Contact:

Phone: (817) 547-5500

Email: ray.hilley@birdvilleschools.net

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Mr. Hilley is thrilled to be joining the Richland HS Band Cluster as the new Head Director at North Richland Middle School. This year marks his 23rd year of teaching band in Texas. He began his teaching career in the Richardson ISD teaching at both Lake Highlands High School and Forest Meadow Jr. High. Following his time in Richardson, he taught for two years in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD at Cross Timbers Middle School, five years as the director of bands at Argyle Middle School in Argyle, Texas and most recently spent 13 years building the band program at Truett Wilson Middle School in Haslet, TX.

Mr. Hilley earned both his Bachelor's degree (2002) and Masters degree (2021) from Sam Houston State University. While at SHSU, he studied euphonium with Dr. Henry Howey and conducting with Dr. Matthew McInturf and Dr. Allen Hightower. Mr. Hilley was the principal euphonium of the SHSU Wind Ensemble, a member of the Bearkat Marching Band, and played piano with the SHSU Jazz Ensemble.

During his career Mr. Hilley’s bands have consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes Awards and many Best in Class trophies at various festivals. His bands have been participants in the ATSSB State OPS (Outstanding Performance Series) winning runner up in the “March” category in 2011 and 2012. In 2019, the Wilson MS Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis Indiana. He is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Mr. Hilley and wife Jen love traveling and playing with their English Bulldog Fiona, and cats Smiley, Henry and Baby. He is a faithful fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns. He enjoys cycling and when not spending his weekend at a race, you can find him reading or cooking.

Contact:

Phone: (817) 547-5500 ext 19062

Email: patrick.byars@birdvilleschools.net

I am excited to be in my third year of teaching as the Assistant Band Director here at North Richland! I teach the beginning Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba classes, as well as direct the seventh and eighth grade Symphonic Band and assist with the Concert and Honors Band. I am a native of North Richland Hills and am even a Richland Royal Alumni! I went to college at the University of North Texas, where I received my Bachelors of Music in Music Education. While there, I was a member of the Green Brigade Marching Band and served as the drum major my final year and performed with many ensembles as a member of the Trumpet Studio.  For the last three years, I was a Brass Private Instructor for Burleson and Alvarado ISD. I have been playing and performing on trumpet for nearly 15 years now and am very excited to teach young performers of my own in BISD! Outside of band, I am very active in fitness, I am a competitive Powerlifter, and enjoy many hobbies – including bass fishing, cooking/baking, spending time with loved ones, and yes… video games! Also, I have a very cute dog and his name is Bodhi! 

Contact:

Phone: (817) 547-7063

Email: nathan.hawk@birdvilleschools.net

Nathan Hawk is an educator, arranger, and percussionist who resides in Dallas, Texas. He currently serves as the Percussion Director for Richland High School from North Richland Hills Texas. His duties include: creating a cluster wide percussion curriculum 6-12, overseeing marching percussion, and conducting the percussion ensemble.

Prior to his appointment at Richland, Mr. Hawk was the Percussion Director at Irving High School, a private lesson teacher at Duncanville and Arlington Martin HS, and music arranger at various high schools in Texas and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Hawk has been involved in the indoor drumline and drum corps activity as an instructor, Coordinator, arranger, and performer. He was a member of the Hawthorne Caballeros (2004, 2007), The Glassmen (2008-2010), and Matrix IPE (2009-2011). As an educator Mr. Hawk taught with the Glassmen (2011 snare tech), Caballeros (2012-2013 Battery Coordinator - Front Ensemble coordinator) and arranged for the Penn State University ID (2013-2014).

Mr. Hawk received a Bachelors in Music Education from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where he studied under Dr. Gifford Howarth.