As the Band Director for South Hadley’s Michael E. Smith Middle School, Brooks Holmes leads over 100 students in grades 5-8 in pursuing their dreams within instrumental music. His Concert & Jazz Bands are well known throughout the local & state community for their versatility, discipline & technique. Brooks is a strong advocate for implementing music technology into his teaching and often hosts Music Education Majors from Westfield State & UMASS Amherst. Brooks earned a Bachelor’s & Master’s degree from UMASS Amherst.   He has been an adjunct faculty member of Bay Path College where he’s taught history courses in Western Music & American Jazz. Brooks enjoys playing trumpet for weddings & concerts throughout the state as both a soloist and as 2^nd trumpeter with the New England Brass Quartet for the past 25 years.