Kyle Luck | Director of Bands
Kyle Luck is proud to have returned to Pasadena City College as director of bands, where his formal collegiate studies began in 1982. As a student at PCC, he performed in the Lancer Marching Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble and the Tournament of Roses Honor Band. After attending PCC, Mr. Luck went on to receive his Bachelor of Music Degree from CSU Northridge in 1991, and a Master of Music Degree from USC in 1998.
Mr. Luck’s teaching responsibilities at PCC include the Lancer Marching Band and Color Guard, the Tournament of Roses Honor Band, the Lancer Concert Band, a beginning woodwind and brass techniques course, Intro to Music Education, and a survey course covering the history of rock music.
Before joining the faculty at PCC in 2006, Mr. Luck served as band and choral director at John Muir High School in Pasadena (1993–1996) and as instrumental music director at Westlake High School in Westlake Village (1998–2006). Mr. Luck has also served on the instructional staff for the Tournament of Roses Honor Band, The USC Trojan Marching Band and the 1993 World University Games Marching Band.
His marching performance experiences include: the PCC Lancer Marching Band (1982-1984), The Tournament of Roses Honor Band (1983-1985), the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Opening Ceremonies, the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps (1985), the Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps (1986), and the Walt Disney World All-American College Band (1987).
Aside from his teaching responsibilities at PCC, Mr. Luck does numerous clinics, guest conducting, and adjudicating throughout Southern California.
Email Mr. Luck - PCCBand@pasadena.edu or kdluck@pasadena.edu
Tad Carpenter | ASST. BAND DIRECTOR & PErcussion Director
A past Vice President of the California chapter of PAS, Tad Carpenter has built a distinguished career in marching bands and drum & bugle corps.
Tad earned his undergraduate music degree and teaching credentials at California State University Northridge. He followed with a Masters in Percussion Performance, earning honors status at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.
Tad has been involved in marching virtually since he could carry a drum. At age 11, he was playing with Santa Clara Vanguard. At 14, Tad got his first taste of success, winning the High Drum Caption with SVC in 1975. Over the years, he has instructed winning corps and marching bands including the Sacramento Freelancers, Glassmen, Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corps. Tad has also marched with the Disneyland Magic Kingdom Korps.
His horizons expanding, Carpenter led and composed percussion for the 1984 Olympic Band, the 1991 Olympic Sports Festival, the 1994 World Cup Opening Ceremonies in Los Angeles, and the Spirit of Tanjong in Singapore.
Tad instructs the Lancer Marching Band, Tournament of Roses Honor Band, PCC Percussion Ensemble and the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band Drumline.
Tad is an endorsee for Innovative Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals and a Musician's Advisory Board member for EVANS Drumheads.
Email Mr. Carpenter - cmcarpenter@pasadena.edu