Mrs. Teri Smoot

Director of Bands

(817) 202-2500 Ext. 4232

Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Teri Rose Smoot is in her 21st year of band directing. She has been the Director of Bands at Nichols since the school opened in 2017, directing the Honor Band and Concert Band, and acting as the woodwind specialist for the program, teaching beginner Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, and Double Reeds. Mrs. Smoot also assists with the Symphonic Band. Prior to Nichols opening, she taught at Loflin Middle School, Joshua High School, North Joshua Elementary, and Plum Creek Elementary

Prior to teaching in Joshua, Mrs. Smoot taught in Kaufman ISD at O.P. Norman Junior High, Brownsville ISD at Garcia Middle School. In every district that Mrs. Smoot has taught in, she has received consistent Sweepstakes at UIL Concert & Sightreading, and has consistently placed students, namely clarinet players, in the all-region band. Most recently, Mrs. Smoot was named Teacher of the Year at Nichols Middle School for the 2021-2022 school year.

Prior to her band directing career, Teri studied clarinet under Dr. Bill O'Niell at University of Texas-Pan American, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She played in the Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Dean Canty, as well as the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Smolinski. She also played in the clarinet choir and in several civic ensembles in the Edinburg area. Mrs. Smoot is professionally affiliated with the Texas Bandmasters Association and Texas Music Educators Association.

Mrs. Smoot lives in Burleson with her husband Steve, two daughters Karissa and Melody, and their two heeler dogs Sam and Dean. In her free time, Mrs. Smoot enjoys all things Texas Rangers baseball!

Mr. Bryan Bass

Assistant Band Director

bassb@joshuaisd.org

(817) 202-2500 Ext. 4232

Bryan Bass is from Arlington, Texas, and this is his 7th year as the assistant director at Nichols. Mr. Bass directs the NMS Symphonic Band, and he is the brass specialist for the program, teaching beginner Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba. Mr. Bass also assists with the Honor Band and the Concert Band, and he also teaches the Jazz Band. His bands have consistently received superior ratings at UIL.

Mr. Bass graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Arlington, with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While at UTA, Mr. Bass studied horn under professor Gerald Wood, performed in the Wind Symphony and the Symphony Orchestra for four years, and was a member of the Maverick Marching Band, serving as a drum major his third year. Mr. Bass additionally played trumpet in the Jazz 3 Ensemble, as well as several chamber ensembles. He performed under the direction of Dr. Douglas Stotter, Dr. Clifton Evans, Dr. John Zastoupil, and Dr. Chris Evans.

Additionally, Mr. Bass has been highly-involved in the DCI activity. He marched mellophone in the Santa Clara Vanguard for three years, aging-out as lead mellophone and soloist his final year. Subsequently, Mr. Bass was on the brass staff for the Phantom Regiment in 2023, and for the Vanguard Cadets in 2018, 2019, and 2022. Mr. Bass is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association.

Mr. Bass currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife Pita and newborn son Samuel. In his free time, he enjoys playing disc golf, cheering on the Dallas Stars, and is highly active in his church alongside his wife!

Band Directors Assisting at NMS

Mr. Ross Langdon

JISD Director of Bands

Ross Langdon received his Bachelors of Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2008 with a teaching certificate EC-12. Mr. Langdon just completed his Masters in Educational Leadership from University of Texas at Tyler in 2023 with principal certification.

Mr. Langdon is entering his 18th year of teaching, and his 2nd year as the Director of Bands at Joshua ISD. He has taught recently at Venus, Castleberry, Alvarado, Wills Point and New Diana. Mr. Langdon has accomplished the Sweepstakes Award consistently throughout his career as well as state finalist in the outstanding performance series. Mr. Langdon will be in charge of the Spirit of Joshua, High School Honor Band and Concert Band, High School Jazz Band and assisting with Nichols and Loflin Middle School.

Mr. Langdon is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Band Masters Association and Texas Music Adjudicator's Assocation. Mr. Langdon performs trumpet and is an Elder at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Mr. Langdon has been married to Jenn Langdon for 8 years and has two daughters, Alayna (18) and Jaycie (6).

Mr. Langdon has a passion for teaching music and is an advocate for the Fine Arts programs. He is consistently working on developing positive rapport with students, collaborating with the band staff and supports high level learning for all students in Joshua ISD.

Mr. Brandt McKinzey

JHS Assistant Band Director

Brandt McKinzey is entering his fourth year at Joshua and ninth year of teaching overall. Before coming to Joshua, he worked in East Texas and West Texas. Having graduated from Mansfield High school, he was excited about the opportunity to move back closer to home and see his family more.

Mr. McKinzey is a fanatic for the local DFW sports teams, most notably The Rangers and Mavericks. He is still financially recovering from attending too many Ranger games during their championship run. Outside of sports and band, he loves to do things outside when it isn’t 100+ degrees, but he is also incredibly skilled at staying in and watching tv or playing video games with his friends.

In addition to working with Joshua’s band program, Mr. McKinzey enjoys playing his horn and listening to music of all kinds. Around Christmas and Easter time, it can be guaranteed that he will not have free time while he plays at local churches around DFW. In addition to playing the horn as often as he can, Mr. McKinzey also enjoys writing drill for a few programs around the state and follows the DCI community actively as well.

Mr. McKinzey cannot wait to get year four with Joshua going and see what’s next for the SOJ!

Mr. Trent Fox

JISD Percussion Director

Trent Fox is a 2005 graduate of Joshua High School and alumni of the Spirit of Joshua Band. He received his Bachelor's of Music Composition from West Texas A&M University in 2011, and his teaching certification from Southwestern Adventist University in 2012.

Mr. Fox is entering his 15th year of teaching at Joshua ISD and his 13th year as the Director of Percussion.

Mr. Fox is a member of the Texas Music Educator's Association, American Society of Composers Authors, and Publishers, Percussive Arts Society, is the Class A Representative for the North Texas Colorguard Association Steering Committee, and plays drumset on the worship team at LifeGate Church in Burleson.

Mr. Fox is married to his high school sweetheart (also Spirit of Joshua alumni) and wife of 17 years, Cameron Fox, and has 3 children, Willow (8), Clover (5), and Woodsen (3).

Mr. Evan Holcomb

NMS Assistant Percussion Director

Bio coming soon!

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