Band Directors

Andrew Kier

Director of Bands

Mr. Kier is the Director of Bands at Anahuac ISD.  His teaching responsibilities include the Pride of Anahuac Marching Band, Anahuac High School Wind Ensemble, beginner clarinet, and beginner percussion.

Under Kier's leadership, the Anahuac Bands have maintained a hig level of performance, earning consisten UIL Sweepstakes Awards and advancing as UIL Area C marching band finalists.  Most recently, the Anahuac Wind Ensemble was an Outstanding Performance Series State Finalist and placed fifth in the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band Competition.  In addition, his 2024 Barbers Hill Symphonic Band was a Commended Citation of Excellence award winner by the Foundation for Music Education, a nationally recognized honor.

Mr. Kier received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Lamar University and his Master of Music in Music Performance from Bowling Green State University.  Mr. Kier maintains an active performance schedule and is a member of the  Bay Area Philharmonic, Sugar Land Winds, and Southeast Texas Winds & Percussion, where he is a member of the clarinet section.  Mr. Kier’s professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.

Morgan Contreras

Head Middle School Band Director

Mr. Contreras directs the Middle School Honors Band and oversees all aspects of the Middle School band program. Mr. Contreras also teaches the Beginner Flute and Saxophone classes, assists with the High School Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Middle School Concert Band. 

He is currently in his 6th year in education and has spent all 6 years at Anahuac ISD. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education from Lamar University. At Lamar, Mr. Contreras was part of the Lamar University Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Honors Saxophone Quartet, and helped conduct the University Concert Band. During the summer, Mr. Contreras still serves his Alma Mater as the Dorm Supervisor for the Lamar University Band Camps.

In his 6 years at Anahuac ISD, Mr. Contreras has served as the Assistant Band Director and as the Middle School Band Director for the past 5 years. His bands consistently receive Sweepstakes in Concert and Sight-Reading, have placed the past three years at the state level of the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series, including 1st in 2022, 2024, and 2025, was named the 2024 TMEA 1C Honor Band, and most recently accepted to perform at the 2026 Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mr. Contreras is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Association of Texas Small School Bands. 

Mr. Contreras lives in Liberty, TX with his wife Olivia who is the Head Jr. High Band Director at Hardin Jefferson Jr. High and their dog Bella. In their free time they enjoy watching Netflix, hiking, and cooking. 

Courtney Clanton

Color Guard Director

Mrs. Clanton is the Color Guard Director at the High School.  She oversees all things Color Guard including tryouts, choreography for stand tunes during marching season, and color guard portions of the marching show.  Mrs. Clanton also teaches Geometry at the High School.

Mrs. Clanton is currently in her 11th year in education.  She started with the Color Guard in the Spring of 2024 and just completed her first marching season as the Color Guard Director.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics Education from Western Governor’s University in 2016.  

Mrs. Clanton is a product of Anahuac ISD’s Band Program.  She participated in band at Anahuac ISD from 7th through 12th grade.  During that time, Mrs. Clanton participated in several different aspects of the band program.  She played flute and was a section leader; played tenor saxophone in the jazz band; played xylophone as part of an auxiliary feature for a marching show; was a Drum Major; participated in All-Region Band and Solo & Ensemble Contest; and was part of the first Sweepstakes achieved by Anahuac High School’s Band in over 20 years.  Mrs. Clanton was also a Color Guard member for 2 years and the Color Guard Captain as a senior.

When she is not at school, Mrs. Clanton enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 children, being active in her church, and watching the Houston Texans and Astros with her family.  She is also a proud band mom!