Welcoming Mr. Matt Barnes
Union Bands is excited to welcome to our full-time faculty Assistant Director Mr. Matt Barnes!
For ten years previous Mr. Barnes held the position of head band director at Morris High School in Oklahoma. His ensembles at Morris received numerous OSSAA awards, and the marching band was crowned the 2013 OBA Grand Champion, among other significant accolades.
Since graduating from Oklahoma State University in 2013, Mr. Barnes has been actively involved in arts education in Oklahoma. He is a clarinetist and bass clarinetist primarily, but has experience performing on saxophone, brass instruments of all kinds, and bass guitar. He also enjoys music theory and composition. Mr. Barnes marched with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011 playing euphonium. He designs for guards, marching bands, and indoor drumline ensembles. Mr. Barnes has played an important role in the visual program at Resistance Indoor Percussion for a decade, where he coordinates staff and teaches visual technique & performance.
When he isn't teaching, Mr. Barnes loves tall cups of fancy coffee with nothing added and exploring the natural beauty the world has to offer. Overall, he believes the musical arts have incredible power to communicate in ways beyond words, and arts education has the potential to transform lives. He is excited to bring his skills and ideals to Union Public Schools.
Matt Barnes | Asst. Band Director | July 2023
Riddle Honored With Lifetime Achievement Recognition
Pam Riddle, left, presented with Presidential Lifetime Achievement Certificate by Director of Bands Charles Pisarra. (May 15, 2023 at UPAC)
Pam Riddle, center, recognized at Union PS July 2023 Board of Education Meeting, with Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler, left, and Director of Bands Charles Pisarra, right,
Video of Board of Education Meeting Special Recognition
Union Bands Director Charles Pisarra surprised longtime parent volunteer Pam Riddle with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. “Now, more than ever, we need the presence of parent volunteers,” said Pisarra, “and Pam Riddle is the gold standard.”
All three of Riddle’s children have graduated from Union, most recently in May of 2023. She was highly active in leading the Andersen PTA, and as her children transitioned into the secondary grades, she served additionally as a volunteer for the band program.
“Pam served in various capacities with the Union Band Booster Club, most significantly in the role of CFO,” said Pisarra. “Pam oversaw a budget in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and shepherded dozens of volunteers comprising the booster club’s treasury team, as well as volunteers in other operational facets. When decisions were tough to make – particularly in the face of covid, when the Renegade Regiment’s trip to New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade – or in other challenging moments, we could always count on Pam as a voice of wisdom. No matter what the issue or situation, ‘Pam will know what to do’.”
Pisarra knew he wanted to do something significant to recognize her when she retired from the role. Without her knowledge, he applied for the award.
“The application was rigorous, requiring a minimum of 4,000 hours of volunteer service,” he said. All told, he believes she has contributed no less than 10,000 hours of service, and probably more.
“One of the highlights of my career took place on May 15, when I had the pleasure of presenting Pam Riddle with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service,” said Pisarra. “The certificate bears the signature of President Biden and is the most fitting recognition for Pam that could possibly be awarded.”
