Joining Rees is newly appointed Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, Douglas McCullough. McCullough has thirty-five years of teaching experience that includes a 27-year tenure at Beavercreek (Ohio) High School. As Music Department Chair, McCullough directed the 330 member Beavercreek Marching Band & Color Guard, four concert bands, jazz big band, pep band, and several small ensembles. The Beavercreek Marching Band earned the highest rating at State Finals for 26 consecutive years, making it one of Ohio Music Education Association’s (OMEA) longest-standing "Superior" earning bands. In addition, McCullough served as artistic director of the annual Beavercreek High School Weekend of Jazz, featuring such artists as The Count Basie Orchestra, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Buddy Rich Big Band, Spyro Gyra, Sylvan Street, Jeff Coffin and Mu’tet, Stanley Clark, Ramsey Lewis, Maynard Ferguson, Jon Secada, and The Jeff Hamilton Trio.
McCullough has also been a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States, and a percussion arranger for Warner Bros. Marching Band Publications, as well as numerous bands around the country. Formerly, he was a percussion staff member of The Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps, and assistant staff member for Yamaha Sounds of Summer Clinics.
A highly recognized educator in Ohio, McCullough is a past recipient of the Beavercreek City Schools “Teacher of The Year” award, and a six-time winner of the Greene County Valedictorians and Salutatorians “Howard L. Post Excellence of Education Award.” McCullough, a graduate of The Ohio University School of Music in Athens Ohio, is married with two children.
Beginning fall 2014, another new addition to the Frost Band of the Hour instructional team is Colorado native Natalie Chernow. Under the leadership of Director of Athletic Bands Jay Rees, Chernow was named Visual and Dance Line Instructor for The Hurricanettes Dance Team, a prominent spirit organization on the University of Miami campus as well as the official dance team for The Frost Band of the Hour marching and pep bands.
With over fifteen years experience in the dance industry, Chernow is a highly sought-after instructor and choreographer who has worked with numerous high schools, colleges, and studios throughout the country. As founder and director of the highly successful company College Dance Prep, Chernow trains dancers around the country for collegiate auditions. Through extensive research, she has become an expert on collegiate dance teams, offering her students the tools and preparation needed to succeed. Chernow also serves as an instructor for the Universal Dance Association.
Chernow is a business graduate of The University of Arizona who performed with the UA Pride of Arizona Danceline for four years, serving as captain her senior year. She was head choreographer for the team, designing routines aired on the ESPN, FOX, and PAC12 Networks. Chernow’s choreography for the NCAA basketball tournament was praised and recognized by media outlets such as Comcast Sports Net and Bleacher Report. She also choreographed the team’s jazz nationals and hip hop routines. Chernow is excited to expand her journey to Southern Florida and the University of Miami.
The Frost Band of the Hour is the largest and one of the most spirited student organizations on the UM campus. The band draws its membership from the entire student body, representing all of the states and almost every major. The Band of the Hour and Hurricanettes perform at all Miami Hurricanes Home Games, listed here.
