Welcome to the GMS Band Program. This site will help keep you up to date on news and events in the Gentry band department.
The band directors at Gentry are devoted to providing a highly engaging learning environment for each band student to be a vital, contributing member of our musical community. We believe that the presence of the arts in public education enriches the learning journey of our students and is a building block for thinking, feeling and expressive behaviors in a multi-disciplinary way. The following are short bios about the band department faculty. Please feel free to contact your child’s director if you have any questions or concerns about their musical education.
The band directors at Gentry are devoted to providing a highly engaging learning environment for each band student to be a vital, contributing member of our musical community. We believe that the presence of the arts in public education enriches the learning journey of our students and is a building block for thinking, feeling and expressive behaviors in a multi-disciplinary way. The following are short bios about the band department faculty. Please feel free to contact your child’s director if you have any questions or concerns about their musical education.
Amber Blumberg, Band Coordinator
6th and 7th Grade Brass, 8th Grade Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band
Amber Blumberg has been the director of bands at Gentry Middle School since 2013. Prior to this position, Mrs. Blumberg held the assistant director position at Gentry Middle School from 2008-2013 and taught general elementary music in the Columbia Public School District from 2006-2008. Amber is also the band coordinator for the Columbia Public School District.
Amber earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from William Woods University.
During her tenure at Gentry, Mrs. Blumberg has had the privilege of participating in solo and small ensemble festivals, where her students regularly receive "1" ratings. Since Gentry was reconfigured to include 8th grade, the 8th grade band has received numerous "1" ratings at large ensemble festival and the Worlds of Fun Music Festival.
In January 2017, Mrs. Blumberg was thrilled for the 8th grade band to have been selected as the first ever Gentry Middle School performing ensemble to perform at the Missouri Music Educator's State Convention. This honor certainly serves as a highlight in Mrs. Blumberg's career thus far!
Additionally, Mrs. Blumberg greatly enjoys the opportunity to teach a private horn studio. Amber is an active concert band judge and clinician cross the state. She is a member of NAFME, MMEA, and MSTA.
Amber resides in Columbia, Missouri with her husband, Eric, and their three amazing children, Trina, Carter and Lyndon. She loves coaching group fitness classes at Wilson's Fitness and living an active lifestyle!
Amber earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from William Woods University.
During her tenure at Gentry, Mrs. Blumberg has had the privilege of participating in solo and small ensemble festivals, where her students regularly receive "1" ratings. Since Gentry was reconfigured to include 8th grade, the 8th grade band has received numerous "1" ratings at large ensemble festival and the Worlds of Fun Music Festival.
In January 2017, Mrs. Blumberg was thrilled for the 8th grade band to have been selected as the first ever Gentry Middle School performing ensemble to perform at the Missouri Music Educator's State Convention. This honor certainly serves as a highlight in Mrs. Blumberg's career thus far!
Additionally, Mrs. Blumberg greatly enjoys the opportunity to teach a private horn studio. Amber is an active concert band judge and clinician cross the state. She is a member of NAFME, MMEA, and MSTA.
Amber resides in Columbia, Missouri with her husband, Eric, and their three amazing children, Trina, Carter and Lyndon. She loves coaching group fitness classes at Wilson's Fitness and living an active lifestyle!
Season Higgins
6th and 7th Grade Woodwind and Percussion, 8th Grade Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band
Season Higgins grew up in Estherville, Iowa where she attended Estherville Lincoln Central High School. She attended Northwest Missouri State University (NWMSU) where she graduated with a Bachelors of Music Education in Instrumental Music in 2018. While attending NWMSU she performed in several ensembles including Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, the Bearcat Marching Band, and Pep Band. While a member of the NWMSU Wind Symphony, Mrs. Higgins performed at the Nebraska Music Educators Association’s State Convention, the Missouri Music Educators Association’s State Convention, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
In 2019 Mrs. Higgins joined the Gentry Middle School Band team where she she serves as the woodwind and percussion specialist teaching the 6th and 7th grade woodwind and percussion courses and co-teaches the 8th grade band. After school she leads the Gentry Jazz Band.
Outside of school, Mrs. Higgins teaches a private single reeds studio and is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, the Missouri Music Educators Association, and the Missouri Bandmaster’s Association. Additionally, Mrs. Higgins is an alumnus of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Other than teaching and making music, Mrs. Higgins loves to read, craft, cook, and spend time with family and friends.
In 2019 Mrs. Higgins joined the Gentry Middle School Band team where she she serves as the woodwind and percussion specialist teaching the 6th and 7th grade woodwind and percussion courses and co-teaches the 8th grade band. After school she leads the Gentry Jazz Band.
Outside of school, Mrs. Higgins teaches a private single reeds studio and is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, the Missouri Music Educators Association, and the Missouri Bandmaster’s Association. Additionally, Mrs. Higgins is an alumnus of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Other than teaching and making music, Mrs. Higgins loves to read, craft, cook, and spend time with family and friends.