Christian Guillén is an educator, conductor, composer, arranger, and marching arts designer based in Texas. He currently serves as Assistant Director of Bands at East Texas A&M University, where he works with the university’s concert and athletic band programs while helping prepare the next generation of music educators and performers.

A two-time graduate of East Texas A&M University, Christian earned both a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting. During his graduate studies, he studied conducting under the mentorship of Mr. Phillip Clements and Dr. Stephanie DeLuca. As a student, he performed with the university’s Wind Ensemble and Trombone Choir throughout the United States and Europe and served on the instructional staff of the nationally recognized Pride Marching Band.

Prior to joining the East Texas A&M faculty, Christian served as Assistant Director of Bands at Marshall High School from 2018 to 2024. During his time in Marshall ISD, he conducted the Symphonic Band, taught AP Music Theory, instructed beginning band students, and served as the primary marching band show designer and arranger for the Big Red Pride Marching Band. Earlier in his career, he taught at L.V. Berkner High School and Apollo Junior High School in Richardson ISD under the mentorship of Lynne Jackson and Jason Schayot.

As a designer and arranger, Christian has collaborated with programs throughout the United States, creating productions for both high school and collegiate ensembles. Bands performing his designs have earned appearances and placements at state marching contests across multiple states as well as finalist and award-winning performances at regional Bands of America competitions. His work emphasizes strong musical pacing, audience engagement, educational value, and clear thematic storytelling.

Christian has been fortunate to collaborate with and learn from many of the activity’s most respected educators and designers, including Jared Andrews, Jeff Ausdemore (Blue Knights), Shawn Glyde (Blue Devils), Allan Goodwin, Michael Huestis (Crossmen), Michael Klesch (Carolina Crown), Bret Kuhn (Cavaliers), Tanner Leonardo (Blue Knights), Luke McMillan, John Meehan (Blue Devils), John Wasson, and Jed Weeks (Blue Knights). These experiences have helped shape his approach to music design, leadership development, and student-centered instruction.

In addition to his work in the marching arts, Christian is an active composer and arranger whose works have been performed by ensembles throughout the United States. In 2015, he was selected as a featured winner of the Dallas Winds Fanfare Competition. His compositional interests include wind band, chamber music, and music for the marching arts, with a particular focus on creating meaningful musical experiences that challenge performers while remaining accessible to audiences.

At the heart of Christian’s teaching philosophy is the belief that music serves as a vehicle for life-changing experiences. While musical excellence is an important goal, he believes the greatest value of music education lies in its ability to develop leadership, discipline, creativity, empathy, and lifelong connections. Whether working with beginning musicians, collegiate performers, or marching bands, his goal is to create experiences that inspire students to grow both musically and personally.

Christian is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Christian has two spoiled cats Loki and Chewy.

Nick Gibson is an educator, percussion specialist, arranger, sound designer, and marching arts designer with a passion for developing young musicians through meaningful and engaging musical experiences. His background spans elementary, secondary, and competitive marching arts education, with extensive experience in percussion pedagogy, music design, and ensemble instruction.

Nick currently serves as Percussion Director at Mt. Vernon Independent School District, where he oversees all aspects of the district’s 6–12 percussion program. In addition to his percussion responsibilities, he teaches sixth-grade low brass and fifth-grade general music, working with students at multiple stages of their musical development.

Prior to his appointment at Mt. Vernon ISD, Nick served as Percussion Director for Marshall Independent School District from 2020 to 2024. In this role, he oversaw all aspects of the percussion program for grades 6–12, co-taught the Big Red Pride Marching Band, assisted with the high school jazz program, taught beginning band students at the junior high level, and worked extensively with concert ensembles across the district. Under his direction, numerous students qualified for the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest, earning superior ratings and Outstanding Performer honors. His students also earned placements in TMEA Region Band and Area auditions, with several advancing through the All-State process.

Before joining Marshall ISD, Nick served as Assistant Band Director at Teague Middle School and Teague High School. While in Teague, he taught percussion students in grades 6–12 and low brass students in grades 6–8. Ensembles under his direction consistently earned first-division ratings in marching, concert, and sight-reading evaluations. His students and ensembles achieved notable success, including state-qualifying UIL Mariachi Band performances in 2019 and 2020, as well as a state-qualifying percussion ensemble in 2019.

As a percussion arranger, sound designer, and marching arts designer, Nick has collaborated with programs throughout Texas and Arkansas. Productions he has helped design have earned appearances and placements at state marching contests across multiple states, as well as appearances at the UIL Area Marching Contest in Texas. His writing philosophy is rooted in a student-centered approach that balances educational value, musical achievement, and audience engagement.

Nick earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Ouachita Baptist University. During his time at OBU, he performed with the OBU Wind Ensemble, touring throughout Arkansas and Texas, and with Tiger Steel, the university’s steel band ensemble, which toured across the southeastern United States and performed at Walt Disney World. He was also a member of the OBU Percussion Ensemble, which earned an invitation to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).

In addition to his performance experiences, Nick served as Assistant Director of Tiger Steel, helping coordinate rehearsals, performances, and fundraising initiatives. He also served as Drumline Captain, leading rehearsals and mentoring fellow performers throughout the marching season.

Nick is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Nick and his wife, Morgan, share their home with three cats, Ash, Ollie, and Weber, and their sassy golden retriever, Peach, who keeps life entertaining.