In addition to teaching, Van Devender has pursued a diverse assortment of positions in the music industry which he credits toward giving him a unique perspective musically, etc.

Included among these were:
*Sales position with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
*Managing a Trans World Music Corp. tapes and cd's store in downtown Milwaukee, WI.
*Theater production at YMCA Of The Rockies in Estes Park, CO.
*Television production at KTVO in Kirksville, MO.
*Radio DJ at KBOE in Oskaloosa, IA.
*Music Director Camp Ilium Episcopal high school retreat in Telluride, CO.

Post Graduate - Music Education VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL. Targeted Masters Degree completion date - Summer 2008.

1990 - Teacher Certification in Music Education was earned at University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Van Devender also earned an induction into the Golden Key National Honor Society during this time.

1985 - BA in Music Business at Northeast Missouri State University (now named Truman University) in Kirksville, Missouri where Van Devender consistantly earned a spot on the roster of Jazz Ensemble I as Bass Trombonist. During his tenure with this group, they achieved First Place (band) at the Central States Jazz Festival in Kansas City and Third Place (band) at the Wichita Jazz Festival and performed at MMEA in 1981 & 1985. He also played in the Brass Choir (performing at MMEA in 1983), Marching Band, Concert Band, Pep Band & Orchestra. Another important piece of his college life was his induction into the Upsilon Phi Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia - the national music fraternity, where he served as Chapter Vice President for two years.

1980 - Graduation from Oskaloosa High School in Oskaloosa, Iowa where he participated in the nationally acclaimed Band Of The 70's & Band Of The 80's Marching Band (placing 2nd at Marching Bands of America Summer Nationals - 1980) as well as Concert Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Concert Choir and Show Choir. He even dabbled in drama, portraying Pedro-The Muleteer in the musical production, "Man of La Mancha." His Senior year he served as Band President.

There is currently an effort under way to form an Oskaloosa Band Alumni Association. For more info &/or to register, Click Here.

Periodically, Van Devender has accomplished something
beyond the average which merits mention here:

Included among these are:
*Husband (since 1988 - Amy) & Father of twin daughters (Emily & Grace - born 1994)
*Eagle Scout: awarded - 1979
*Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity: inducted - 1982
*Golden Key Society Member: inducted - 1989
*Brotherhood - Order of the Arrow Honor Society of Scouting: inducted - 1978
*Director of First Place/Division I/Gold Medal finishers in the following competitions:
*Great American Parks Fest., Elem. Choir Div. - 2002; Denver, CO
*Battle Of The Bands, HS Rock Band - 2000, 2001; Basalt, CO
*Showcase Music Fest., Jazz Band HS Div. - 1998; Minneapolis, MN
*Algona Band Days Parade, MS Div. - 1995 - 1997; Algona, IA
*Colorado State Piano Group Comp. - 1991; Fort Collins, CO
*Grants
*Grand Valley Kiwanis - 2003; Grand Valley PTA - 2002, 2003; to aid the funding of the Soaring Eagles Choir's participation in the Great American Parks Festival
*Carbondale Council on Arts & Humanities - 1999; to fund an Arts/Humanities Class creative venture with the Carbondale Clay Center
*Vail Valley Foundation - 1992; to fund a Music Technology Center Van Devender created in his elementary classroom
*Past & Present Memberships in:
MENC (Music Educators National Conference), CMEA (Colorado Music Educators Association), CBA (Colorado Bandmasters Association), CEA (Colorado Educator's Association), GVEA (Grand Valley Educators Association), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), IBA (Iowa Bandmasters Association), ICDA (Iowa Choral Directors Association), IMN (Independent Musician's Network), FUMC (First United Methodist Church)
*Single Day Bicycle Rides
*Golden, CO to Mount Evans summit (Alt. 14,264) & back; 1981
*Estes Park - Grand Lake via Trail Ridge (Alt. 12,183) & back; 1983
*Vail to Breckenridge via Vail Pass (Alt. 10,580); 1993
*Double Century 205 miles (Open Road - WI); 1979
*Double Metric Century 125 miles (Open Road & CO); 1978, '79
*Century 100 miles (Open Road & CO/IA); 1978 - '83
*Porcupine Rim Trail(Mtn. Bike) 26 miles (Moab, UT); 2000
*Slick Rock Trail(Mtn. Bike) 22 miles (Moab, UT); 1992
*Gemini Bridges Trail(Mtn. Bike) 13 miles (Moab, UT); 1992
*Runner/Hiking Events
*Flagstaff Mountain Run - 1983; Boulder, CO
*Bolder, Boulder 10K finisher - 1986, 2006; Boulder, CO
*Longs Peak (Alt. 14,256) Climbs - 1983, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1994; RMNP (Estes Park), CO
*McHenrys Peak (Alt. 13,327) - 1990; RMNP (Estes Park), CO
*The Spearhead (Alt. 12,575) - 1986; RMNP (Estes Park), CO
*Arapaho Peak (Alt. 13,397) - 1989; Indian Peaks Wilderness, CO
*Flattop(12,324), Halletts(12,713) & Otis(12,486) - 1986; RMNP (Estes Park), CO
*Twin Sisters Peaks (Alt. 11,428) - 1986; RMNP (Estes Park), CO
*Mount Lady Washington (Alt. 13,281) - 1983; RMNP (Estes Park), CO
*Bear Lake to Grand Lake & back (North Inlet & Tonahutu Trails) - 1978; RMNP (Estes Park/Grand Lake), CO