Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Vista Ridge Wind Ensemble, consisting of the most talented, disciplined, and artistic instrumentalists, has received straight First Division Ratings (Sweepstakes) in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest in all of the eleven years since its inception in 2003/2004, when the school originally opened with only 35 band students (freshmen only). In the summer of 2013, the Wind Ensemble was named a “National Winner” in the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence, National Wind Band Honors Program.
Vista Ridge provides three other large concert ensembles for students pursuing instrumental music: Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and the newly formed Cadet Band. Enrollment is by audition in the Spring, with possible re-evaluation in December. In addition to the large ensembles, participation in small ensembles (chamber music) is expected of most band students with the purpose of developing skill in listening, cooperation, student coaching/leadership, and artistry. The Vista Ridge Percussion Studio has successfully competed and performed at the Lone Star Classic Drumline Festival, the Music For All National Festival, and at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. In addition to performances at Ensemble Recitals, many of these small ensembles also perform for various ceremonies and events, as service to the school and community.
At Vista Ridge, emphasis is also placed on the development of the individual student musician. In the fall semester, the entire band program uses its resources, band directors and private teachers, to facilitate weekly Master Classes, focused on teaching and developing individual student musicianship through the practice and performance of the TMEA All-State Audition Etudes. In the spring semester, with the help and guidance of directors and private teachers, students are required to learn and perform a solo for the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. This year, Vista Ridge had 52 students qualify to perform their solo at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. The rewards from this kind of investment into the individual student are not only realized by the many students who place in an All-Region, Area, and All-State organization, or by the great numbers of First Division Ratings and TSSEC Qualifiers, but are also evident in the amount of growth and maturation seen in their individual musicality, their confidence levels, and their interpersonal relationships.
The band is also blessed to have many great students who achieve extremely high levels of academic success. Vista Ridge Band Students consistently rank among the top 10% in their class and the band has enjoyed having numerous Valedictorians and Salutatorians in the band program. Vista Ridge High School places immense value on academic rigor. The Band Program supports that value and matches it with the same kind of rigor in its curriculum and performance literature.
The Band Department at Vista Ridge enjoys a very healthy relationship with other teachers on campus, but has an especially close relationship with teachers and students involved in the other Fine Arts disciplines on our campus: Choir, Theatre, and Dance. The Fine Arts Department at Vista Ridge fosters a mutually supportive environment, sharing students across disciplines, working together to produce performances in Musical Theatre, and supporting and attending performances of colleagues and their various performance groups.
While the Vista Ridge Band Program holds high standards of musical and academic performance, it is of equal importance to its directors, band family, and community that our students are prepared and equipped to be strong, contributing citizens, upholding the values esteemed by Leander ISD’s “Ten Ethical Principals”, fostered every day: Honesty, Integrity, Promise-keeping, Loyalty, Concern for Others, Law-abidance/Civic Duty, Respect for Others, Fairness, Pursuit of Excellence, and Accountability.
VISTA RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE
Conductor's Bio
Bryan Christian – Bio.
Mr. Christian graduated from Lampasas High School in 1985. He attended Abilene Christian University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1989. Receiving a Graduate Assistantship at Stephen F. Austin State University, he then began his graduate work and received his Master of Arts degree in Conducting and Clarinet Performance in August of 1991. He began his teaching career in Birdville ISD as Associate Director of Bands at Richland High School. After spending eight years at Richland, he was selected as the first Director of Bands at Stony Point High School in Round Rock ISD. Mr. Christian spent four years at Stony Point before moving to Leander ISD to open Vista Ridge High School, where he has been the Director of Bands for the past eleven years.
Mr. Christian is married to his college sweetheart, Cheryl, who was an oboist at ACU. They’ve been married for 26 years and have two beautiful girls, Caroline and Cassie, both of whom are in the Vista Ridge Band.
Mr. Christian is also the part-time Worship Minister for the Round Rock Church of Christ, where he plans and leads worship, and directs a Praise Team. He also enjoys playing golf, traditional archery, and hunting Whitetail Deer and Rio Grande Turkey.
Mr. Christian is an active adjudicator and clinician and is a member of TMEA, TBA, TMAA, Mu Phi Epsilon, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Back