Rebuilding is hard. When coming into a new program, we approach it with the knowledge that there will be hard times ahead; however, what do we do when the challenges encountered are greater than challenges we envisioned? Mireles and Carroll will discuss what they have learned from the rebuilding process of rural, small-school band programs.
John Mireles
- Biographical Information
John Mireles is currently a band director in the Brady Independent School District in his 13th year of teaching. This is his first year in Brady ISD. At Brady, Mr. Mireles is the director of the famed Brady Bulldog Band. He also conducts the BHS Symphonic Band. Under his direction, the band has earned their first sweepstakes award from the UIL since 2019.
Prior to his arrival in Brady, John was an assistant band director in Roma ISD. In Roma, members of the Roma High School trombone studio excelled in region, area, and state auditions. As an assistant band director, he assisted with 6 UIL State Marching Band Contest appearances, with the 2020 2C Honor Band (Roma Middle School), with a participant at the 2016 The Midwest Clinic, and with an appearance at Carnegie Hall (Roma High School).
A native of Brady, Texas, Mr. Mireles attended Brady High School. In 2008, he received his Bachelor of Music degree (cum laude) from West Texas A&M University, where he was a trombone student of Dr. Joseph Cox and a conducting student of Mr. Don Lefevre. While in Canyon, he also studied with Mr. Robert Gillespie, former Principal Trombonist of the New York Metropolitan Opera. John also holds a Master of Music – Trombone Performance degree from Texas Tech University, where he studied with Mr. James T. Decker.
As a classical and orchestral trombonist, John’s performing ensemble credits include the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Amarillo Opera, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale, Roswell Symphony Orchestra, and the Laredo Philharmonic.
John Carroll is the Associate Band Director at Monahans High School and is in his 46th year as a proud Texas band director. Bands under his direction have been consistent UIL Sweepstakes award winners and have won several festival awards. Prior to his arrival in Monahans, he served as Associate Band Director at Permian High School for 27 years, where he served as the director of the Concert Band 1, the jazz ensemble, and as the percussion specialist. During his tenure at Permian, ensembles under his direction were consistent award winners.
Carroll was the recipient of the Marcia Zoffuto Hero Award (named after the famed band director, who herself grew up at Permian High School) and the 2017 Permian HS Outstanding Master Teacher of the Year Award. He has also received the Texas Bandmasters Association Meritorious Achievement Award in 2018. For the school year 2021-2022, he was selected as a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year. He has served as the TMEA Region 6 Band Chair, as well as Area A/B Honor Band Listening Center Chair, clinician, and member of several TMEA and Phi Beta Mu committees. He has also served as the All-State Band Organizer and Percussion Organizer on numerous occasions. From 2018-2020, Carroll was the State Band Vice-President for TMEA. He served as TMEA President from February 2021-February 2022. A graduate of Abilene Christian University and West Texas A & M University, Carroll is a member of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster Fraternity, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.