Introducing Our Interim Director, Kevin OG McKeown!

By Matthew Espinoza, BX

Kevin serving as drum major in the UCLA Marching Band!

Originally from Belfast, Kevin immigrated to Santa Monica, California when he was 7 years old. Kevin attended Grant Elementary, John Adams Junior High, and Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI (go vikings)). Growing up and living within a 10 mile radius of the #1 Public University, he always knew he wanted to attend UCLA. Kevin studied at Santa Monica College (SMC) before transferring to UCLA.

At UCLA, he was a four year Drum Major for the Bruin Marching Band. He played Clarinet, Tenor Sax, and Trombone all in the marching band! Besides never losing to U$C (until now), one of his favorite memories in the band is traveling to Austin to take on the Texas in 1997. This was the year the Bruins desecrated the Longhorns 66-3! Kevin is a proud brother of Kappa Kappa Psi and here’s what he had to say! “KKY was super important to me when I transferred. The feeling of inclusion within a brotherhood of fellow band (nerds) was something that I look back fondly on. I remember the building of the first GH tower as a labor of love and a lot of great socials. The connection of KKY and TBS (which was divided by gender then) made for a deeper closeness of friends that are still connected today even in our busy lives. And yes, we had punch and cookies at the Wind Ensemble concerts...yum!”

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Kevin having fun performing as a member of the band!

Kevin earned his Bachelors, Masters, and taught 2 years of middle school before completing 2 years of Doctorate work at UCLA.  After his doctorate work Kevin was chosen to direct the SMC Wind Ensemble, an ensemble that many alumni brothers are a part of! From ‘03-‘12 he taught elementary Clarinet and Trombone. That is where I met Kevin, he started me on trombone…...in fourth grade! In 2008 he started conducting the UC Irvine Wind Ensemble. In 2012, he was offered the Band Director position at Santa Monica High School. Kevin currently teaches at 4 different schools! He is a very passionate and accomplished member of the music world. He strives to share his love for music with his students and hopefully inspire them to educate in the future.

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Kevin today, as Interim Director of the UCLA Marching Band! Thank you for all your support and hard work this season!

Band Camp Activities 2019
Fall Recruitment Events
​Introducing Our Interim Director, Kevin OG McKeown!
The Band's Trip to Tucson
​Joint Networking Night 
Band Banquet 2019!
Get to Know a Line!
​Get Involved!