Mark Minton

Minton, who earned a Bachelor of Music Education in 1995 and a Master of Music in 2020, has been director of bands at Parkway High School since 1997 where he directs the wind ensemble, symphonic band, jazz ensemble and marching band. During his career, he and his students have consistently earned countless titles, accolades and awards at the state, district and national level and have performed at numerous special events in the Shreveport-Bossier area and in other part of the United States. Minton has been a mentor to two generations of students at Parkway and has been recognized for his impact on their development as musicians and individuals. He has adjudicated at band, jazz and solo and ensemble festivals throughout Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.

As a professional musician, Minton is a composer, arranger and performer, a former member of the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra, North Texas Symphony Orchestra and the Bill Causey Orchestra. He is co-founder and assistant conductor of the Red River Wind Orchestra, a professional concert band whose mission is to perform challenging music of artistic merit. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu, National Association of Music Educators, Louisiana Music Education Association and Kappa Kappa Psi. He has remained engaged with Northwestern as a mentor teacher for music education student and was inducted into NSU’s School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame in 2024. Earlier this year, Minton earned a Gold Star Award from Bossier Parish Schools.