Keith Lancaster is a native of Kyle, Texas and graduated from Hays High School. He attended Southwest Texas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1989. While at Southwest Texas, he was principal tuba in the Wind Ensemble and Drum Major of the Bobcat Band. Mr. Lancaster was a Texas music educator for 29 years. He taught at Weslaco High School, Woodsboro High School, and Mathis High School before taking his final position in 1998 with the Dripping Springs school district. After 20 years of service as Director of Bands in Dripping Springs, Mr. Lancaster retired in 2017. Under Mr. Lancaster's direction, the Dripping Springs High School band received numerous accolades at various concert and marching band contests. The Wind Ensemble consistently received superior division ratings at the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest and was awarded Best in Class at many festivals. In 2009, 2011, and 2015 the Wind Ensemble was named a TMEA Honor Band finalist. The Tiger Marching Band consistently received superior ratings at the UIL Region Marching Contest and has been a class champion and finalist band at premiere invitational contests across Texas. The Dripping Springs Marching Band was named the UIL 4A State Champion in 2009, the 4A State Silver medalist in 2011, and the 5A State Silver medalist in 2017.

Greg White has more than two decades of experience in the marching arts as a designer, clinician, educator, and adjudicator. He previously served as Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas, where he led one of the nation’s premier programs. During his tenure, the Reagan Marching Band won seven Bands of America Regional and Super Regional Championships, was a three-time BOA Grand National Finalist, and performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Reagan concert ensembles consistently earned Superior ratings, and the Reagan Wind Ensemble was a multiple-time TMEA State Honor Band Finalist. Reagan Band ensembles were invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic in 2015 and 2018.

Greg currently serves as Director of Operations for SASI Leadership as well as program coordinator for Greg White Designs, working with band programs across the country while remaining active as a clinician and adjudicator.

Garth Gundersen currently serves as Interim Director of Bands at East Texas A&M

University, where he leads the acclaimed ETAMU “Pride” Marching Band and conducts the

Wind Ensemble while also teaching courses in music education. The Pride Marching Band is

nationally recognized for its innovative design and excellence in the marching arts, with a history

that includes performances at the UIL State Marching Festival, BOA Regionals, Super

Regionals, and Grand Nationals. Under Gundersen’s leadership, the ensemble recently

delivered a landmark exhibition performance at the UIL 5A State Marching Contest in the

Alamodome, captivating more than 20,000 spectators with its dynamic production ET: First

Contact. Gundersen’s artistic vision continues to elevate the concert program at ETAMU through

collaborations with leading composers, including Ryan George (Acts of Congress) and Omar

Thomas (Caribana and Come Sunday), strengthening the university’s commitment to

contemporary repertoire and immersive performance experiences.

Before his appointment at ETAMU, Gundersen served as the Assistant Director of Fine Arts

for Killeen ISD, where he supervised band and orchestra programs across 6 high schools, 11

middle schools, and 33 elementary schools. Prior to his central-administration leadership, he

spent 26 years teaching bands in the greater Austin area, holding positions at Westlake HS,

Stephen F. Austin HS, and serving as Head Band Director at Akins HS, Hendrickson HS, and

James Bowie HS. His ensembles earned national acclaim with appearances at the Western

International Band Clinic (Seattle), the Midwest Clinic (Chicago), the Chicago

Thanksgiving Day Parade, the ABC Boscov’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Philadelphia), and

the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (New York City). His bands were consistent UIL

Sweepstakes Award recipients, UIL State Marching Contest participants, and Bands of

America Regional and Super Regional Finalists and Champions. Gundersen also served as

co-conductor of the Austin Youth Orchestra from 2018–2022, further extending his impact on

young musicians throughout Central Texas.

Gundersen earned his master’s degree in music education and conducting from The

University of Texas at Austin, studying with Jerry Junkin, Bob Duke, and Paula Crider. He

holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Louisiana State University, where he

studied with Frank Wickes and served as drum major of the Golden Band from Tigerland. A

frequent adjudicator, clinician, arranger, and presenter, Gundersen maintains active professional

affiliations with TMEA, TBA, Phi Beta Mu, TMAA, and Pi Kappa Lambda. At East Texas

A&M University, he continues to champion artistry, innovation, and student-centered excellence,

shaping the next generation of performers, educators, and leaders in the musical arts.

Mr. Christian was the Director of Bands at Vista Ridge High School since its opening in 2003

until his retirement in May of 2023. Under his supervision, the Marching Band competed in the

Texas State Marching Contest eight times, 6 of those as a finalist, and 4 times placing in the top

five including being named the 6A State Champions in 2018. The Ranger Band has also been a

perennial participant and frequent finalist in BOA Regional and Super Regional Championships

and they were finalists in the 2021 BOA Grand National Championships. In 2017, Vista Ridge

was also named as a recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s coveted Sudler Shield and

in 2021 was awarded the Sudler Flag of Honor. A frequent National Winner of The Foundation

for Music Education’s National Wind Band Honors, the Vista Ridge Wind Ensemble performed

at the Midwest Clinic in 2014 and has placed in the top ten and top five in the TMEA Honor

Band Process multiple times. Mr. Christian received his BMEd from Abilene Christian

University and his Master of Arts Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He has

enjoyed serving our profession as a Guest Conductor, Clinician, and Adjudicator as well as UIL

and TMEA contest host and as a Region Officer for TMEA.

Recently, Mr. Christian served as the Temporary Conductor for the Interlochen Arts Academy’s

Wind Symphony. He gave 32 years to the band directing profession and is now enjoying helping

other directors as a consultant, clinician, and evaluator. He believes in the importance of

Culture, Relationships, Excellence, Service, and Transformative experiences in helping us

CREST the hills and mountains in our teaching journey.

Chris McCarthy is a professional Color Guard and Visual Designer, Educator, and Consultant based in Cedar Park, TX. He currently serves as Color Guard Director for The University of Texas Longhorn Band.

From 2013 to 2025, Chris served as Color Guard Director at McNeil High School in Austin, where he led the program to multiple appearances in the WGI Open Class Finals and a TCGC State Open Class Championship. He is also a Founder, Executive Director, and Designer of Origins Performing Arts in Austin, which fields multiple ensembles, including perennial WGI Independent Open and World Finalists. He also serves as Visual Coordinator and Choreographer for The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps.

Chris’s leadership experience includes serving as Caption Head for the Phantom Regiment Color Guard, and teaching with The Crossmen and Genesis Drum Corps. As a freelance designer, he offers a wide range of services, including marching band drill, winter guard staging, program coordination, winds and guard choreography, soundtrack design, and general consulting. His clients have included Cedar Park High School, Ronald Reagan High School, Dripping Springs High School, Round Rock High School, Cedar Ridge High School, and Cypress Woods High School.

He has served on the Texas Color Guard Circuit Task Force and the WGI Colorguard Advisory Board and was named the 2019 Texas Color Guard Circuit Director of the Year.

Originally from Binghamton, NY, his marching experience includes The Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps and Spectrum Winterguard. Prior to moving to Texas in 2013, he taught and choreographed for numerous programs throughout upstate New York.

Outside of the marching arts, Chris enjoys nature, art, coffee, music, and time with friends and family. He shares his life with two dogs, Charlie and Marzipan, and believes that laughter truly is the best medicine. He values building meaningful human connections both within and beyond the world of pageantry.

percussion judge