New Director of Bands at Burnet High School
Burnet CISD is excited to announce the appointment of the new Director of Bands at Burnet High School, Mr. Andrew Hicks. Before his appointment in Burnet, Mr. Hicks taught in Willis, TX, where he has spent the past seven years teaching middle school and high school band as Associate Band Director, Director of Jazz studies, and Marching Band coordinator in Willis ISD. Under his leadership, The Willis HS marching band advanced to the 5A State Marching Band Competition two consecutive times and was crowned the UIL Area I Champion in 2019. The Willis HS Marching Band received sweepstakes every year and was awarded multiple caption awards and top placements in fall marching band competitions in the greater Houston area. Beyond his abilities to lead and teach music, Mr. Hicks was selected for his ability to collaborate and lead a team, work together with staff and students alike to accomplish goals, and his passion to foster community.
Mr. Hicks’ concert ensembles have earned consistent Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Assessment with engaging and challenging music, and in 2017 the Willis High School Wind Ensemble was invited as a feature ensemble at the National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis where he co-conducted.
While serving as the TMEA Region 9 Jazz Chairman and Jazz Director at Willis High School, The Willis Jazz Ensemble earned numerous Commended and National awards for the “Mark of Excellence” competition from the Foundation for Music Education. The jazz ensemble was also awarded several Overall Outstanding Awards at festivals such as the University of Houston Jazz Festival, the Waltrip Jazz Festival, and the Sam Houston State University Jazz Festival, and was a featured performing jazz ensemble at the Texas Bandmasters Association convention in 2016.
While primarily a trumpet and brass player, Mr. Hicks has successful experience teaching all instruments at the middle school beginner level and in high school ensembles. In addition to his experience directing bands, he also serves as a marching program designer, drill designer, arranger, and composer. Before teaching band in Texas, he received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
Mr. Hicks also served four years in the United States Marine Corps as a musician and trumpeter in Marine Band San Diego. He was named Honor Graduate for his graduating class from the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA. He is the recipient of the National Defense Service medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, a Meritorious Mast, Multiple-time rifle and pistol expert awards, and two Navy Unit Citation Awards. He lives with his wife Emily, their three dogs: Gale, Sansa, and Pepper, and their cat Louise. Mr. Hicks first official day will be May 11. He has plans for a virtual meet and greet and will be holding an informal gathering to meet and welcome him when our circumstances allow. Please join me in welcoming him and his family to our school and community.
