Directors

Robert Tyrome Herrings, III is entering his twentieth year of teaching and has been teaching at Henry Middle School in Leander ISD since 2004. Prior to coming to Leander ISD, he was the Director of Bands at Rockdale Junior High in Rockdale, Texas.

In 2003, Mr. Herrings received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he studied under Michael Haithcock, Jeff Grogan, Dr. Kevin Sedatole and Barry Hopper. While in college, Mr. Herrings was a member of the Baylor University performing wind bands, as well as a member of the Baylor University Golden Wave Band.

At Henry Middle School, Mr. Herrings conducts the Honors Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and beginning trombone class. He also teaches beginning flute and trumpet.  Mr. Herrings’ bands have consistently received UIL Sweepstakes ratings, as well as unanimous first division ratings, Best In Class, and Overall Outstanding Band honors at festivals around the state. In 2009-2014, the program at Henry earned distinction as a National Wind Band Honors Class AA winner, and in 2008 and 2013, the Henry Middle School Honors Band was selected to perform at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington. The program was named the 2010, 2014 and 2018 TMEA Class CCC Honor Band and was also selected to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2010, 2012, and 2016. In June 2011, Mr. Herrings and his program were awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award, and in July of the same year, Mr. Herrings was named the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year. In 2013, the Texas Chapter of the American School Band Director’s Association awarded the Artie Henry Middle School Band the Outstanding Band Program Award. The Percussion Ensemble at Henry Middle School was selected to perform at the 2014 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Most recently, the Henry Middle School Band Program was named the Texas Bandmasters Association's Exemplary Middle School Program of the Year for 2018.

An active clinician and adjudicator around the state, Mr. Herrings is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Herrings also serves as the TMEA Region 32 Middle School Band Chair, as well as the Region 32 TBA representative. He is also a mentor to new-to-profession teachers at Henry Middle School.

Mr. Herrings enjoys motivating young musicians to achieve the highest level of performance by sharing his extreme love and passion for music with them on a daily basis. He feels honored, privileged and extremely blessed to have a loving mother and grandmother, many great mentors, band directors and close friends who have influenced his career thus far.

Above all, his students have been his greatest inspiration!

Katherine Norris is in her sixth year as an Assistant Band Director at Henry Middle School. At Henry, she conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches the beginning flute, clarinet, and double reed classes. She also assists with the Concert and Honors Bands. Katherine’s bands have consistently received Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluation. In 2022 and 2023, her band was selected as a Citation Winner in The Foundation for Music Education’s Citation of Excellence Project. Under her direction, the Symphonic Band has also been named the Non-Varsity Grand Champion at the North Texas Festival of Distinction.

Katherine graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston in May 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. During her time there, she learned from master teachers: Eddie Green, John Benzer, and David Bertman. Katherine was a drum major for the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band. She was also president of the UH chapter of the National Association for Music Education and a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. 

Katherine has been a clinician at the Wisconsin Music Educators Conference, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and Texas Music Educators Convention. Katherine has been a member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps brass staff since 2019. She is also a part of the SASi Leadership Staff. Katherine's professional memberships include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. She works with bands in the Austin area as a clinician.

In her free time, she enjoys visiting local coffee shops, reading books, finding new restaurants to try with her husband, Kyle, and spending time with their Cavie, Gus!

A proud alumnus of Texas Tech University, Mr. Sommer earned his bachelor’s degree in music education in December 2022. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Sommer studied under Dr. Sarah McKoin, Dr. Eric Allen, Dr. Andrew Stetson, and Professor James T. Decker. His dedication and talent led him to serve as the principal tenor and bass trombonist of the Texas Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble and University Symphony Orchestra. Notably, he emerged as a finalist in the Texas Tech Concerto Competition. As a member of the Texas Tech School of Music, Mr. Sommer served as the treasurer and president of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Iota Tau Alpha, the official Texas Tech trombone studio organization. In addition to his academic pursuits, Mr. Sommer shared his expertise as a private lesson and masterclass teacher for middle school students in Lubbock. 

Prior to working with the Henry Middle School Band, Mr. Sommer was a substitute teacher in Leander ISD. This role allowed him to be immersed in many band programs and learn from various directors in the Leander community. This is actually how he was able to meet both Mr. Herrings and Mrs. Norris! After that, Mr. Sommer worked as a math teacher at Leander High School where he was able to learn and grow as an educator outside of the bandhall. 

When away from work, Mr. Sommer loves to spend time with his fiancée, Lupe. Together they enjoy watching movies, cooking, running, and being with their families. Both are new to Leander and LISD, but could not be more excited about the future!

Hector Gil is in his twentieth year of teaching and joined the staff at Vista Ridge High School and Henry Middle School as the Director of Percussion in 2008. 

He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2001.

Mr. Gils’ students and ensembles have achieved numerous accolades that include being named as the TMEA Honor Band Winners in 2010, 2014, and 2018, The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic Performers in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016, The Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition Winners in 2014, The Black Swamp Percussion Ensemble Showcase Winners in 2017, The Western International Band Clinic in 2008 and 2013, the Texas State Marching Band Championship in 2008, 2013, 2015, and 2016 and The Winter Guard International World Championships in 2006 and 2007.

Mr. Gil was a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 1997 and 1998. He was also a member of the 2000 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition winning collegiate ensemble with the Texas A&M University - Commerce Percussion Ensemble. While in college, Mr. Gil performed in various ensembles including the Texas A&M University-Commerce Wind Ensemble, the Texas A&M University-Commerce Drumline, the Texas A&M University-Commerce Steel Band, the Texas Christian University Wind Symphony, the Texas Christian University Symphony Orchestra, the Texas Christian University Percussion Ensemble, and the North East Texas Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Gil has studied from some incredible teachers that include but are not limited to his father Mr. Carlos Gil, Dr. Brian West, Bill Bachman, Jim Yakas, Matt Savage, and Allen Joanis.

Mr. Gil is an active composer/arranger for many programs, adjudicates for many competitions, and has served as a clinician for numerous percussion programs throughout Texas.

His professional affiliations include The Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and is a proud Education Artist with Innovative Percussion Inc.

Mr. Gil’s wife Brandy, their two daughters Elena and Makayla, along with their dog Ana makes him the luckiest man in the world!