Burnt Orange Band Band Parent Association

2011-2012 The Joy Within Audio Files

Charms

UIL Acknowledgement Form

All Region Etude Recordings

Christopher Brown
Director of Bands, Honors Band

Christopher Brown was named the Director of Bands at West Mesquite High School in July 2010. Prior to this appointment he served as a Graduate Assistant with the University of Houston Bands while earning a Master’s Degree in Wind Band Conducting from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Responsibilities with the UH band department included directing the University Band for non-music majors, the Symphonic Band, and the “Cougar Brass” basketball band. Additionally, he assisted with instruction of the “Spirit of Houston” Marching Band, the Symphonic Winds, and the acclaimed UH Wind Ensemble. While at UH, Mr. Brown had the opportunity to come under the mentorship of David Bertman, John Benzer, Marion West, and Eddie Green.

Mr. Brown’s responsibilities at West Mesquite High School include conducting the Honors Band, Concert Band, and team-teaching the Symphonic Band and the “Burnt Orange Band” Marching Band. He is also responsible for the overall focus and management of the band program and its feeder school, A.C. New Middle School.

Prior teaching experience includes positions at McKinney High School in McKinney, TX, the Plano East Senior High School cluster of schools in Plano, TX, and A&M Consolidated High School in College Station, TX. Bands under Mr. Brown’s direction have been awarded superior ratings in University Interscholastic League Marching, Concert, and Sight Reading contests, and have been named “Best in Class” at various music festivals around the state.

Coming to Texas from Louisiana, Chris received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA. During his time at Northwestern, Chris had the honor to serve as Drum Major of the “Spirit of Northwestern” Demon Marching Band under the direction of Mr. Jeff Mathews for three years, the last two of those as the Head Drum Major, and has served on the instructional staff of the NSU Drum Major camp since 2002. As a performer at NSU, Chris played in the saxophone sections of the NSU Wind Symphony under the direction of Mr. William Brent, the NSU Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Ken Green, the NSU Jazz Ensemble, the Natchitoches/Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles.

As a clinician, adjudicator, and performer, Chris has had the opportunity to work with directors and students around the country.

Mr. Brown is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and the Texas Music Educators Association.

Lacy Brown
Associate Director of Bands, Symphonic Band

Lacy Brown has been an Assistant Director at West Mesquite High School since 2008. Her primary responsibilities include directing the Symphonic Band and team-teaching the marching band and other ensembles. Ms. Brown also assists with the Advanced and Intermediate bands and teaches beginning brass at A.C. New Middle School.

During her membership in the Whitesboro High School Band, under the direction of Mr. Pat Autry, Ms. Brown was a member of the ATSSB All-State Symphonic Band for four years. She was also selected as an “Outstanding Performer” three times at the Texas U.I.L. State Solo & Ensemble Competition. In 2002, she graduated Valedictorian from Whitesboro High School. Beginning her collegiate studies, Ms. Brown graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts in Music Education from Texas Woman’s University in 2005. During her student teaching at Argyle High School, Ms. Brown was fortunate to work with Ms. Cindy Mikel, Mr. Chris Burke, and Mr. Michael Lemish as they led the Argyle marching band to win the 2A State Marching Competition.

Continuing her education, she was awarded a Graduate Brass Assistantship at Texas Christian University and was principal euphonium in the Wind Symphony, under the direction of Mr. Bobby Francis. In 2008, she graduated with a Masters of Music in Instrumental Performance (Euphonium).

Among her collegiate accomplishments, Ms. Brown was a finalist at Regional International Tuba/Euphonium Conference competitions, as well as a semi-finalist in the International Leonard Falcone Euphonium and Tuba Competition in 2007.

Ms. Brown has studied euphonium with Mr. David Graves, Dr. Brian Meixner, Mr. Ed Jones, and Mr. Richard Murrow. Ms. Brown’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the International Tuba and Euphonium Association.

Michael Gibson
Associate Director of Bands, Percussion Cluster Coordinator, Jazz Band Director

Michael Gibson received his academic training at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA. As a performer at NSU Michael played both Bass Clarinet and Saxophone in the Wind Symphony under the direction of Mr. Bill Brent. He was also on the the Spirit Of Northwestern Demon Drumline under the direction of Mr. Ken Green, the Spirit of Northwestern marching band under the direction of Dr. Jeff Mathews, the NSU Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Galindo Rodriguez, the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra and other various chamber ensembles.

Michael Gibson joined the West Mesquite band program in July of 2010. Prior to his time in MISD Mr. Gibson served as assistant director of bands at Creekview High School, Dan F. Long and Blalack Middle Schools (Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD) and assistant director at both Garland High School and Austin Academy for Excellence in Garland ISD.
Bands under Mr. Gibson's direction and assistance have earned superior ratings at University Interscholastic League Marching, Concert and Sight Reading Contests.

Mr Gibson's responsibilities at West Mesquite High School include conducting the Jazz Ensemble, team teaching the Honors, Symphonic, and Concert Bands and the “Burnt Orange Band” Marching Band. Mr. Gibson also oversees and coordinates all percussion activities within the West Mesquite cluster.

As an active performer in the Natchitoches LA and Dallas-Fort Worth area, Mr. Gibson has had the opportunity to perform with many well respected musical groups such as Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs, The Crosswinds Jazz Band, Metro-Praise Orchestra, Metropolitan Winds, Celebration Jazz Band, Ken Savage and the Best Kept Secret, and Dallas' Original Jazz Orchestra where he can be heard on their 2006 CD Kenton Portraits- A Loving Salute released by Tantra Productions.

Mr. Gibson is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

Billy Hildreth
Marching Percussion Technician, Private Lessons Instructor

Billy Hildreth is a graduate of The University of Texas Arlington where he earned his bachelor's degree in music education. He studied under Dr. Michael Varner and James Yakas and well known jazz artist Adonis Rose. He was a member of the UTA marching band, concert ensembles, and winter drumlines. He also performed with the 2006 PASIC line which received 2nd place in competition. As a member of the UTA Percussion Ensemble he performed in concert with famous artists such as Orlando Cotto, John Riley, Peter Erskine, Ney Rosauro, and Edward Stephan. He currently resides in Euless, TX with is wife Traci and two pets.