About Me
Welcome! I'm Elijah Gray, a dynamic performing musician in the Rochester, MN music scene. You can find me around the region throwing down some keytar and sax with Push and Turn or holding it down on drums with The Soul Train. You can also catch me performing with other groups like Loud Mouth Brass and The D'Sievers on an infrequent/sub basis.
When not performing, you can find me rehearsing with the Rochester Community Band, where I appear as a frequent guest conductor and percussionist. Additionally, I serve local community organizations and schools as a clinician and ensemble coach, and I also adjudicate music festivals/contests. I've got background as a composer as well.
You can read more about me below and by checking out the rest of the site.
As always, thanks for listening!
Experience
2023-present
Performing Artist, Private Teacher, Clinician, and Adjudicator
Rochester, MN
In 2023, Elijah undertook many new musical projects, including joining Push and Turn as keyboard player and saxophonist, performing with The Soul Train as drummer, joining the Rochester Community Band as percussionist and frequent guest conductor, and serving as a clinician, adjudicator, and section coach for schools and ensembles across the region.
That same year, Elijah made the difficult choice to leave public school teaching and took a full time position working for a disability justice non-profit in Rochester. He continues to substitute teach in music classrooms around Minnesota.
2020-2023
Director of Bands
Triton Public Schools
Dodge Center, MN
In 2020, Elijah moved to Rochester, MN and began serving Triton Public Schools in Dodge Center as the Director of Bands.
While teaching, Elijah instructed all band students and ensembles Grades 5-12. Under his leadership, the band program grew 68% in enrollment and the band room became a welcoming, inclusive, and high-achieving place.
2015-2020
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
At the University of North Dakota, Elijah participated in a variety of different ensembles and projects. Ensembles include: Wind Ensemble, University Band, Steel Drum Band, Percussion Ensemble, Section 17 (New Music Ensemble), 12 O'Clock Jazz Band, 1 O'Clock Jazz Band, Jazz Quartet and the Pride of the North Marching Band.
Additionally, Elijah performed with groups in the community, including the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist and the Downtown Horns as a keyboard player.