Directors

Pete Alvarado, Director of Bands

pete_alvarado@roundrockisd.org

512.428.2350

Classes taught: Honors Band, Concert Band, Beginner Clarinet, Beginner Flute, Beginner Double Reeds, Beginner Saxophone.

Quick Facts:

Favorite Color – Dark Blue

Favorite Disney/Pixar Movie – Ratatouille

Favorite Drink at Starbucks – Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream

Favorite Candy – Anything Dark Chocolate

Favorite Sports Team – Texas Longhorns

Favorite Restaurant – Chik Fil A

Favorite Academic Subject – Language Arts

I am a native of Round Rock, TX, where I attended Berkman Elementary, C.D. Fulkes Middle School and Round Rock High School.  While in high school I studied clarinet with Anna Carney.  I was a member of the Round Rock High School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Ed Stein. During my junior year we traveled to Great Britain, where we played concerts in London, Liverpool and Wales.

After High School I attended The University of Texas, where I received my Bachelors of Music in Music Studies.  While at UT, I was a member of the Showband of the Southwest: the University of Texas Longhorn Band, under the direction of Robert Carnochan.  During my years with the band I was appointed Baritone Section leader and performed in stadiums across the United States, as well as the Inaugural Parade for President George W. Bush.  While in college I studied clarinet with Professor Richard MacDowell. In the School of Music I was a performing member of the Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Jerry Junkin. I was lucky to perform in Carnegie Hall for the premiere of Circus Maximus. My favorite performance opportunity came in college when I traveled to Austria to be part of the Austrian American Mozart Academy. There I was the principal clarinetist in performances of The Marriage of Figaro and The Merry Widow under the direction of Keith Clark.

I taught in the Houston Area for one year before moving back to the Austin Area. I was the Assistant Director of Bands at Ridgeview Middle School for 8 years until the Summer of 2014, when I moved to Cedar Valley Middle School to be the Assistant Band Director and conductor of the Symphonic Band After the 2016-2017 school year the Symphonic Band was named Citation of Excellence Winner by the Foundation for Music Education.

At the end of the 2017 Fall Semester I was promoted to Head Band Director, taking over for Jane Botkin, who served as the first Head Director of Cedar Valley Middle School.  After the 2017-2018 school year the Honors Band was named National Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Project.

I have had the immense pleasure of being on staff for the middle school week of Longhorn Music Camp  for the last  decade or so.  If you’re looking for an excuse to hang out with me an extra week into the summer vacation, you should come to camp! It’s lots of fun and you get to learn fun music. The camp went on hiatus for the summer of '22, but will hopefully return some day...

As a musician, I play Bass Clarinet in the Cedar Park Winds (www.cpwinds.org.) As a founding member, I have enjoyed giving many fine concerts for the students of North Austin. The Cedar Park winds has played at both the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas and the Midwest International Band Convention in Chicago, Illinois. I love seeing students at my concerts! Please come see us play if you can.

When I’m not at school I enjoy listening to audiobooks and podcasts, drinking fancy coffee & espresso, watching tv and movies, jogging in my local park trail, playing video games, cooking, trivia & disc golf.

My wife is also a band director! She works in AISD at Bailey Middle School. We have 2 boys and a girl; Benjamin, Jackson and Eliana. 

Jeff Owen, Assistant Director of Bands

jeffery_owen@roundrockisd.org

512.428.2353

Classes Taught: Symphonic Band, Beginner Percussion, Beginner Trumpet, Beginner Horn, Beginner Trombone, Beginner Euphonium, Beginner Tuba

Quick Facts:

Favorite Color – Blue

Favorite Disney/Pixar Movie – Ratatouille

Favorite Drink at Starbucks – Pike Place with Cream

Favorite Candy – Sour Patch Kids

Favorite Sports Team – Dallas Cowboys

Favorite Restaurant – Canje

Favorite Academic Subject – History

My family and I moved to Dallas when I was going into 5th grade. That year I was introduced to playing music in school and with friends. It was love at first sight. I participated in band and jazz band at Greiner Middle School then joined every musical ensemble I could once I got to Woodrow Wilson High School.

After Graduation I attended Southwest Texas State University (soon to become Texas State) and played in the Bobcat Band as well as the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Full Orchestra. I was also a member of many percussion ensembles and steel drum bands during my time in San Marcos. 

I got my first opportunity to teach with Dripping Springs High School and Middle School where I worked as a percussion tech and private lesson teacher. During my teaching career I have had the opportunity to work in Pflugerville, Austin and Georgetown ISD. During that time I worked as an assistant band director at Pflugerville, Gorzycki and Murchinson Middle Schools and as the Director of Bands at Bedichek and Wagner Middle School.

Professional distinctions from my previous schools include numerous grants, a 2023 Leadership Profile Award, and the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year award from Wagner Middle School.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy performing, hiking, mountain biking, spending time with my friends and family, and taking my dog (Bernie) for a walk. Bernie is part beagle so you may have heard him around the neighborhood. I am a member of the Cedar Valley Community with my wonderful wife Allison and two daughters Madeline and Olivia.