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Amanda West - Director of Bands
512-424-8862
Mrs. Amanda West is in her 19th year of teaching and her 9th year with the Bulldog Band! She directs the Honor Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, and teaches all beginning woodwind and percussion classes. Under her leadership, the Honor Band has consistently earned Superior Ratings at the UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluations.
Before joining the team at Hernandez, Mrs. West taught at Callison Elementary and Oak Run Middle School.
A Round Rock native and graduate of McNeil High School, Mrs. West is also a proud alumna of the University of Texas at Austin. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Andrew, and their daughter, Abigail. She also loves exercising and performing with the Cinematic Symphony.
Jonah Bahta - Associate Director of Bands
512-424-8831
Mr. Bahta is in his 12th year of teaching and his 5th year with the Bulldog Band! He directs the Symphonic and Concert Bands, assists with the Honor Band, and teaches all beginning brass classes. Under his leadership, the Symphonic Band has earned consecutive Sweepstakes awards at the UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluation. He also coordinates the Hernandez private lesson program and serves as a Region Band organizer for Region 26.
Mr. Bahta holds two degrees in Music Education: a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and a master’s degree from Texas State University. During college, he performed as principal bass trombone with the Texas State Wind Symphony, the Texas State Trombone Choir, and the UTEP Symphonic Winds.
Outside of teaching, Mr. Bahta enjoys cooking, iced coffee, and exploring his new home in Central Texas!
the Bands
the Bands
Honor Band (Mrs. West, director) is the top performing group; our premiere band at HeMS, is a competition-level, UIL ensemble. Intended for 7th and 8th grade students with a minimum of one year of successful band experience. This band represents the school at several musical events, and requires a commitment to excellence in musicianship and teamwork. Membership is determined during the preceding school year through audition and teacher recommendation. Technically-challenging music of the highest quality will be explored in this ensemble.
Symphonic Band (Mr. Bahta, director) is a competition-level, UIL ensemble and is intended for 7th and 8th grade students with a minimum of one successful year of band experience. Membership is determined during the preceding school year through audition and teacher recommendation. In a typical school year, the Symphonic Band performs at several, on and off-campus events and concerts.
Concert Band is a non competitive ensemble, designed for 7th and 8th grade students with a minimum of one year of band experience. Membership is determined during the preceding school year through audition and teacher recommendation. In a typical school year, the Concert Band performs at local campus pep-events and concerts. Students who demonstrate significant musical growth may be considered to be moved up to Symphonic Band (pending schedule change approval and teacher recommendation).
Beginner Band is open to any student with little or no band experience. It is designed to start students on a band instrument and to learn music fundamentals. Beginner instruments include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion. All members will have the opportunity to participate in school concerts and competitions.
Bell Schedule
Bell Schedule
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