WALLED LAKE CENTRAL BANDS STAFF
Grant Prater, Director of Bands
GRANT PRATER currently serves as the Director of Bands at Walled Lake Central High School and Co-Director of the Walled Lake Marching Band in Commerce Township, Michigan. Grant is responsible for overseeing the Walled Lake Central High School Band Program, which includes three concert bands, a jazz ensemble, chamber ensembles, two winter performing ensembles, the Viking Spirit Band, and the Walled Lake Marching Band. Grant previously worked with the University of Toledo athletic bands and concert bands as the sole Graduate Teaching Associate and Assistant Varsity Band Director. There he completed his Master of Music Education degree with Wind Conducting Emphasis and actively conducted research in a wide range of areas including focuses on curriculum development, expressive conducting, marching band fundamentals, identity and sexuality for music educators, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in music education. Grant has taught high brass and marching to the students of Piqua HS (OH), Monroe HS (MI), East Kentwood HS (MI), and Zeeland HS (MI). In 2023, Grant served as the Assistant Marching Band Director for Monroe High School.
Studying areas of musicology and composition under Paul Schoenfeld, he received his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Michigan in 2021. His awards include a President’s Volunteer Service Award from former President Barack Obama in 2015 and a Prudential Spirit of Community Award Distinguished Finalist for the state of Michigan.
He has presented at the 2022 OMEA Professional Development Conference Graduate Research Roundtable, the 2023 Professionalism in Music Education Conference at Central Michigan University, and the 2024 OMEA Professional Development Conference.
In his free time, Grant loves long distance running, eating out, spending time with his friends, and visiting his family (especially his Bernese Mountain Dog Winston) in Monroe, Michigan where he is originally from.
Studying areas of musicology and composition under Paul Schoenfeld, he received his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Michigan in 2021. His awards include a President’s Volunteer Service Award from former President Barack Obama in 2015 and a Prudential Spirit of Community Award Distinguished Finalist for the state of Michigan.
He has presented at the 2022 OMEA Professional Development Conference Graduate Research Roundtable, the 2023 Professionalism in Music Education Conference at Central Michigan University, and the 2024 OMEA Professional Development Conference.
In his free time, Grant loves long distance running, eating out, spending time with his friends, and visiting his family (especially his Bernese Mountain Dog Winston) in Monroe, Michigan where he is originally from.
Nick Pourcho, Walled Lake Percussion Director
NICK POURCHO is a full-time percussion educator and designer involved in teaching and designing for many high schools, independent ensembles, and drum corps’ since 2000. Nick writes full wind and percussion books for marching bands, indoor drumlines, indoor winds, color guards, and solo/ensemble. He also writes drill for a number of ensembles and has written music for a number of animated short films. Nick received his bachelor of arts in music education from Michigan State University in 2003 and was a member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (2001).
Nick is currently the percussion director and music designer for Walled Lake Central HS and is the director, program coordinator, and front ensemble arranger for Walled Lake Percussion. He has also written music and taught for NorthCoast Academy (2005-2009, 2011-2012), Redline Percussion (2015-2018), and for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2012-2017).
Nick’s ensembles have won 43 medals in MCGC, 5 medals at WGI and 18 medals in MCBA. Nick is a current member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and a past member of the MCGC Board. Nick is endorsed by Yamaha, Innovative Percussion, Remo, and Zildjian. This will be Nick’s 19th year teaching at Walled Lake Central!
Nick is currently the percussion director and music designer for Walled Lake Central HS and is the director, program coordinator, and front ensemble arranger for Walled Lake Percussion. He has also written music and taught for NorthCoast Academy (2005-2009, 2011-2012), Redline Percussion (2015-2018), and for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2012-2017).
Nick’s ensembles have won 43 medals in MCGC, 5 medals at WGI and 18 medals in MCBA. Nick is a current member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board and a past member of the MCGC Board. Nick is endorsed by Yamaha, Innovative Percussion, Remo, and Zildjian. This will be Nick’s 19th year teaching at Walled Lake Central!
Seth Williams, Color Guard Director
SETH WILLIAMS was born and raised in Indiana and currently resides in Canton, Michigan. Seth’s performing experience consists of Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, and Zydeco Colorguard. Seth’s teaching experience includes Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Northview High School, Interplay Winterguard, and Plymouth-Canton Educational Park.