Our Director
Mr. Matthew W. Flenner, Director of Bands, joined the Eustis High School Panther Band in the summer of 2010.
Mr. Flenner received his bachelor`s degree with Cum Laude honors in Music Education K-12 (Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy) in 1999 from Marshall University in West Virginia. During his time at Marshall University he was a member of the Marching Thunder, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and 12`oclock Jazz Ensemble. He has performed with jazz greats such as Bill Prince, Alvin Bapiste, and Dave Valentin.
Mr. Flenner is currently in his 19th year of teaching, and ensembles under his direction have received many awards and accolades. While teaching at Chiefland High School, his marching band went undefeated in FMBC Regional Competitions from 2005 through 2007. The band was also a 6-time consecutive FMBC State Semifinalist reaching their highest ranking of 7th in the state in Class 1A in 2006. The band was also the overall runner-up in the Westport HS FMBC Regional in 2006.
Mr. Flenner was the Levy County All-County Band Coordinator and site host (2004-2009), and also developed and coordinated the Tri-County Invitational FMBC Regional Marching Band Competition (2003-2009). He was recognized as the Teacher of the Year in 2006-07. During his career, Mr. Flenner has coached both boys and girls varsity high school tennis.
During his time at Eustis High School, ensembles under his direction have won many awards. Since 2010, the EHS Jazz Ensemble (JE-1) has received straight Superior ratings at FBA District MPA and the Lakeside Jazz Festival. In 2011, the Jazz Ensemble received straight Superior ratings at the State FBA Jazz MPA for the first time in school history. In 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2019, the Jazz Ensemble again earned straight Superior ratings at the State Jazz MPA. His Jazz Ensemble also won Grand Champion Jazz Band at the 2011 Lakeside Jazz Festival, the 2014 Lakeside Jazz Festival (winning nearly all the awards), the 2017 Lakeside Jazz Festival and the 2018 Lakeside Jazz Festival.
In 2013, he formed the Jazz Band (JE2) and in only their second MPA ever, that group earned an overall Superior rating and performed in their first ever State Jazz MPA earning straight Excellent ratings. Furthermore, in 2015 the EHS Jazz Ensemble II earned a Superior rating at the State Jazz MPA for the first time in school history.
The EHS Concert Band received Superior ratings at the FBA District MPA (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 & 2019), and returned, after a 12 year hiatus (1997) to the State Concert MPA. In the 2012 FBA State Concert MPA, the EHS Band earned an overall Superior rating for the first time in 36 years.
The EHS Marching Band has received an overall Superior rating for 8 consecutive years (2010-2017). His Marching band has also been a 3-time consecutive Finalist at the North Marion FMBC Regional, the overall runner-up at the Westport HS FMBC Regional in 2011, overall 2nd runner-up at the Westport Regional in 2014 and 2015, overall 2nd runner-up at the Chiefland FMBC Regional in 2015, and the Grand Champion at the 2016 Chiefland FMBC Regional.
His current professional affiliations are with the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), National Band Association (NBA), Florida School Music Association (FSMA), Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), and the United States Tennis Association.
Mr. Flenner is a recent graduate of the University of Florida in which he received his Master of Music degree. He has also been selected as the Eustis High School Teacher of the Month for February 2012 and September 2012.
He was awarded the prestigious Tom Bishop Award in January 2013 from the Florida Bandmasters Association.
