WESTERN HILLS PYRAMID BAND STAFF
Mr. Eric Mullins, Western Hills HS Head Director
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Eric Mullins is in his fifth year as Director of Bands at Western Hills High School. While at Western Hills, the band program has continued in its recent success and has earned the UIL Sweepstakes trophy three times. The Marching Band has consistently received Superior ratings at UIL region marching contest, has placed in finals at UIL Area B and the “Unleash the Sound Marching Festival,” has been named best in class at USSBA regional contests and was Second in class at the Bands of America Arlington Regional. The band’s marching auxiliary units have excelled as well, winning their classes on several occasions. The Wind Symphony, under his leadership, has earned four UIL Sweepstakes trophies, earning Superior ratings in both concert and sight-reading. Additionally, the Wind Symphony has been named Grand Champion at several festivals, including Music in the Parks in Chicago; Alamo Showcase of Music in San Antonio; Peak Music Festival in Denton; and the South Coast Music Festival in Corpus Christi. The WHHS Jazz Band has consistently placed in the top four at the Eastern Hills/TCC/Wesleyan Highlander Jazz Festival, having been named as one of the Grand Champions in 2009, earning them a featured performance at the 2010 Awards Concert.
Prior to coming to WHHS, Mr. Mullins was an Associate Band Director at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas. While at Creekview, the Marching Band earned four consecutive UIL Sweepstakes awards, including two appearances at Area Finals and an appearance at the Texas 5A UIL State Marching Band Contest. The Creekview Band was a consistent finalist at the Carrollton Tournament of Champions, Bands of America Regional and Super Regional Competitions, and was named Grand Champion of the Golden Triangle Marching Festival in Denton. His concert bands at Creekview received Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading contest and Best In Class at Musicfest Orlando, South Coast Music Festivals and Performing Arts Consultants in St. Louis.
Mr. Mullins holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Arlington where he studied instrumental conducting with Ray C. Lichtenwalter, Director of Bands at UTA (retired); Ron Spigelman, Conductor and Musical Director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Missouri, Principal Pops Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and former Interim Director of Orchestral Studies at UTA. He studied choral conducting with Dr. Gary Ebensberger, retired Department Chair and Director of Choral Studies at UTA. He has conducted in workshops featuring clinicians Mallory Thompson, Director of Bands at Northwestern University in Chicago; Gary Hill, Director of Bands at Arizona State University; and Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Music Director and Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
While a student at UTA, Mr. Mullins played principal bassoon in the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, was a member of the Woodwind Quintet, played bass drum in the Marching Band and sang in the A Capella Choir and Chamber Singers. He was also a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, which earned 9th place in the 1997 Drum Corps International World Championships.
Mr. Mullins also has extensive experience in church music, having served on the music staffs at Broadway Baptist Church, Westcliff United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church of Hurst and University Christian Church of Fort Worth. Choirs and Handbells under his direction have performed throughout the United States, including New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Montana, Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, New Mexico, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Hawaii, Florida and North and South Carolina. This summer, under his leadership, the UCC Handbell Ringers from University Christian Church completed a concert tour of the United Kingdom, which included concerts and worship services at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Bath, Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, The Collegiate Church of St. Mary in Warwick, York Minster, Coventry Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral.
Mr. Mullins has been listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers & Educators and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, the National Association for Music Education and the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Prior to coming to WHHS, Mr. Mullins was an Associate Band Director at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas. While at Creekview, the Marching Band earned four consecutive UIL Sweepstakes awards, including two appearances at Area Finals and an appearance at the Texas 5A UIL State Marching Band Contest. The Creekview Band was a consistent finalist at the Carrollton Tournament of Champions, Bands of America Regional and Super Regional Competitions, and was named Grand Champion of the Golden Triangle Marching Festival in Denton. His concert bands at Creekview received Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading contest and Best In Class at Musicfest Orlando, South Coast Music Festivals and Performing Arts Consultants in St. Louis.
Mr. Mullins holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Arlington where he studied instrumental conducting with Ray C. Lichtenwalter, Director of Bands at UTA (retired); Ron Spigelman, Conductor and Musical Director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Missouri, Principal Pops Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and former Interim Director of Orchestral Studies at UTA. He studied choral conducting with Dr. Gary Ebensberger, retired Department Chair and Director of Choral Studies at UTA. He has conducted in workshops featuring clinicians Mallory Thompson, Director of Bands at Northwestern University in Chicago; Gary Hill, Director of Bands at Arizona State University; and Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Music Director and Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
While a student at UTA, Mr. Mullins played principal bassoon in the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, was a member of the Woodwind Quintet, played bass drum in the Marching Band and sang in the A Capella Choir and Chamber Singers. He was also a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, which earned 9th place in the 1997 Drum Corps International World Championships.
Mr. Mullins also has extensive experience in church music, having served on the music staffs at Broadway Baptist Church, Westcliff United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church of Hurst and University Christian Church of Fort Worth. Choirs and Handbells under his direction have performed throughout the United States, including New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Montana, Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, New Mexico, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Hawaii, Florida and North and South Carolina. This summer, under his leadership, the UCC Handbell Ringers from University Christian Church completed a concert tour of the United Kingdom, which included concerts and worship services at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Bath, Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, The Collegiate Church of St. Mary in Warwick, York Minster, Coventry Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral.
Mr. Mullins has been listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers & Educators and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, the National Association for Music Education and the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Mrs. Kristen Hall, Western Hills HS Associate Director
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Kristen Hall is in her third year of teaching at Western Hills High School. She comes to us after student teaching at James Bowie High School in Austin under Mr. Bruce Dinkins in the fall of 2008. While there the James Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble received 4th place at the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional, 5th place at the UIL State Marching Contest, and they traveled to New York City to march in the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Mrs. Hall graduated summa cum laude with Honors and holds a Bachelor of Music from Texas Tech University where she participated in the Symphonic Band, the Court Jesters Basketball Band and the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, primarily on trumpet. She studied conducting with Dr. Sarah McKoin, Director of Bands at TTU, and Christopher Anderson, Director of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland at TTU. While at Texas Tech she also participated in the Honors College, the Undergraduate Research Fellowship program and the Graduate Research program. She has been published in the online music journal, Music Matters with an article on special education and mental disorders in music education.
Aside from her principal instrument, she has also played trombone with the Goin’ Band, clarinet with the Texas Tech University Band, and baritone in her drum corps experience. She performed with the Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004 and 2005 and with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2006, which earned second place at the DCI World Championships in Madison, WI. She is an alumni member of the band service sorority Tau Beta Sigma, and an active member of music honors society Pi Kappa Lambda as well as the Texas Music Educators Association and the Music Educators National Conference. She is currently in pursuit of her Masters in Music Education from Texas Tech University.
Mrs. Hall lives in Arlington with her husband, Andy, and their two adorable dogs, Daisy and Tifa. She and her husband perform in the Greater Fort Worth Comminity Band under the direction of Henry Schraub and Don Hanna. She currently attends the First Baptist Church of Arlington where she plays in the orchestra. She enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time her family both in Arlington and in her home town of Buda.
Mrs. Hall graduated summa cum laude with Honors and holds a Bachelor of Music from Texas Tech University where she participated in the Symphonic Band, the Court Jesters Basketball Band and the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, primarily on trumpet. She studied conducting with Dr. Sarah McKoin, Director of Bands at TTU, and Christopher Anderson, Director of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland at TTU. While at Texas Tech she also participated in the Honors College, the Undergraduate Research Fellowship program and the Graduate Research program. She has been published in the online music journal, Music Matters with an article on special education and mental disorders in music education.
Aside from her principal instrument, she has also played trombone with the Goin’ Band, clarinet with the Texas Tech University Band, and baritone in her drum corps experience. She performed with the Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004 and 2005 and with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2006, which earned second place at the DCI World Championships in Madison, WI. She is an alumni member of the band service sorority Tau Beta Sigma, and an active member of music honors society Pi Kappa Lambda as well as the Texas Music Educators Association and the Music Educators National Conference. She is currently in pursuit of her Masters in Music Education from Texas Tech University.
Mrs. Hall lives in Arlington with her husband, Andy, and their two adorable dogs, Daisy and Tifa. She and her husband perform in the Greater Fort Worth Comminity Band under the direction of Henry Schraub and Don Hanna. She currently attends the First Baptist Church of Arlington where she plays in the orchestra. She enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time her family both in Arlington and in her home town of Buda.
Mr. Ben Hall, Western Hills HS Associate Director
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Benjamin Hall is excited to continue his teaching career as Associate Director of Bands/Coordinator of Percussion at Western Hills High School. Mr. Hall, a native of Highland, Illinois, received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2009. He comes to us from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth where he served as Assistant Band Director. Prior to coming to Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Hall served as a permanent substitute teacher with the Indian Prairie School District and Francis Granger Middle School Bands in Aurora-Naperville, Illinois. In addition, he is currently a Percussion Clinician with the Smith-Walbridge Clinics, based in Charleston, Illinois, and the Snare Drum Technician with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, from Boston, Massachusetts.
Mr. Hall studied percussion with world-renowned marimba virtuoso William Moersch, Mr. Doug Smith at the St. Louis Symphony Community Music School, Mr. Terence Mayhue, Mr. Brett Kuhn, and virtuoso timpanist Jonathan Haas. He is a former Principal Percussionist with the Danville Symphony Orchestra, and three-time Drum Corps International World Champion with the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. While attending Eastern Illinois University, Mr. Hall studied conducting with Dr. Milton Allen and Mr. Barry Houser. He also had the honor of serving as the Percussion Arranger and Instructor for Eastern Illinois University’s Panther Marching Band and Eastern Music Camps.
Mr. Hall remains active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States. His professional affiliations include: MENC, PAS, and TMEA.
Mr. Hall studied percussion with world-renowned marimba virtuoso William Moersch, Mr. Doug Smith at the St. Louis Symphony Community Music School, Mr. Terence Mayhue, Mr. Brett Kuhn, and virtuoso timpanist Jonathan Haas. He is a former Principal Percussionist with the Danville Symphony Orchestra, and three-time Drum Corps International World Champion with the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. While attending Eastern Illinois University, Mr. Hall studied conducting with Dr. Milton Allen and Mr. Barry Houser. He also had the honor of serving as the Percussion Arranger and Instructor for Eastern Illinois University’s Panther Marching Band and Eastern Music Camps.
Mr. Hall remains active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States. His professional affiliations include: MENC, PAS, and TMEA.
Mr. Frank Truex, Leonard MS Head Director
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Frank Truex received his Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Teaching Certificate from the University of Northern Colorado. In addition to his performance degrees on Bassoon, Mr. Truex performed in the Jazz Studies program at UNC on the piano.
Mr. Truex began his teaching career in 1993 and has directed middle school bands in the Fort Stockton ISD, Big Spring ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, and Fort Worth ISD. He also directed high school bands while at Fort Stockton and Big Spring.
Mr. Truex came to Leonard Middle School in 2011 after serving as the band director at Leonard 6th Grade Center for five years. He has been fortunate to earn first divisions and sweepstakes trophies with his bands.
In addition to teaching, he plays the piano and directs the choir at First United Methodist Church in Bedford, TX. Mr. Truex is thankful for the support of his wife, sons and entire family.
Mr. Truex began his teaching career in 1993 and has directed middle school bands in the Fort Stockton ISD, Big Spring ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, and Fort Worth ISD. He also directed high school bands while at Fort Stockton and Big Spring.
Mr. Truex came to Leonard Middle School in 2011 after serving as the band director at Leonard 6th Grade Center for five years. He has been fortunate to earn first divisions and sweepstakes trophies with his bands.
In addition to teaching, he plays the piano and directs the choir at First United Methodist Church in Bedford, TX. Mr. Truex is thankful for the support of his wife, sons and entire family.
Mrs. Lindsey Traughber, Benbrook MS Head Director
CONTACT
Lindsey Traughber is ecstatic to open Benbrook Middle School in the Fort Worth ISD’s Western Hills Pyramid-and is excited about what this year will hold for all students involved in the band program. The last two years, Mrs. Traughber has been the band director at Leonard Middle School-also a part of the Western Hills Pyramid. Bands at Leonard enjoyed several 1st Division Ratings at contest-and have had much growth.
Prior to her appointment with Fort Worth ISD-she worked for 6 years with the Amarillo ISD. While in the panhandle of Texas, Mrs. Traughber worked for 3 years as an assistant at Amarillo High School, and then for 3 years at Crockett Middle School (feeder middle school for Amarillo High.) While at both schools, bands under her direction received consecutive sweepstakes ratings at UIL contests and Festivals. Other notable awards include “Best Beginning Band” at the Greater Southwest Music Festival, and 3rd place in the Area A TMEA Honor Band process.
A native of the DFW area, Mrs. Traughber grew up in Burleson-and was a 3 year member of the 5A TMEA All State Bands. A student of Mr. Doug Storey and Dr. Gary Garner, she is a 2004 graduate of West Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, instrument emphasis-clarinet.
Mrs. Traughber enjoys working with middle school band students-and looks forward to all future successes at Benbrook Middle School. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Brian, who is a technology teacher at Western Hills High School. They enjoy being with family, watching movies, traveling, and playing with their 1 year old black and tan dachshund, Olive.
Prior to her appointment with Fort Worth ISD-she worked for 6 years with the Amarillo ISD. While in the panhandle of Texas, Mrs. Traughber worked for 3 years as an assistant at Amarillo High School, and then for 3 years at Crockett Middle School (feeder middle school for Amarillo High.) While at both schools, bands under her direction received consecutive sweepstakes ratings at UIL contests and Festivals. Other notable awards include “Best Beginning Band” at the Greater Southwest Music Festival, and 3rd place in the Area A TMEA Honor Band process.
A native of the DFW area, Mrs. Traughber grew up in Burleson-and was a 3 year member of the 5A TMEA All State Bands. A student of Mr. Doug Storey and Dr. Gary Garner, she is a 2004 graduate of West Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, instrument emphasis-clarinet.
Mrs. Traughber enjoys working with middle school band students-and looks forward to all future successes at Benbrook Middle School. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Brian, who is a technology teacher at Western Hills High School. They enjoy being with family, watching movies, traveling, and playing with their 1 year old black and tan dachshund, Olive.