Rachel Allen
Mrs. Rachel Allen is a dedicated music educator residing in Charles Town, West Virginia. She started her career as the assistant band director at Jefferson High School in 2005 and has passionately served as the band director at Charles Town Middle School since 2008. Graduating with a degree in music education from Shepherd University in 2005, Mrs. Allen continued her academic pursuits, earning a master’s degree in music education from the same institution in 2010. While at Shepherd University, she studied trumpet under Wayne Cameron and conducting under Dr. Mark McCoy, who still serves as a mentor and supporter.
During Mrs. Allen’s time at Charles Town Middle School, her concert band and jazz
band groups have received numerous superior ratings at Concert Band Festival and Regional Jazz Festival. In 2026, her jazz band was selected as the state Honor Jazz Band for West Virginia.
Mrs. Allen’s commitment to the advancement of music education extends beyond the classroom, as she has held various leadership roles and currently serves as the Region 9 WV Bandmaster President. Currently, Mrs. Allen is an active member of the Phi Beta Mu (Tau Chapter) International Band Director Fraternity, where she serves as secretary. She has presented music education sessions at the Florida Music Educators’ Association
Conference, West Virginia Music Educators’ conference, and the Total Band Director Workshop, along with several webinars. Mrs. Allen truly enjoys working with bands and has conducted several honor bands over the years. However, her
biggest passion is shepherding and mentoring the next generation of band directors.
During the pandemic, Mrs. Allen joined TikTok and began posting band and music
content to lift her spirits during the trying time. Since then, her social media channels have grown to over 650,000 followers and subscribers across various platforms. While Mrs. Allen enjoys teaching students all over the world through social media, her students at Charles Town Middle School remain her biggest priority.
Clinic Offerings
From First Note to First Concert: Effective Strategies for Beginning Band
This session provides practical strategies for beginning band instruction, focusing on building fundamentals, engaging students, and establishing consistency. Directors will explore rehearsal techniques, classroom management, and solutions to common beginner challenges. Attendees will leave with actionable tips, resources, and methods to support long-term success in their music programs.
Grant Writing for Music Teachers: Easier Than it Looks
This presentation breaks down the grant writing process for music educators, offering practical strategies to find, write, and secure funding. Learn how to craft compelling proposals, avoid common mistakes, and confidently advocate for your program to bring more resources into your classroom.
How to Start a Middle School Jazz Band: When You Know Nothing About Jazz
This session provides a practical, step-by-step guide for middle school band directors who want to start a jazz band, even with limited experience or resources. Learn how to build instrumentation, select accessible music, teach basic jazz concepts, and create a successful program that builds student confidence, musicianship, and enthusiasm.
Choosing the Right Literature for Your Middle School Band
This session helps middle school band directors confidently select appropriate literature for their ensembles. Learn how to evaluate technical and musical demands, move beyond grade-level labels, and choose repertoire that builds student success, confidence, and long-term growth while creating balanced and effective concert programming.