Faculty Lounge
Encyclopedia
Faculty Lounge is a band based in Des Moines, Iowa
, created during Halloween
of 2000 by bassist Dave Maxwell, guitarist Timm Pilcher, and drummer Mark Stallman. The band is made up of eight players, all of whom are either current or former teachers, coaches, and/or administrators in the Des Moines Public School system
or surrounding area.
The band has performed three times for President Barack Obama
and several times for former Iowa Governor Chet Culver
(a former teacher at Des Moines Hoover
and Roosevelt
High Schools) who proclaimed the band as, "The First Band of Iowa."
The band holds a strong presence in the Des Moines area, playing numerous concerts throughout the year in front of thousands of fans at events such as Ingersoll LIVE!, Beaverdale, Iowa
Fall Fest, the Windsor Heights, Iowa
4th of July Festival, and Altoona, Iowa
Palooza. The band is also known for its charitable efforts, donating its time and talents to fundraisers benefiting causes such as JDRF and Best Buddies International
. Members of the band are active in other musical projects and are often in demand as special guest performers with other local bands.
The band's lineup and their ties to Des Moines-area education as of August 17, 2010, are:
The band is supported by sound man Shawn McFarland.
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, created during Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
of 2000 by bassist Dave Maxwell, guitarist Timm Pilcher, and drummer Mark Stallman. The band is made up of eight players, all of whom are either current or former teachers, coaches, and/or administrators in the Des Moines Public School system
Des Moines Public Schools
The Des Moines Public Schools is the largest public school district in Iowa...
or surrounding area.
The band has performed three times for President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
and several times for former Iowa Governor Chet Culver
Chet Culver
Chester John "Chet" Culver was the 41st Governor of Iowa, from 2007 to 2011. He was also elected as the Federal Liaison for the Democratic Governors Association for 2008-2009. He founded the Chet Culver Group, an energy sector consulting firm, in 2011.-Early life and education:Culver was born in...
(a former teacher at Des Moines Hoover
Herbert Hoover High School (Des Moines)
Herbert Hoover High School, usually referred to simply as Hoover High School or Hoover, is a secondary school located on the Northwest side of Des Moines, Iowa. It is one of five secondary schools under the district of the Des Moines Public Schools, and was named after the 31st United States...
and Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt High School (Des Moines)
Theodore Roosevelt High School, usually referred to simply as Roosevelt High School or TRHS, is a secondary school located on the west side of Des Moines, Iowa...
High Schools) who proclaimed the band as, "The First Band of Iowa."
The band holds a strong presence in the Des Moines area, playing numerous concerts throughout the year in front of thousands of fans at events such as Ingersoll LIVE!, Beaverdale, Iowa
Beaverdale, Iowa
Beaverdale is a neighborhood on the northwest side of Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Although it has never been incorporated, it has retained a distinct and separate identity from the rest of the capital city...
Fall Fest, the Windsor Heights, Iowa
Windsor Heights, Iowa
Windsor Heights is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,805 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Windsor Heights incorporated as a city on July 19, 1941...
4th of July Festival, and Altoona, Iowa
Altoona, Iowa
Altoona is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States and is a part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 15,583 at the 2010 census; a special census taken in August 2005 counted 13,301 residents....
Palooza. The band is also known for its charitable efforts, donating its time and talents to fundraisers benefiting causes such as JDRF and Best Buddies International
Best Buddies International
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501 organization. It consists of volunteers that attempt to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities ....
. Members of the band are active in other musical projects and are often in demand as special guest performers with other local bands.
The band's lineup and their ties to Des Moines-area education as of August 17, 2010, are:
- Dana Andrews, Band Director at Des Moines Callanan Middle School
- Anna Lee, Vocal Director at Des Moines Hoover High School
- Dave Maxwell, Associate Principal at West Des Moines Valley High School
- Dan Pardock, former boys' and girls' soccer and football coach at Des Moines Hoover High School
- Timm Pilcher, journalism teacher at Des Moines Hoover High School
- Aaron Smith, SUCCESS case manager at Des Moines Moulton Extended Learning Center
- Mark Stallman, Instructional Coach at Waukee Community Schools and Assistant Track Coach at Waukee High School
- Ryan Williamson, counselor at Des Moines Roosevelt High School
The band is supported by sound man Shawn McFarland.