Directors

Ray Velasquez, Director of Bands

Ray Velasquez, a Corpus Christi, Texas native, was appointed Director of Bands at SMS in Fall 2023. Mr. Velasquez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas and a Master’s of Music Degree in Wind Conducting from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. In his study at Texas Tech, his primary conducting teacher was Dr. Sarah McKoin.

Mr. V has taught all over the state: two years in San Antonio at KIPP: Camino Academy and four years in Jacksboro at Jacksboro Middle and High School. At Texas Tech, he assisted with all facets of the Goin' Band from Raiderland and primarily conducted the University Band.

This will be Mr. V's fifteenth year in public education and 7th year at Strickland. His responsibilities include teaching all beginner brass classes, the Wind Ensemble, and the Concert Band. In his spare time, you can find him hanging with his miniature dachshund named Franklin, riding the biggest roller coasters in existence, and watching all the movies and TV shows he can consume.

Azael Garza, Associate Band Director

Azael Garza is a recent graduate from The University of North Texas, and will begin his third year of teaching at Strickland Middle School. Originally from Houston, he has resided in the Denton area since completing his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in Fall 2022.

Most recently, Mr. Garza student taught in Prosper ISD at Rushing Middle School and Prosper High School. The Rushing Middle School Band has been named among the “Best Communities for Music Education” for the past 3 consecutive years since its opening. The Rushing Middle School Wind Ensemble was also 1 of the 4 middle school bands in the entire world to be invited to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic during the 2022-23 school year. Azael also worked with the Prosper Mighty Eagle Marching Band during the 2022-23 season in which they competed in Finals of Grand Nationals at the Bands of America Marching Championship.

This year Mr. Garza’s responsibilities include teaching all beginner woodwind classes, the Symphonic Band, as well as the SMS Two O’Clock Jazz Band! In his spare time, Mr. Garza likes to read, play video games, try various new foods, and spend time with his Bichon poodle named Marshall and his 3 cats Peaches, Pear, and Plum.

Denton Sutherlin, Ryan Cluster Percussion Director

Denton Sutherlin is a percussion educator and performer with a wide variety of experiences. He values being well rounded and brings that experience to his teaching and performing.

Originally from Indiana, Mr. Sutherlin grew up on a small goat farm east of Indianapolis. He knew he wanted to be a music teacher since the end of sixth grade. Once he got to high school, he transferred schools leaving the small goat farm behind to find a better music education in the city.

After graduating high school Mr. Sutherlin attended Indiana University where he majored in Music Education. He performed in many ensembles including the Afro-Cuban ensemble, Brazilian ensemble, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble and philharmonic orchestra. While at IU, Mr. Sutherlin studied percussion with Kevin Bobo, John Tafoya, Michael Spiro and Steve Houghton.

During the summers of Mr. Sutherlin’s undergraduate degree, he kept busy with all kinds of activities. He spent two summers marching drum corps, one with The Mandarins and the other with The Cavaliers. He also attended summer festivals such as the Chosen Vale Percussion Festival and Nief-Norf Summer Festival. 

Mr. Sutherlin got his first job as the Percussion Director at Concord Community Schools. At Concord, he taught 6-12 percussion classes, organized the percussion ensemble concert, and directed the marching percussion. While at Concord both the marching band and concert band had made state finals, and the percussion studio grew to over seventy students. He taught at Concord for three years before making the move to Texas. 

The University of North Texas is what brought Denton to Denton! Starting a masters degree in percussion performance, Mr. Sutherlin spent two years performing with ensembles like the wind symphony, percussion ensemble and Afro-Cuban ensemble. He was also a teaching fellow with a studio of undergraduate percussion majors and teaching responsibilities including percussion methods, percussion ensemble and steel pan ensemble.

Mr. Sutherlin currently lives in Lewisville with his fiancé and their toy poodle, Minnie. Outside of music, Mr. Sutherlin enjoys running, hiking, camping and kayaking. 

MEET THE STRICKLAND VIKING BAND MASCOT!

Mr. V's miniature dachshund, Franklin, became the official mascot of the SMS Band during the 20-21 school year.
Franklin is the destroyer of plushies and loves people so much, he'd probably just go home with you if you tried.
(But don't, because Mr. V would probably cry.)
You will likely get a chance to meet him at some point during your time in the SMS Band!!!