Mr. Bryan Ames, Band Director
Plymouth High School

Mr. Ames is a 1988 graduate of Twin Lakes High School and 1994 graduate of Ball State University. He has an Area All-Grade degree in Music Education.

Mr. Ames came to Knox as the assistant director in the fall of 1994 and became the head director of bands in the fall of 1999. During his years at Knox, the high school band has been a state marching band finalist six times. Under his direction, the marching band has placed in the top five at the state finals four times and was the State Champion Runner-Up in 2000, 2002, and 2003. The band was also the 2005 Bands of America Indianapolis Regional Class A Champion.

Under his guidance, the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band have received annual Division I ratings in Group I and Group II for eleven consecutive years.

The founder of marimba ensembles, winter drumline, and indoor stage show programs, Mr. Ames has had percussion groups perform at the 1997 National Middle School Convention, The Moscow Ballet (2000 in Elkhart, IN), and in Nassau, Bahamas (2003). The winter drumline is a three time I.P.A. state finalist.

He has been nominated for "Who's Who Among American Teachers" annually since 2001 and was selected as one of ten "Most Inspirational Teachers" in 2001, 2004, and 2005 by the top ten graduating seniors at Knox High School. In 2006, he was nominated for the Disney Teachers Awards.