MEET OUR DIRECTORS
Robert Owens
Robert Owens | Director of Bands
Robert Owens is currently in his fifteenth year as Director of Bands at East Coweta High School in Sharpsburg, Georgia. Prior to accepting the position at East Coweta, Mr. Owens was the Assistant Director of Bands for two years at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, Georgia, and three years at Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville, Georgia. A native of Calhoun, Georgia, Mr. Owens graduated from Calhoun High School and received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. While at JSU, he was a member of the Wind Ensemble and the A Capella Choir, as well as a section leader in the “Marching Southerners.” Mr. Owens was also a trumpet student of Dr. John C. Merriman. In 1990, Mr. Owens was a member of the DCI finalist “Spirit of Atlanta” Drum and Bugle Corps under the direction of Tam H. Easterwood, who was at that time the Director of Bands at East Coweta High School.
At East Coweta, Mr. Owens directs the Wind Ensemble and the Marching Indians. He co-conducts the Concert Band and assists with the Symphonic Band, and the three middle school feeder programs; Lee, East Coweta, and Arnall Middle Schools. During his tenure at East Coweta, the concert bands and the marching band have consistently received superior ratings and many first in class awards.
Mr. Owens was introduced to music at an early age by his father, Charles T. Owens, who had many gospel songs published by the Stamps Baxter Publishing Company. He is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Convention, and the National Band Association.
Robert Owens is currently in his fifteenth year as Director of Bands at East Coweta High School in Sharpsburg, Georgia. Prior to accepting the position at East Coweta, Mr. Owens was the Assistant Director of Bands for two years at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, Georgia, and three years at Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville, Georgia. A native of Calhoun, Georgia, Mr. Owens graduated from Calhoun High School and received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. While at JSU, he was a member of the Wind Ensemble and the A Capella Choir, as well as a section leader in the “Marching Southerners.” Mr. Owens was also a trumpet student of Dr. John C. Merriman. In 1990, Mr. Owens was a member of the DCI finalist “Spirit of Atlanta” Drum and Bugle Corps under the direction of Tam H. Easterwood, who was at that time the Director of Bands at East Coweta High School.
At East Coweta, Mr. Owens directs the Wind Ensemble and the Marching Indians. He co-conducts the Concert Band and assists with the Symphonic Band, and the three middle school feeder programs; Lee, East Coweta, and Arnall Middle Schools. During his tenure at East Coweta, the concert bands and the marching band have consistently received superior ratings and many first in class awards.
Mr. Owens was introduced to music at an early age by his father, Charles T. Owens, who had many gospel songs published by the Stamps Baxter Publishing Company. He is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Convention, and the National Band Association.
Chris Neidhardt
Chris Neidhardt | Associate Director of Bands
Chris Neidhardt is currently in his tenth year as the Associate Director of Bands at East Coweta High School. He conducts the Symphonic Band, co-conducts the Concert Band, and assists with the Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. He is also the director of the Jazz Band and the Saxophone Quartet. Under his direction, the Symphonic Band has consistently received Superior Ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association District 6 Band Festival. Additionally, in 2009 and 2012, the East Coweta Saxophone Quartet was selected to perform as a lobby group at the GMEA In-Service Conference in Savannah, Georgia. Chris also assists with the three middle school feeder programs; Lee, East Coweta, and Arnall Middle Schools.
Originally from Marietta, Georgia, Chris graduated from Alan C. Pope High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2006. While there, he studied saxophone with Dr. Paul Haar. He also performed in the UT Symphonic Band and the UT Pride of the Southland Marching Band. His professional affiliations include GMEA, MENC, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Chris and his wife, Kathryn, currently reside in Newnan, Georgia with their sons, Matthew and William.
Chris Neidhardt is currently in his tenth year as the Associate Director of Bands at East Coweta High School. He conducts the Symphonic Band, co-conducts the Concert Band, and assists with the Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. He is also the director of the Jazz Band and the Saxophone Quartet. Under his direction, the Symphonic Band has consistently received Superior Ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association District 6 Band Festival. Additionally, in 2009 and 2012, the East Coweta Saxophone Quartet was selected to perform as a lobby group at the GMEA In-Service Conference in Savannah, Georgia. Chris also assists with the three middle school feeder programs; Lee, East Coweta, and Arnall Middle Schools.
Originally from Marietta, Georgia, Chris graduated from Alan C. Pope High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2006. While there, he studied saxophone with Dr. Paul Haar. He also performed in the UT Symphonic Band and the UT Pride of the Southland Marching Band. His professional affiliations include GMEA, MENC, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Chris and his wife, Kathryn, currently reside in Newnan, Georgia with their sons, Matthew and William.
