About

Mr. Wes Lowe

Director of Instrumental Arts - The King’s Academy

As a passionate music educator and Director of Instrumental Arts at The King’s Academy, Wes Lowe’s motto is simple: “Provide More Than Music.” Having a mission that is more than just teaching music has been essential in Wes Lowe’s success in mentoring his students into both skillful musicians and exemplary leaders. Mr. Lowe joined The King’s Academy as Assistant Director of Instrumental Arts in 2016 and was shortly thereafter promoted to Director of Instrumental Arts in the fall of 2019.

Mr. Lowe’s contemporary instrumental fine arts program has not only taken South Florida by storm but is also taking its award-winning performances across the country. Under his leadership, Mr. Lowe has doubled the size of the band program through strategic planning and innovative performance opportunities. As an alumnus of The King’s Academy, he has utilized his knowledge and insight about the school community to recreate and revitalize the marching band. This group called The King’s Regiment has gained national recognition through performances at Miami Heat and Miami Marlins events as well as Walt Disney World parades. Under Mr. Lowe’s leadership and creative vision, his innovative and entertaining halftime shows have been compared by many to Super Bowl halftime performances featuring the marching band, dancers, singers, and a finale of pyrotechnics.

Mr. Lowe’s passion as an educator can be seen daily as he teaches everything from beginning band students in 4th grade all the way through his high school seniors. He even serves as a musical mentor by providing continued learning experiences for graduates by helping them create and develop their own signature style. His brand of innovative instrumental instruction starts by designing curriculum that is modern and age appropriate. Artistry for all is Mr. Lowe’s focus as he inspires his students to be well-rounded musicians. His program introduces students to different music genres including classical, jazz, pop, and rock. He also created and established the school’s largest ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra. This group has allowed more students than ever before to find their passion through their instrument.

The King’s Academy’s flagship program is its Jazz Ensemble. This group first gained national recognition through high-profile performances that reimagine America’s Songbook. With world-class artists like Wayne Bergeron, Duffy Jackson, and Wycliffe Gordon, the students from The King’s Academy have been inspired and educated by working alongside these elite artists. Mr. Lowe has worked closely with many of the premier jazz composers of our day such as Mark Taylor, Victor Lopez, and Michael Mossman. With over twelve commissions of new charts for high school jazz bands to his credit, the goal of reimagining the American songbook in a way that preserves the past while promoting the future of jazz continues to fuel the outstanding work Mr. Lowe is accomplishing. As a Palm Beach native, he values the impact of giving back to the community. Mr. Lowe regularly features his Jazz Ensemble at retirement communities, charitable events, and downtown marketplaces to share the joy of music.

Mr. Lowe is closely aligned with the Palm Beach Symphony, Yamaha Music Corporation, Legends Radio 100.3, and many nationally acclaimed musicians such as jazz icon, Michael Feinstein, and Grammy winning trumpeter, Arturo Sandoval. These partnerships have provided a premier and unprecedented musical experience for his students.

Another of Mr. Lowe’s partnerships includes The Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook where he serves as the Young Artist Program Director. Working alongside this nonprofit organization, Mr. Lowe mentors and develops the next generation of young jazz artists. He provides opportunities for these students to professionally record their renditions of jazz standards that are then featured on the local jazz radio station as well as on Dick Robinson’s Music by the Sea, a nationally televised show on PBS.

Recently, he created and conducted a student-run jazz quintet that has quickly become a highly sought-after ensemble with performances for weddings, country clubs, and private events. This group called The Annie Matot Jazz Quintet won Broadway World’s Best Cabaret Show for 2022 and released their first album called Love Covers.

Mr. Lowe has received national recognition for his work both in and out of the classroom. He was selected as a Yamaha 40 Under 40 Music Educator for 2022. He also earned a quarterfinalist spot for the Grammy Music Educator Award. Recently, Mr. Lowe was recognized as the 2022 Palm Beach Illustrated’s Educator of the Year, the 2021 Palm Beach Symphony’s Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year, and the 2022 Randolph A. Frank Prize winner for Emerging Performing Arts Educator. His students have been accepted into premier music programs across the country, including Eastman School of Music, The Julliard School, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Indiana University, and New York University. Mr. Lowe’s students have been recognized as top musicians in the All-National and All-State Concert Bands as well as Young Artist of the Year recipients.

Mr. Lowe strives to create an inspiring and innovative program that pulls from the past and prepares his students to be successful in the modern world. He is not afraid to take chances that provide unique performing opportunities for his students. His goal is to use music as a vehicle to produce dynamic young leaders who will seek to have a positive impact upon the community.