PROGRAM NOTES

DRAKENVUUR ........................................................................

Inspired by the Dutch folktale “Wichardsage” (from The Sagas of Veluwe), DrakenVuur tells the story of a deadly fire-breathing dragon that lived under a medlar tree, devouring every living creature it encountered. Nearby, Wichard was in love with Margaret and asked her father for her hand in marriage. Her father said he needed to prove himself worthy, so the disappointed, yet determined, Wichard set out to slay the dragon. As Wichard was defeating the dragon, the creature bellowed a terrible scream that sounded like “Gelre! Gelre!” Wichard rode in victory back to marry Margaret and built a castle on the site of the medlar tree battle and named it “Gelre,” which would later become Gelderland

Pillar V

Nathan Daughtrey

Andy Akiho

Critically acclaimed new music composer Andy Akiho has created a captivating and powerful commission for the Sandbox Percussion quartet in the form of Seven Pillars, the collaboration a labour of love between friends spanning eight years.

Written as a multimedia chamber work, even without the intended video presentation included, the music is mesmerizing from the instant it opens. The complexity of the work belies the relative simplicity of the acoustic percussion tools at hand: bottles, glockenspiels, drums, wood blocks, metal pipes, sandpaper, marimbas, kick drum. Akiho takes full advantage of the skill and inventiveness of the individual performers by dedicating solo tracks to each, so that he can explore the nuances and textures of the simple objects. It is in the delivery that the writing takes flight. The remaining seven movements are for the full quartet, showing off not only the compositions but the slick performance and tight comradeship of the group.

Akiho and Sandbox Percussion commissioned 11 video artists to create original films for Seven Pillars – one film for each movement of the work — however, the hard copy of the CD makes no mention of this. It does however include a complex insert, a complicated paper cutout designed almost as a stage setting in lieu of the visual films. These took some studying, slowly revealing explanations of the form of each movement in relation to the work as a whole and spelling out the instruments used (“brake drum,” for instance). But the cards can’t quite replace the brilliance of the collaborative videos that encompass the worlds of dance, animation, experimental narrative film, time-lapse, and more.

LIMINALITY ................................................................................................ DAVE HALL

In the summer of 2019, I spent nearly two weeks on Martha’s Vineyard in a rental house with my wife’s extended family, with a nice TV we never turned on and mercifully unreliable cell service and Internet connection. My sister-in-law Katie (who I have always looked up to for her humor, creativity, and quiet clairvoyance), lives inland on the island and we were there for her wedding. I spent most of each day outside reading books, going on strolls, or playing with our children. At night we would come together as a family and eat a meal made from a beautiful mélange of food grown on Island. I have known for a while that all I really need (beyond basic food and shelter) is time, beauty, and love, and all three were available in abundance on the Island.

The trip was right on time as I had become ambivalent about my role as an academic and expectations (both internal and external) to adhere to stale paradigms. I am certainly thankful for the opportunities and security of my position and am aware of the extreme privilege I fell into by way of my race, gender, upbringing, and dumb luck and am doing my best not to scuttle the opportunities that so many others are not afforded. I considered this retreat to be a hard reset for my mind and soul.

Some of the most profound things I read on the porch outside our rental house included Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind: a rigorous and personal account of groundbreaking research in neurochemistry and guided psychedelic therapy (to treat addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, and to help the terminally ill navigate the end of life). I became enamored with the concept of deliberate ego dissolution and removing myself from the art I hoped to create. Jenny Oddell’s How to Do Nothing compelled me to connect more deeply with other people and our natural world. I let go the last shred of interest I had in having a reputation or a categorizable job title after reading Austin Kleon’s Keep Going. His marching orders to “forget the noun, do the verb” reminded me that Players gotta play and Artists gotta art. We should make things and share them with our friends. I am a shameless fanboy of pianist Brad Mehldau and have been particularly fond of his duo collaborations with both mandolinist Chris Thile and drummer Mark Guiliana, so I set out to expand the spirit of these duos to a larger ensemble. Recent residencies at Nebraska with Snarky Puppy, Stefon Harris, Andy Akiho, and the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra also infiltrated my subconscious as I sketched out the work. I also hoped to capture an aural cross-section of the diversity, virtuosity, artistry, creativity, and collaborative spirit of my students both past and present. All of this is a tall order for a six- to seven-minute piece of coherent music, but eventually Liminality emerged, its creation only possible at this time with these exact artists. We hope the result transcends ourselves as well as the dogmatic and ultimately ineffective borders that are hastily thrown up between particular musical genres and idioms.

Liminality Ensemble

It is true that I did sit at a desk and a piano for months looking at blank manuscript paper and scratching my head, and eventually at a computer attempting to translate all of the above into decipherable musical notation, but it truly feels like my students wrote this piece. It has reaffirmed to me that healing and transcendent experiences of beauty are available when given enough time and love. – D. H.

Andrea Venet

Often inspired by elements of nature that involve motion and color, such as water and light, I draw parallels between these elements on how I perceive and write music. The word refract refers to the change of direction of a ray of light when it enters at an angle through things like water, air, or glass. In the marimba quartet, performers share registral and harmonic roles, while motives are passed around the ensemble within a homogenous texture and similar range. Despite moments of specific, maintained musical color, spatial motion is generated, as if light is bouncing off a surface and abruptly changes direction, yet remains contained in a perceivable way to the listener. In other instances, musical lines are presented and then repeated with a different character by another player, with more distinct soloistic focus. In many ways I also relate elements of the piece to water based on harmony and rhythmic motion. While Refrakt is not exclusively a programmatic piece about the ocean or light, water is a conductor of light reflection and refraction and facilitates motion. My favorite example as it associates with this concept is the concluding musical section in Refrakt. After reaching a harmonic modulation to a major key using the minor-key motivic material from the beginning of the work, the tempo drives forward relentlessly, as if something in the depths of the dark ocean is quickly ascending through increasing brightness as it strives to touch daylight at the surface.

Refrakt was written during the summer of 2019 and premiered at the Malletlab 2019 Summer Intensive in West Palm Beach, FL. The beautiful cover art was created by artist Robin Herst Rose, and perfectly reflects my own synesthesia association with the pitches, harmony, and mood expressed throughout the piece.

MAG7

Michael Burritt

MAG7: Rhapsody No. 1 was written in the summer of 2017 and dedicated to my seven graduate students (The Magnificent Seven) who so brilliantly brought my new opus to life. The piece opens with a solo “riff” on marimba that serves as the seed for the entire work. The rhythmic and metric development play with the quintuplet, first introduced in the opening section, as a tool for polyrhythmic hemiola and metric modulation. This is fully realized in the center of the work as the entire ensemble is playing varying layers in multiples of 5 tethered to a 5/4 meter. Like most of my music, MAG7 is a melting pot of genres and artistic influences coalescing in a pseudo-rhapsodic form.

SCROLL (WORLD PREMIERE)

TOM RARICK

Scroll features a trio of quasi-rudimental snare drum soloists accompanied by a six-member percussion ensemble. Intertwining the marching and concert worlds, the piece begins with a militaristic sensibility, is grounded by an insistent harmonic motion and descending arpeggiated piano gestures, and journeys toward a more modern and angular conclusion. Scroll unfurls in a manner that mirrors my own musical experience, and highlights my long-standing friendships and collaboration with the visionaries behind this project, Dr. Brian West and Hector Gil.

Scroll was commissioned by Hector Gil and the Vista Ridge High School Percussion Ensemble for their showcase concert at the 2023 Texas Music Educators Association Convention. This piece was composed with fellow soloists Dr. Brian West and Hector Gil in mind, and is dedicated to my father — my first and most impactful percussion inspiration.

— TOM RARICK

LINGUS ...........................................................................................

Michael League

Lingus Ensemble

Leander Isd Honor Groups

TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

INVITED CHOIRS

Vandegrift HS Chamber Choir, 2023 - Michael Zook

Canyon Ridge MS Tenor/Bass Choir, 2021 – Courtney Kelly

Cedar Park MS Treble Choir, 2020 – Kara Kasberg

Cedar Park HS Mixed Choir, 2018 – Lisa Holt

Canyon Ridge MS Treble Choir, 2017 – Courtney Kelly

Vandegrift HS Women’s Choir, 2016 – Michael Feris

Vista Ridge HS Mixed Choir, 2014 – Steve White

Henry MS Treble Choir, 2012 – Michelle Hank

Henry MS Treble Choir, 2008 – Kimberly Williams

Cedar Park MS Mixed Choir, 2003 – Brenda Justice

SOUTHWEST ACDA INVITED CHOIRS

Vandegrift HS Women’s Choir, 2016 – Michael Zook

NATIONAL ACDA INVITED CHOIRS

Vandegrift HS Chorale Tenor/Bass, 2023 - Michael Zook

Cedar Park HS Mixed Choir, 2021 – Lisa Holt

Henry MS Women’s Choir, 2019 – Amanda Ransom

Vandegrift HS Women’s Choir, 2019 – Michael Zook

TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

HONOR BANDS

Wiley MS Wind Ensemble, CC 2023 - Taylor Williamson

Vandegrift HS Wind Ensemble, AAAAAA 2019 – Mike Howard

Henry MS Honors Band, CCC 2018 – Robert Herrings

Henry MS Honors Band, CCC 2014 – Robert Herrings

Cedar Park HS Wind Ensemble, AAAA 2014 – Steve Wessels

Henry MS Honors Band, CCC 2010 – Robert Herrings

Leander HS Band, AAAA 1994 – Dennis Hopkins

TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION INVITED BANDS

Canyon Ridge MS Honors Band, 2021 – Amy Allison

MIDWEST CLINIC PERFORMANCES

Henry MS Honors Band, 2022 - Robert Herrings

Leander HS Wind Ensemble, 2021 – Robert Selaiden

Stiles MS Honors Band, 2021 – Darcy Williams

Vandegrift HS Wind Ensemble, 2021 – Mike Howard

Cedar Park MS Symphonic Band, 2019 – Britni Dunn

Vandegrift HS Percussion Ensemble, 2017 – Joe Hobbs

Henry MS Honors Band, 2016 – Robert Herrings

Four Points MS Wind Ensemble, 2015 – Chris Yee

Stiles MS Honors Band, 2015 – Darcy Williams

Canyon Ridge MS Honors Band, 2014 – Amy Allison

Vista Ridge HS Wind Ensemble, 2014 – Bryan Christian

Henry MS Trombone Ensemble, 2012 – Robert Herrings

Cedar Park MS Saxophone Ensemble, 2011 – Manuel San Luis

Henry MS Honors Band, 2010 – Robert Herrings

Cedar Park MS Symphonic Band, 2008 – Manuel San Luis

SUDLER CUP RECIPIENTS

Canyon Ridge MS, 2018 – Amy Allison

Henry MS, 2011 – Robert Herrings

Cedar Park MS, 2008 – Manuel San Luis

SUDLER FLAG RECIPIENTS

Vista Ridge HS, 2022 – Bryan Christian

Vandegrift HS, 2021 – Mike Howard

SUDLER SHIELD RECIPIENTS

Leander HS, 2022 - Robert Selaiden

Vandegrift HS, 2020 – Mike Howard

Vista Ridge HS, 2018 – Bryan Christian

Cedar Park HS, 2006 – Steve Wessels

EARL D. IRONS PROGRAM OF DISTINCTION

Vandegrift HS, 2022 – Mike Howard

WESTERN INTERNATIONAL BAND CLINIC PERFORMANCES

Glenn HS Wind Ensemble, 2022 – Jeremiah Figlewicz

Cedar Park HS Saxophone Ensemble, 2021 – Chris Yee

Running Brushy MS Symphonic Band, 2018 – Van Robison

Rouse HS Wind Ensemble, 2015 – Lee Crochet

Leander HS Wind Ensemble, 2014 – Nils Gundersen

Henry MS Honors Band, 2013 – Robert Herrings

Wiley MS Honors Band, 2012 – Garland Chiasson

Henry MS Honors Band, 2009 – Robert Herrings

NATIONAL CONCERT BAND FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES

Running Brushy MS Symphonic Band, 2017 – Van Robison

TMEA INVITED PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

Vista Ridge HS, 2023 – Hector Gil

PERCUSSIVE ARTS SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION PERFORMANCES

Vista Ridge HS, 2018 – Hector Gil

Wiley MS, 2016 – Emily Tannert

Henry MS, 2014 – Hector Gil

BOA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Vandegrift HS, 2019 – Mike Howard

NATIONAL BAND ASSOCIATION

PROGRAMS OF EXCELLENCE BLUE RIBBON AWARD — SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION

Henry Middle School, 2022 — Robert Herrings

HECTOR GIL | DIRECTOR

Hector Gil is in his twentieth year of teaching and joined the staff at Vista Ridge High School and Henry Middle School as the Director of Percussion in 2008. He attended Texas A&M University – Commerce, where he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2001. He marched the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 1997 and 1998 as a member of the snareline. He was also a member of the 2000 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition winning collegiate ensemble with the Texas A&M University – Commerce Percussion Ensemble. He has been extremely fortunate to study from some incredible teachers that include Carlos Gil, Dr. Brian West, Bobby Francis, Bill Bachman, Jim Yakas, and Matt Savage. Hector began his teaching career at United High School in Laredo, TX (2002-2005), then moved to Fort Worth to be the Drumline Instructor for the Texas Christian University “Horned Frog” Marching Band (2005-2007) and is now in his 15th year as the Director of Percussion at Vista Ridge High School (2008-Present). In 2022, he served as the Percussion Caption Head for the Bluecoats 50th Anniversary Drum Corps. In his tenure at Vista Ridge HS and Henry MS, his students have achieved numerous accolades that include being named The TMEA Invited Percussion Ensemble Winner (2023 - Vista Ridge), The TMEA Honor Band Winner (2018, 2014, 2010 - Henry MS), The Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition Winner (2018 - Vista Ridge), The Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition Winner (2014 - Henry MS), The Texas 6A UIL State Marching Band Champion (2018 - Vista Ridge), The Midwest International Clinic Performer (2014 - Vista Ridge), The Midwest International Clinic Performer (2022, 2016, 2012, 2010 - Henry MS), The Black Swamp Percussion Ensemble Showcase Winner (2017 - Vista Ridge), The Foundation for Music Education National Percussion Ensemble Winner (2018 - Vista Ridge), The Bands of America Grand National Championship Finalist (2021 - Vista Ridge), and numerous finalist performances at Bands of America Regional Championships. In addition, The Vista Ridge “Ranger” Marching Band represented Texas and Leander ISD at the 2023 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California last month.

In addition to his teaching duties, Hector is an avid designer, arranger, clinician, and adjudicator for various high schools across Texas. His professional affiliations include The Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and he is a proud artist with Innovative Percussion and Sabian Cymbals.

Hector’s wife Brandy is “Superwoman” at everything, and together they have 2 beautiful daughters, Makayla and Elena, and their puppy Stella.

BRYAN CHRISTIAN | DIRECTOR

Bryan Christian graduated from Lampasas High School in 1985. He attended Abilene Christian University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 1989. Receiving a Graduate Assistantship at Stephen F. Austin State University, he then began his graduate work and received his Master of Arts degree in Conducting and Clarinet Performance in August of 1991. He began his teaching career in Birdville Independent School District as Associate Director of Bands at Richland High School. After spending eight years at Richland, he was selected as the first Director of Bands at Stony Point High School in Round Rock ISD. Mr. Christian spent four years at Stony Point before moving to Leander ISD to open Vista Ridge High School in 2003, where he has since been the Director of Bands. Under his leadership, the Vista Ridge Band has performed at the Midwest International Band Clinic, received the Sudler Shield, were the 2018 UIL 6A State Marching Band Champions, were a 2021 BOA Grand Nationals Finalist where they received an invitation to march in the 2023 Tournament of Roses Parade, and most recently was awarded the Sudler Flag of Honor.

Mr. Christian has been married to his college sweetheart, Cheryl, who was an oboist at ACU, since 1988. They have two beautiful girls, Caroline, and Cassie, both of whom were in the Vista Ridge Ranger Band & Wind Ensemble and who continued to participate in Band and Music where they currently reside.

Mr. Christian is an active adjudicator and clinician and is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu, Mu Phi Epsilon, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Mr. Christian is also a Founding Board Member and Vice-President of the new national association, “SLAM” (Servant Leadership Association for Musicians).

ZACH SANTOS | DIRECTOR

Zach Santos graduated from Round Rock High School in 2014. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his bachelor’s degree in music studies in 2018. While attending UT, he earned his trumpet performance certificate, as well as his business foundations certificate from the McCombs School of Business. Most recently he received his Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University. He is currently in his fifth year of teaching at Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During these five years the band has won the 2018 UIL 6A State Marching Band Championship, been a 2021 BOA Grand Nationals Finalist, and been invited to march in the 2023 Rose Parade. The band is a consistent finalist at all BOA regionals as well as other local contests. His concert ensembles have received sweepstakes and he has enjoyed conducting the Concert and Symphonic bands, and now the Wind Symphony.

Mr. Santos currently serves as a choreographer and clinician for many programs throughout the State of Texas and is lucky to be able to share his passion with countless students. His marching arts experience includes Program Coordinating for the Guardians, teaching Visual for Blue Knights, Phantom Regiment, and Rhythmic Force as well as giving clinics at System Blue and Blue Knights Experience Camps. He has given presentations at The Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, Texas Music Educators Convention, and the Midwest Clinic. Mr. Santos is also a proud employee of SASI – The Leadership People, teaching students about leadership throughout the country. He is excited to join The Breakdown Camp this summer!

His performance experience includes marching with the Guardians (2013), Crossmen (2014), Blue Knights (15-16), and the world championship Blue Devils (2017). While at UT he performed with the Wind Ensemble under Jerry Junkin, as well as the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Con Moto, Caribbean Ensemble, and Plan Sonidero. He continues to perform as a trumpet player in the Cedar Park Winds and for local churches.

In his free time, Mr. Santos enjoys spending time with his wife, Kendall, and two dogs, Hudson, and Hooey. When not with family or doing band, you can find Mr. Santos fishing or enjoying the outdoors!

KATE THANE | DIRECTOR

Kate Thane graduated from Texas State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Music Studies with a trumpet concentration in 2020. She studied with Keith Winking, Kyle Glaser, and Caroline Beatty. While at Texas State, she was a member of the Bobcat Marching Band where she served as Drum Major and was a member of the Texas State Symphonic Band, the Texas State Wind Symphony, the Jazz Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra.

She began her band directing career in Fort Bend ISD as Associate Director of Bands at Clements High School. While there, she was named Rookie Teacher of the Year by both the Clements Campus and by the school district. Her concert bands and marching bands received sweepstakes ratings at all UIL contests, and her marching band competed at the 6A UIL State Marching Contest. Currently, Thane teaches in Leander ISD at Vista Ridge High School. Here, she directs the Symphonic Band and Concert Band. She also assists with the marching band. During the Fall of 2023, the marching band placed 5th at the State Marching Contest and performed in the Rose Parade. Thane’s drum corps experience includes marching with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (2017-2019). During the 2017 season, she marched lead mellophone. The following two seasons, she was in the trumpet section. In the 2018 season, she was named “Visual Member of the year” and in the 2019 season, she served as trumpet section leader. Starting in the 2020 season, she joined the Cadets staff as a high brass technician. In 2023, she also took on the role of Choreography Liaison.

Ms. Thane is happily engaged to her college sweetheart and fellow trumpet player, Donovan. They have a miniature dachshund named Penny.

Erin Kosman

Erin Kosman graduated from Stockton University with a degree in Business Studies with a concentration in Marketing and Visual Arts in 2009 and her Bachelor of the Arts in Education in 2012. She has proudly directed the Vista Ridge Color Guard program for the past six years and is in her inaugural year serving as director of the Henry Middle School Color Guard program. Erin has had an extensive marching arts career and the pleasure of teaching, choreographing, and consulting with many prestigious programs throughout the United States.

Erin began her performing arts career as a baton twirler. A multi-time NJ State Champion, she performed and competed for ten years throughout the country. Highlights of her performances include NBTA World Championships at Notre Dame University, Twirl Mania Championships at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports, The Miss America Parade, and The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Erin’s DCI marching career includes the Crossmen in 2003 and the Phantom Regiment in 2004, 2006, and 2007. In the winter months, Erin was a member of the Black Watch Winter Guard, one of the longest running winter guard programs in WGI history. As a member from 2004 – 2014 Erin was a seven-time WGI World Class Finalist performer. She served as captain in 2009 – 2010 and staff member 2011-2012. Erin taught the Colts Drum Corps from 2008 – 2009, served as lead guard instructor for Spirit of Atlanta 2010-2013, and color guard caption head for the Jersey Surf 2016 – 2017. Erin has also had the pleasure of choreographing for United Percussion in 2013 and Phantom Regiment in 2015. This past summer she proudly served as a staff member for the Bluecoats Color Guard.

Under her leadership the Vista Ridge Color Guard program has flourished. During her time with Vista Ridge, they have been a consistent WGI and BOA finalist program, won the 2018 Texas UIL 6A State Champions, were named a 2021 Bands of America Grand National Finalists, and were elected to perform in the 2023 Tournament of Roses Parade. The Vista Ridge winter guard has grown to include three ensembles, in which their Varsity ensemble has been Texas Color Guard State Finalists in 2019 and 2022 and 2021 WGI Virtual World Championship Finalists.

When not teaching color guard, Erin enjoys spending free time with her husband Erik and their two fluffy huskies Dakota and Penny.

IVAN TRAC | INSTRUCTOR

Ivan Trac is a freelance percussionist and private lesson teacher based in Cedar Park, TX. Ivan has maintained a private lesson studio in the Leander ISD since 2017 and has served as a percussion specialist for several middle school band programs. He is currently the percussion specialist at Henry Middle School and Stiles Middle School. The Stiles Middle School Honors Band performed at the 2021 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Ivan also works extensively with the Vista Ridge percussion program as a private lesson teacher and serves as the front ensemble coordinator for the Vista Ridge Marching Band. In 2018, The Vista Ridge Marching Band won the 6A UIL State Marching Contest. The Vista Ridge Percussion Ensemble performed at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ivan graduated with a B.M. in Percussion Performance from the University of Florida in 2013, and a M.M. in Percussion Performance from Lee University in 2016 under the tutelage of Dr. Andy Harnsberger. His past teachers also include Dr. Kenneth Broadway, Dr. Ellis Hampton, and Brandon Cruz. Ivan also spent two summers (2011 and 2012) playing marimba with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps and served as co-section leader in 2012. Ivan has been a member of the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps percussion staff from 2020 - 2022. Ivan has been a percussionist with the Cedar Park Winds since 2018 and most recently performed at the 2022 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio.

CAMERON CARBONE | INSTRUCTOR

Cameron Carbone is a professional touring/studio drummer and world-class educator from Dallas, TX. Since receiving his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University, Cameron has taught for over 12,000 total hours to 500+ students from all over the world and has amassed over 100,000 collective followers/subscribers with his drum education-style content. Cameron is primarily known for his drumming in the instrumental, progressive-metal band Altermind (for fans of Animals As Leaders, Intervals, and Periphery) and his drum education platform Paragon Drums with Clay Aeschliman of Polyphia.

To find out more about Cameron, please visit www.cameroncarbone.com

DR. JORDAN WALSH | INSTRUCTOR

Jordan Walsh is a percussionist, audio engineer, and educator based in Austin, Texas. A proponent of electronics and theater in music, he strives to perform the most absurd music with the most genuine fervor. Jordan frequently commissions and performs new works in both chamber and solo settings, including recent collaborations with composers including Elainie Lillios, Akshaya Avril Tucker, Kitty Xiao, and José Martinez. Frequently engaged as a solo performer, Jordan has appeared as a guest at the SEAMUS conference, the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, with upcoming engagements including residencies at Purdue University and Colby College. He is a founding member of Less Than 10 Music, principal percussionist/personnel manager for the Density512 new music collective, and a founding member of the Up/Down percussion quartet. Jordan’s work as an electroacoustic composer and performer led him to form the Electronic Integration Project, a dual commissioning and pedagogical effort intended to teach electroacoustic performance practice to performers.

Jordan currently serves as Assistant Professor of Percussion at Southwestern University and Adjunct Associate Professor of Percussion & Audio Technology at Austin Community College. His primary teachers have included Thomas Burritt, Tony Edwards, Paul Vaillancourt, Ryan Smith, and Erik Forst. Jordan proudly endorses Sabian Cymbals, Black Swamp Percussion, and Artifact Percussion. When he is not engaged with contemporary classical music, Jordan can be found playing drums with singer-songwriter James Tabata and prepared guitar with Austin’s experimental folk band Middle Sattre.

SAM WHEELER | INSTRUCTOR

Before coming to Austin to pursue my master’s and DMA I received my undergraduate degree in Contemporary Music from Western Oregon University. While in my undergrad I taught extensively in Oregon teaching marching groups as well as facilitating concerts for high school and middle school chamber percussion ensembles. Additionally performed several seasons of WGI and DCI performing with Phantom Regiment, OC Indoor, and Oregon Crusaders. My goal both as an educator and a performer is to make all music making feel inclusive, accessible, and engaging.

CAROLINE RICHARDS | INSTRUCTOR

Caroline Richards is a percussion performance doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her master’s degree at Columbus State University, where she also earned her undergraduate music degree. She enjoys teaching in a wide range of settings including musical theater, private lessons, and marching band. Caroline has played with many groups, including the CSU Percussion Ensemble, Philharmonic, and Wind Ensemble. She has also been a part of many stage productions as an orchestra member, including Fiddler on the Roof, The Nutcracker, and Cinderella. Outside of CSU, she has played with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist, and the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra as a timpanist.

TOM RARICK | GUEST ARTIST

Tom is the Director of Percussion for the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps. He previously held the position of Front Ensemble Designer (2002-2008) and assumed the role of Percussion Designer/Composer in 2009. During his tenure, the Bluecoats have positioned themselves as one of the premier organizations in Drum Corps International, highlighted by winning the 2016 DCI World Championship and the 2022 Fred Sanford Best Percussion Award. For more than two decades, Tom served as a percussionist with the United States Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass in Washington DC. He was honored to perform at Super Bowls XLIX and LIV, six Presidential Inaugurations, and contributed to thousands of other ceremonies ranging from White House arrivals to full honor funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to his work for the Bluecoats, Tom is a composer, arranger, and consultant for several bands and pageantry organizations that include Vista Ridge High School (TX), Blue Springs High School (MO), and the University of Alabama. He has also been a percussion adjudicator for Winter Guard International since 2007.Tom is a signature artist for Innovative Percussion Inc. and assisted in the development of the FS-TR drumstick as well as a seven-model line of marimba/vibraphone mallets. He is also proud to endorse Tama I Bergerault marching & concert percussion, Evans drumheads, and Zildjian cymbals.

BRIAN A. WEST | GUEST ARTIST

Brian A. West is a Professor of Music and the Division Chair/Coordinator of Percussion at Texas Christian University. Under his direction, the TCU Percussion Studio has received international recognition. The TCU Percussion Orchestra/Percussion Ensemble was named a winner in the 2022, 2019, 2015, 2011, 2008, and 2005 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competitions, and the TCU Drumline won the 2012 and 2006 PAS Marching Percussion Festivals. Prior to coming to TCU, Dr. West served as the Director of Percussion Studies at Texas A&M University-Commerce, a winner in the 2000 PAS International Percussion Ensemble Competition.

He has conducted/performed in Hawaii, Italy, Spain, England, France, Australia, Taiwan, and across the United States. Dr. West’s passion for the percussion orchestra/percussion ensemble has led to commissioning/premiering over forty new works for this medium. Additionally, he is the Executive Producer of four percussion orchestra/percussion ensemble CDs.

Within the Percussive Arts Society, Dr. West has served on the Board of Advisors and is currently finishing his second term as the Chair of the Percussion Ensemble Committee. He is an active performer, clinician, composer/arranger, and adjudicator for a variety of percussive events. Dr. West holds a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, master’s from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas. He works as a clinician/ artist for Innovative Percussion, Yamaha, Remo, Marimba One, and Sabian.

Dan Bechdolt

Dan Bechdolt is an accomplished musician, composer, and educator who has lived in Austin, TX for the past 23 years. Mr. Bechdolt hails from Southern California, but relocated to Denton, TX to study at the University of North Texas where he received his Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies – Performance in 2000. While at UNT, Bechdolt studied under Woody Witt, Jay Miglia, Will Campbell, Dan Haerle, Mike Steinel, Keith Javors, and Alan Baylock.

While in Denton, Mr. Bechdolt co-founded the soul-funk collective Mingo Fishtrap, who continues to record and tour nationally and internationally to this day. The band has performed alongside greats such as Sting, Snarky Puppy, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Blues Traveler, Earth Wind & Fire, Trombone Shorty & Parliament Funkadelic, among many others.

For the past 19 years, when not on the road, Mr. Bechdolt has taught saxophone privately in the north Austin area and his students are often recognized at the state level. Mr. Bechdolt also frequently clinics local-area jazz orchestras, conducts saxophone masterclasses in classical & jazz disciplines, and performs with many top local groups such as Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, Spoon, Fastball, the Red Young Quartet, Red Young and his Hot Horns, the N.O.W. Jazz Orchestra, and the Boss Street Brass Band.

Gilbert Elorreaga

Gilbert Elorreaga is a trumpeter for Latin-funk and cumbia powerhouse Grupo Fantasma and progressive funk ensemble Brownout based out of Austin, Texas. With Grupo Fantasma, Gilbert is a 2008 Grammy Award nominee and a 2010 Grammy Award winner in the Best Latin Rock category for Grupo’s album El Existencial, and was the backing band for several tours with the late artist Prince. For his contributions to the Austin music scene, he is an inductee of the Austin Music Hall of Fame. Along with his performing successes, Gilbert remains a dedicated teacher in both Leander ISD and Round Rock ISD where he maintains a studio of nearly 100 students. Many of these students have gone on to study trumpet at the undergraduate and graduate level and are the next generation of trumpet professionals around the country. He’s placed students in the highly competitive Texas All-State Bands and Orchestras every year for the last two decades. Gilbert’s students also successfully participate in the prestigious National Trumpet Competition. Under his expert guidance his students have been named Champion of the National Trumpet Competition Junior Division in 2021 and 2022. This year he will have two students in the high school solo division and a group competing in the high school ensemble division in Boulder, CO. Students from his studio have gone on to win scholarships to some of the most prestigious music programs in the country including The University of Texas-Austin, University of North Texas, Baylor, Cleveland Institute of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, Mannes School of Music, Eastman and The Colburn School in Los Angeles, CA. Gilbert is an alumnus of Texas State University. Outside of music he loves sports and is a lifetime San Antonio Spurs fan. Gilbert lives in Austin with his wife, Laura and two daughters, Elena and Ashley.

Mark Gonzales

Mark Valentino Gonzales, AKA “SpeedyG”, arrived in Texas from Philadelphia in 1990. While attending the University of North Texas he had the honor of being a member of the famed One O’Clock Lab Band under the direction of Neil Slater. He received a bachelor’s in music education and began gigging regularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area absorbing a vast number of musical styles and genres.

Mark joined Austin’s own Grupo Fantasma in late 2008. Their 2011 album, El Existential which featured many arrangements done by Gonzales won a Grammy for best Latin Rock Alternative/Urban album. He is currently performing and arranging for the group and its various satellite projects.

When in Austin, Gonzales is very active in the Traditional Jazz/Dixie scene, playing the Relevators, San Antonio’s Dirty River Band(s) and is bandleader of the Sahara Swingtet. He has also become popular among composers, songwriters, and producers such as Steve Berlin for his horn arranging abilities and studio work.

Throughout his career, Mark as had the honor of playing and/or working with artists such as the Black Pumas, Chance the Rapper, Erykah Badu, Bonnie Raitt, Justin Timberlake, Sheryl Crow, GZA (Wu Tang Clan) and many others.

Josh Levy

Josh Levy is a Grammy award winning baritone saxophonist. His work can be heard with various artists internationally and he has been working with Grupo Fantasma & Brownout in Austin, TX for over 15 years.

As an avid dog lover, Josh is currently studying to earn his certification as a professional dog trainer in his spare time.

SOPHOMORES | BRADLEY BENNETT, JORDYN CHANG, HARIN CHOI, LUKE COLLINS, ISABELLA FLORES, EVAN HAMMOND, STEPHANIE HUANG, IAN LEE, GABRIEL MYERS, AARON NANCE, CHANCE PARK, MIGUEL PEREZ, MARIAN STAHL, LANCE SURBER

FRESHMEN | STUART HALE, KASSANDRA FELICIANO, BRIAN LEE, RILEY MICKS, TEJAS MOOGALA, CHASE POMROY, GABRIEL RANEY, ELLIE SHOUP, AIDEN TUCKER, SHWETHA

VAGEESWARAN, SANTIAGO VALDEZ

Vista Ridge High School Private Lessons Staff

FLUTE

Dr. Rachel Kaplan

Beth Spicer

Kristine Reaume

OBOE

Dr. Amy Burgus

BASSOON

Shawn Karson

Julia Littleton

CLARINET

Mary Schani

Veronica Gerhard

SAXOPHONE

Ben Kessler

Billy McPhail

TRUMPET

Gilbert Elorreaga

Casey Martin

FRENCH HORN

David Nowell

TROMBONE

Gram Lee

Dr. Billy Gayman

EUPHONIUM

Brett Blackstone

Our Family Of Leander Isd Band

CEDAR PARK HIGH SCHOOL

Chris Yee

Kendall Santos

Jeremiah Armstrong

Roland Chavez

GLENN HIGH SCHOOL

Jeremy Figlewicz

Zack Travis

Jacob Gall

LEANDER HIGH SCHOOL

Ryan Sirna

Michael Swiren

Amanda Petro

Daniel Reberger

ROUSE HIGH SCHOOL

Ryan Johnstone

Caitlin Wolf

Matt Wood

James Sparling

VANDEGRIFT HIGH SCHOOL

Katie VanDoren

Anna Bush

Kyle Norris

Joe Hobbs

CANYON RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Amy Allison

Tristan Rivera

Steve Myers

CEDAR PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Britni Hummel

Brandon Morrison

Michelle Kim

DANIELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Andrea Gonzalez

Lauren Piccione

Eric Chen

FOUR POINTS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Jessica Gonzales

Cori Swan

Adrian Teti

HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Robert Herrings

Katherine Norris

Aaron Sanchez

DIRECTORS

TUBA

David Hummel

PERCUSSION

Ivan Trac

Cameron Carbone

Jordan Walsh

LEANDER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Liz Love

Jeremiah Ward

Iliana Reyna

RUNNING BRUSHY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Van Robison

Mark Urbina

Garrett Wallace

STILES MIDDLE SCHOOL

Darcy Vogt Williams

Jenna Yee

TJ West

WILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Taylor Williamson

Cristina Barrera

Rachel Johnstone