Mason England

Mason England is the Director of Bands at Grisham Middle School in Austin, Texas. Prior to coming to Grisham, Mr. England served as the Director of Bands at Manor Middle School in Manor, Texas and at Brownfield High School in Brownfield, Texas. His teaching responsibilities at Grisham include directing the Honors Band, the Saxophone Ensemble, assisting with the Symphonic Band, and teaching the beginning Flute, Double Reed, Clarinet, and Saxophone Classes. 

Since beginning his career in music education, ensembles under Mr. England’s baton have received consistent sweepstakes ratings in the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) Concert and Sight Reading Evaluations, as well as earning Best in Class and Outstanding Performance awards at festivals around the state of Texas. Under Mr. England’s direction, the Grisham Honors Band has placed 3rd in the TMEA CC Honor Band Finals, and has been a consistent recipient of the National Mark of Excellence Award for Wind Band Honors. The Grisham Honors Band was recently invited to perform at The 78th Annual Midwest Clinic. In 2025 the Grisham Saxophone Ensemble was also invited to perform at The 79th Annual Midwest Clinic.

In 2026 the Grisham Band was named the National Winner of the National Band Association Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award. Before moving to Texas, Mr. England received his undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. In addition to his teaching at Grisham Middle School, Mr. England is an active clinician for band programs in both Michigan and Texas. Mr. England is also a concert band adjudicator through the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. England has been published in the National Band Association Journal and has presented clinics at the Michigan Music Conference and the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention. Mr. England is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of young musicians.

Robert Herrings

Robert Tyrome Herrings, III, is in his twenty-second year of teaching and has served in Leander ISD since 2004. He currently serves as Director of Bands at Vista Ridge High School, following a 20-year tenure as Director of Bands at Artie Henry Middle School. Herrings earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in 2003. During his time at Artie Henry Middle School, the Honors Band achieved national recognition, performing at the Western International Band Clinic in 2008 and 2013 and The Midwest Clinic in 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2022. The ensemble was named the TMEA Class CCC Honor Band in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2024. In 2011, the program received the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award, and Herrings was named Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year. Additional honors include the ASBDA Outstanding Band Program Award (2014), the TBA Exemplary Middle School Band Award, and the National Band Association Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award (2018). The Henry M.S. Percussion Ensemble was also selected to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. 

Most recently, the Vista Ridge High School Band Program was invited to perform at The 2025 Midwest Clinic. An active clinician and adjudicator throughout Texas, Herrings is a member of TMEA, TBA, TMAA, and the American Bandmasters Association. He is President of the Phi Beta Mu Alpha Chapter, TMEA Region 32 Band Division Vice President, and Region 32 TBA Representative. Herrings is passionate about inspiring young musicians through excellence in music education and is deeply grateful for the support of his family, mentors, colleagues, and friends. Above all, his students remain his greatest inspiration.

Katherine Norris

Katherine Norris is in her eighth year at Henry Middle School, where she serves as Director of Bands. She conducts the Honors Band, teaches beginning flute, clarinet, and double reed classes, and assists with the Concert and Symphonic Bands. Under her guidance, Henry ensembles have consistently earned Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluation. From 2022 through 2024, the Symphonic Band was recognized as a Citation Winner in The Foundation for Music Education’s Citation of Excellence project and was named Non-Varsity Grand Champion at the North Texas Festival of Distinction. In her first year as Director of Bands, the Honors Band was honored with an invitation to perform at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, WA, and selected as a National Winner in The Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence Project.

Katherine graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, where she studied with Eddie Green, John Benzer, and David Bertman. Outside of her work at Henry, Katherine enjoys supporting students and directors as a clinician and educator at the state and national levels. She has presented at the Wisconsin Music Educators Conference, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, and the Texas Music Educators Association Convention. From 2019–2025, she served on the brass staff of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, and she is also a member of the SASi Leadership staff, working with student leaders in schools across the country. She is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and continues to work with ensembles throughout the Austin area. In addition to her work as a teacher and clinician, Katherine regularly plays with the Cedar Park Winds.