BORN IN: Collinsville, IL

LIVES IN: O’Fallon, IL

PLAYING SINCE: 1989

BIGGEST INFLUENCES: Neal Peart, Bret Kuhn

MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE YOU PLAYED IN: Passadena Tournament of Roses Parade

MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE YOU DIDN’T PLAY IN: Zappa Plays Zappa with Terry Bozzio

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: O’Fallon performing in BOA Grand National Finals 2018

FAVOURITE SABIAN CYMBAL: 16” HHX Evolution Crash

Evan Hinds is a marching arts designer, writing drill and percussion arrangements for several bands and percussion ensembles across the United States.  He serves as a music program consultant and adjudicator through the United States, for marching band, concert band, and chamber ensembles.  Currently, Mr. Hinds is the Music Ensemble Coordinator for the O’Fallon Township Marching Panthers.  Previously at O’Fallon, duties included 8 years as the caption head for the Marching Panthers Percussion and the director of four concert percussion ensembles. He also currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor for Illinois State University, observing student teachers for the music department.  Mr. Hinds has previously instructed at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, serving as the Marching Bearcats Drumline instructor and arranger along with the Marching Bearcats drill writer.  Additionally at McKendree, he taught private percussion lessons, percussion ensemble, percussion methods, marching band methods, and supervised student teachers for the music education program.  Mr. Hinds was the band director at Triad High School in Troy, IL for eight years and holds music degrees in education and conducting from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  In addition, Mr. Hinds is an artist/endorser for Tama | Bergerault Percussion, Remo Drumheads, and Innovative Percussion.

During his tenure, O’Fallon Township High School Marching Panthers have received many accolades.  Recent accomplishments for the marching band include being a BOA Grand National Finalist in 2018, multiple appearances in BOA Grand National Semifinals, in addition to consistent appearances in BOA Regional and Super Regional Finals.  Other recent performances for the band program include The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade (2015 and 2022), The Orange Bowl, The Hollywood Christmas Parade, Pearl Harbor, The MFA National Festival, and Carnegie Hall.  The band was recently selected to perform in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Mr. Hinds resides in O’Fallon, IL with his wife Dr. Melissa Gustafson-Hinds who is the Director of Bands at O’Fallon Township High School.  They have a daughter named Evelyn.