Loy Studer is in his 16th year as the Director of Bands and Orchestra at S.H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas where he is responsible for overseeing the overall band and orchestra program which includes thirteen different performing groups. This is Mr. Studer’s 25th year of being a public school teacher in Texas.

Mr. Studer feels very fortunate to have been associated with many groups that have been able to experience a tremendous amount of success. Along with numerous UIL Sweepstakes in both band and orchestra, Mr. Studer has had groups that have performed at the UIL State Wind Ensemble Festival, been a finalist at the UIL State Marching Band Contest, been finalist at the UIL Area Marching Band contest numerous times, been Bands of America Regional Finalist, been Grand Champion at the Orlando MusicFest, Alamo Showcase of Music, the South Coast Music Festival and have been featured at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Along with these awards and competitions, Mr. Studer has been fortunate to have groups travel to many destinations including, San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas, Orlando, Washington D.C., Chicago, Boston,New York City and London! This year the Rider Varsity Orchestra is one of four groups from the World selected to perform at the Viennese Masters Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

In addition to his normal teaching responsibilities, Mr. Studer feels that it is important to contribute to Rider High School. Currently he serves on the Site Based Decision Making Committee. He is on the WFISD District Advisory Committee and Advanced Academics Committee. Lastly he is the Chairman of The Happening, which is a large public outdoor festival, parade and fireworks show which promotes all things great about Rider High School during the week of their largest rivalry game. In the fall of 2010, the Rider Senior Class selected Mr. Studer as the Honorary Mr. Raider. This honor is given to one teacher a year and represents contributions to the school in the classroom, to campus, sprit and to the senior class.

A 1997 graduate of the University of North Texas College of Music, Mr. Studer has had the privilege of teaching in the Lewisville ISD at Hedrick Middle School, the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD at Euless Junior High, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD as the Associate Director of Bands at Colleyville Heritage High School and in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD as the Director of Bands and founding director at Ranchview High School.

The most important thing in Mr. Studer’s life is his family. Having met his wife, Jessica, while attending the University of North Texas, she has been a constant source of strength and encouragement for him. She is an English teacher at Rider High School.

Together the Studer’s have two beautiful, smart and talented daughters, Caleigh (22) is a student at the University of Alabama and Lilly (20) who attends Baylor University. The Family is happiest when they are all together (and dad is not doing “band stuff”) and they are traveling or are at Disney World.