the past 24 years. In 2000, the Hellgate Jazz Band was invited to perform at the MENC All-Northwest Educators Conference.

Mr. Combs has also commissioned two compositions from composer David Maslanka. Hell's Gate and UFO Dreams.

Mr. Combs is a sought after clinician and adjudicator. He has been a guest conductor in Washington, Wyoming, Thailand and throughout the State of Montana. He is currently the Past-President and Webmaster of the Montana Bandmasters Association.

Brendan McGlynn

Brendan McGlynn is the Assistant Director of the Hellgate High School Bands. Dr. McGlynn received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Montana. In August of 2007 he earned his Doctorate of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Nebraska.

We're most proud to note that Dr. McGlynn is a graduate of Hellgate High School.