Mr. Harden is the Director of Instrumental Music at Hanover High School where he directs the marching band, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, and various other chamber ensembles. He also teaches Music Theory and AP Music Theory, Music in Media, American Contemporary Music, and Piano. Mr. Harden was formerly the K-12 Director of Music and Instrumental Music Teacher for the Rockland Public Schools in Rockland, MA and Director of Bands at Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, NY. He holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Cum Laude) where he studied with George N. Parks, Malcolm W. Rowell, Jr., Walter Chestnut, Jeffery Holmes, David Sporny, Benedict Smar, and Roger Rideout. He earned his Master of Music (Summa Cum Laude) from Ithaca College where he studied under Keith Kaiser, Mark Fonder, Susan Avery, Verna Brumett, Jennifer Haywood, Timothy Johnson, Richard Clary, and Stephen Peterson.
Mr. Harden is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Lambda, Golden Key National Honor Society, National Honor Society, ASCD, NBA, NAfME, MMEA, AIME, and is an honorary lifetime member of the New York State Parent Teacher Association. He was the recipient of the Union-Endicott Founder's Day Award, New York State Lottery Educator of the Week, and has been named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers multiple times. He has performed with the Jeff Holmes Big Band, Amherst Jazz Orchestra, Compaq Big Band, Mason Warrington Orchestra, Binghamton Philharmonic, Sharon Community Band, Roy Scott Big Band, and the Brockton Symphony. Mr. Harden is an active trumpeter, composer, arranger, drill designer, and guest conductor. Mr. Harden serves on the Executive Board of the South Eastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association as the Adjudication Coordinator and Webmaster. He is also active in the MMEA Southeastern District and has served as Sr. Concert Chair and Ensemble Manager. He lives in Whitman with his wife Maegan, his sons Adam and Elliot, and their cat Marble.
Summer Music Festival trumpet coach.