Directors

Chase R. Giddings is in his fourth year as Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair at Andy Dekaney High School, and his 12th year of teaching. Prior to this appointment, he served five years as the Associate Director at Dekaney and as Director of Bands at Stelle Claughton Middle School for three years. Mr. Giddings’ responsibilities includes overall leadership of the fine arts department, band, and color guard programs, as well as conductor of the Wind Ensemble. Bands under his direction have received UIL Sweepstakes awards and first division ratings at numerous festivals and contests. The Andy Dekaney High School band is a program synonymous with success and has made appearances at the Midwest Clinic and Texas Bandmaster’s Association Clinic/Convention. Most recently, the Dekaney High School Wind Ensemble was an invited band at the Music For All National Festival in April of 2023. He is an active clinician and adjudicator having provided presentations for TMEA, the Midwest Clinic, TBA, and the SHSU Center for Music Education. A native of Houston, Mr. Giddings is a graduate of Sam Houston State University where he received his Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting. His primary teachers involve Dr. Matthew McInturf and Dr. Scott Plugge. He has also benefited from the mentorship of Dr. Richard Crain, Trent Cooper, Dr. Joe Clark, Gabriel Musella, and Philip Geiger. In his spare time, he enjoys researching family ancestry and spending time with family and friends. He is passionate about student success through the arts and works to promote public school music education, particularly in urban communities nationwide. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, where he serves as Region 33 band chair, Texas Bandmasters Association, where he served as a region representative, Texas Music Adjudactors Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

Trebor Powell is in his second year as Assistant Band Director at Andy Dekaney High School. His role includes directing the Concert Band, co-directing the Marching Band, teaching AP Music Theory, and assisting in all over activities and ensembles. Most recently, his clarinet chamber group, AT Trio, was invited to perform at the SHSU Clarinet Extravaganza in March of 2024,, where they opened alongside the CFISD Clarinet Choir. Although originally from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he has spent a majority of his life in the Cypress/Houston area, leading him to obtain a Bachelors of Music Education from Sam Houston State University in Spring 2023. While at Sam Houston State, Mr. Powell served as Drum Major of the Bearkat Marching Band, as well as President and Music Chair of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority. He was a reoccurring member of the SHSU Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Tenor-Bass Choir, and clarinet accompanist for the Opera program. Mr. Powell has had a strong list of mentors in his career, such as Dr. Matthew McInturf, Dr. Brian Gibbs, Dr. Kayoko Dan, Mark Edenfield, Charlotte Royall, Darla McBryde, and Gabe Musella. He student taught in Conroe ISD with the outstanding mentorship of Jeff Gorring and Jason Harvey. Outside of music, Mr. Powell enjoys martial arts and strength training, playing and adding to his 1000+ video game collection, and spending time with his lovely fiancé, Kelly. His affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, University Interscholastic League where he aids the State Marching Band Contest, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.