Waxahachie High School Jazz Orchestra

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

THE WAXAHACHIE BAND PROGRAM incorporates a feeder system including three junior high schools and eight elementary schools. Instrumental music begins in the sixth grade at Coleman, Finley, and Howard Junior Highs in homogeneous classes. Seventh and eighth grade students are divided into two ability-based ensembles at each campus. Upon reaching high school, all students actively participate in the Spirit of Waxahachie Indian Band during the majority of the fall semester, which includes approximately 170 wind players, 30 percussionists, and 40 color guard members. The marching band performs at all football games and competes regularly at Bands of America and UIL-sponsored contests, as well as several local contests. The Spirit of Waxahachie is a multiple-time Bands of America Regional Class Champion and finalist and has appeared at the UIL State Marching Contest nine times since 1999. The band has been fortunate to perform in the State Finals each year since 2009 and was awarded the Bronze Medal in 2017. THE WHS JAZZ ORCHESTRA enjoys a wealth of performance opportunities throughout the year, including combo gigs and full big band performances. Students in the band are encouraged to participate in the TMEA All-State Jazz process, where numerous members routinely have recordings advance to the State level. The band has numerous accolades to its name, including a performance at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Several of the band's graduates have progressed to professional ranks by joining such notable organizations as The Glenn Miller Orchestra, the One O'Clock Lab Band, and the Dallas Jazz Orchestra.

Waxahachie High School Jazz Orchestra

Conductor's Bio

RICH ARMSTRONG is in his fourteenth year as Director of Bands at Waxahachie High School. His teaching responsibilities include direction of the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and marching band. The Waxahachie High School Band has consistently earned Texas UIL “Sweepstakes” awards, “Best in Class” awards, and has recently become a Bands of America Regional class champion and finalist. The Waxahachie Wind Ensemble was recognized as the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band for 2012 and 2018 and performed at the 2012 and 2018 TMEA Conventions. The Waxahachie Marching Band has earned nine appearances in the UIL Texas State Marching Band Contest including six finalist appearances in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, a third place finish in 2017 in Class 5A, and 2018 in Class 6A. Mr. Armstrong is a frequent adjudicator and clinician. He maintains professional affiliations the with Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Texas Jazz Educators Association. He currently serves as the Jazz Band Coordinator for Region 20. Mr. Armstrong served on the staffs of the Cadets, Blue Devils, Carolina Crown, and the Dutch Boys Drum and Bugle Corps before becoming a high school director in Waxahachie, Texas. Mr. Armstrong has been happily married to his wife, Denise, for twenty-two years. Rich and Denise reside in Waxahachie, Texas with their three children, Micaiah, Elijah, and Lilyanna.