DIRECTORS
Michael Chambless
Director of Bands
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Music Education from The University of Alabama
Experience:
Mr. Chambless is in his third year of teaching. Prior to teaching at Thompson
Middle School, he was the Band Director at Hillcrest and Duncanville Middle Schools in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Bio:
Michael Chambless is in his eighth year as Director of Bands at Thompson Middle School, and his ninth year of teaching. Mr. Chambless is a native of Hoover, Alabama and a graduate of Hoover High School.
Prior to his time at Thompson, Mr. Chambless began his teaching career at Hillcrest and Duncanville Middle Schools in Tuscaloosa, AL. His bands have consistently received superior rating at the Alabama Bandmasters Music Performance Assessment. His bands have also performed in Orlando at both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. The TMS Symphonic Band performed at the 2018 University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band Festival and the 2022 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference. He has served on staff at various summer music camps throughout the region and has also assisted with the Thompson High School Marching Southern Sounds.
Mr. Chambless holds a Bachelors of Science in Music Education from The University of Alabama and a Masters in Music Education from the American Band College at Central Washington University. At UA, he was a member of the Alabama Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Million Dollar Band, and studied saxophone with Dr. Jon Noffsinger. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Alabama Music Educators Association, and Alabama Bandmasters Association. He currently resides in Alabaster with his wife Cindy, who is a professional musician, and their daughter Caroline.
At Thompson Middle School, Mr. Chambless conducts the Symphonic Band, Concert Band 2, and assists with Concert Band 1. He also teaches beginning band saxophone, clarinet, and flute classes.
Cheryl O'Brien
Assistant Director
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Clarinet Performance from The University of Alabama
Masters in Music Education from Samford University
Experience:
Mrs. O'Brien is in her 7th year of teaching, and her second year of teaching at Thompson Middle School. Prior to her time at Thompson Middle School, she taught at Thorsby High School in Chilton County, AL.
Bio:
Cheryl O’Brien is a native of Shelby County, growing up in Helena and graduating from Pelham High School in 1999. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Alabama (2003) where she performed with the Alabama Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, University Orchestra, Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Tuscaloosa, and the Million Dollar Band. Mrs. O’Brien also holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Samford University (2006) where she had the opportunity to perform with the University Wind Ensemble and the Orchestra for many theater productions and operas.
For the past 20 years Mrs. O’Brien has been highly active in music in her community. She has served as a private instructor, clarinet clinician in numerous schools, clarinet choir conductor at the University of Montevallo Single Reed Symposium (2019), general/ elementary music teacher, and band director at both Thorsby High School and John Carroll Catholic High School. She is an active performer in various ensembles, including the Alabama Winds and the Alabama Winds Clarinet Quartet, which have provided her with performance opportunities across the state, the country, and in Europe. Mrs. O’Brien currently resides in Alabaster with her husband Michael, and their two children, Anthony and Dallas.
