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Kristin Hames is in her seventh year as Director of Bands at Hill Country Middle School. During her tenure at HCMS, the Symphonic Band has received first division ratings at the UIL Concert & Sight-reading evaluation, been named Best in Class and Overall Outstanding Band at the Director’s Choice Showcase of Music in San Antonio, and was recently a finalist in the TMEA state honor band competition. The Symphonic Band was also selected to perform at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis in March of 2020.
Previously, she was the head director at Stafford Middle School in Frisco, Texas and at Richardson North Jr. High in Richardson, Texas. The North Jr. High Symphonic Band was named first runner-up in the Texas State Honor Band competition in 2005. In 2008, Mrs. Hames was named as the Phi Beta Mu “Outstanding Young Bandmaster.” She was named as a Richardson ISD Teacher of the Year in 2006 and has also been honored with a PTA Lifetime Membership. Mrs. Hames began her career as the Assistant Band Director at Shepton High School in Plano where she was named as Beginning Teacher of the Year in 1999.
Mrs. Hames completed her Master of Music in Music Education from Southern Methodist University. She is an honor graduate from Texas A&M University – Commerce where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Mrs. Hames is an active clinician has conducted bands and workshops throughout the United States and in China, including a summer conducting at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. She has served as a member and the chair of the Texas UIL Prescribed Music List Committee. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu and Alpha Chi. Mrs. Hames lives just outside of Austin with her husband, Greg, and her rescue pets Scout and Atticus. In her free time, she enjoys fly fishing, hiking, running, and playing piano and guitar.
Chuck Fischer
Chuck Fischer
Band Hall
Chuck Fischer is an assistant band director in Eanes ISD and is beginning his 23rd year in the district. He is the EISD Middle School Percussion Director, and he will be directing the WRMS Wildcat Jazz Band. Under his direction, the students in the band programs have grown and thrived as student musicians, with many of them becoming successful artists and educators in their own right. His concert bands have won numerous awards including UIL Sweepstakes Awards and Best in Classification Honors. Mr. Fischer is happy to return to the WRMS campus where he began his career teaching private lessons for the WRMS band program under the direction of Bob Parsons and Susan Glover, and continue his tenure at HCMS where he has enjoyed working alongside Cheryl Floyd, Kevin Jedele, Kristin Hames, and Sean Riggen.
Mr. Fischer has spent his career as a music educator in Eanes ISD. He has enjoyed working with the HCMS band, the WRMS band, and the WHS band as well. He is an active performing musician in Austin, TX. You might see him playing in the orchestra pit at Bass Concert Hall, swinging with the Mr. Fabulous Big Band, being creative with the Golden Hornet Project, or just having fun playing rock and roll at any of Austin's great live music venues. He has been very fortunate to get to play with such artists as Willie Nelson, The Who, and Bobby McFerrin, as well as opening for acts like Bob Newhart and Jay Leno.
Mr. Fischer is an honors graduate of the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Studies as well as certification in Percussion Performance. He is a member of the Recording Academy (Grammy Awards), Texas Music Educator's Association, Texas Music Adjudicator's Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association. Mr. Fischer is one of the only middle school teachers to serve on the adjudication panel for the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. He is a drum set and education artist representing the Sabian Cymbal Company, and he is an endorsed artist for the Premier Drum Company USA, Musick Ltd.
Mr. Fischer lives in Northwest Austin with his wife Valerie, who is a professional cellist, and HCMS percussion student (and daughter) Marlo.
https://sabian.com/en/artist/chuck-fischer
Sean Riggen is entering his fifth year as an Assistant Band Director at Hill Country Middle School in Eanes ISD. Mr. Riggen teaches the 6th grade trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium, and tuba classes, and conducts the Hill Country Middle School Concert Band. The Concert Band has received first division ratings at the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading evaluation, and has been named Best in Class at Director's Choice Showcase of Music in San Antonio.
Mr. Riggen is a graduate of the Texas Tech University School of Music where he holds degrees in both Music Education and Music Performance. He has led an active performance career, performing with multiple quartets, brass choirs, and large ensembles across the state of Texas. Mr. Riggen is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Riggen lives in North Austin, where he enjoys playing disc golf, being outdoors, and exploring his new hometown.
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