CHAT Room: A Chat with Corey Graves and Robert Herrings III
Clinic Synopsis:
The Midwest Clinic Chat Rooms provide an arena where teachers will learn from and dialogue with expert practitioners. These brief ‘chats’ allow directors a forum for collaboration in a relaxed, intimate environment. The Chat Rooms have limited seating so attendance is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Corey Graves
- Biographical Information
Corey LaMon Graves is in his nineteenth year in music education and serves as the Director of Bands at Themer Middle School in Forney Independent School District. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Graves served as the Director of Bands at Jackson Middle School (Forney ISD, three years), and Roma Middle School (Roma ISD, eleven years). He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree as a summa cum laude graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University, and earned a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance from The Ohio State University as a graduate fellow. Mr. Graves is a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar. Bands under his direction have consistently received superior sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest, and have also earned high levels of recognition at both the state and national stage, being recognized as a National and Commended Winner in The Foundation for Music Education National Wind Band contest from 2013-2023. Mr. Graves credits his passion for music to his mother, Brenda M. Moore, his drive for success to his grandmother, Mrs. Vergie Graves, and his love of education to an incredible list of music educators across the country.
Robert Herrings III - Biographical Information
Robert Tyrome Herrings, III (Cedar Park, TX) is in his twenty-second year of teaching and has served in Leander ISD since 2004. He currently serves as Director of Bands at Vista Ridge High School, following a 20-year tenure as Director of Bands at Artie Henry Middle School. Herrings earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in 2003. During his time at Artie Henry Middle School, the Honors Band achieved national recognition, performing at the Western International Band Clinic in 2008 and 2013 and The Midwest Clinic in 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2022. The ensemble was named the TMEA Class CCC Honor Band in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2024. In 2011, the program received the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award, and Herrings was named Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year. Additional honors include the ASBDA Outstanding Band Program Award (2014), the TBA Exemplary Middle School Band Award, and the National Band Association Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award (2018). The Henry M.S. Percussion Ensemble was also selected to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Most recently, the Vista Ridge High School Band Program was invited to perform at The 2025 Midwest Clinic. An active clinician and adjudicator throughout Texas, Herrings is a member of TMEA, TBA, TMAA, and the American Bandmasters Association. He is President of the Phi Beta Mu Alpha Chapter, TMEA Region 32 Band Division Vice President, and Region 32 TBA Representative. Herrings is passionate about inspiring young musicians through excellence in music education and is deeply grateful for the support of his family, mentors, colleagues, and friends. Above all, his students remain his greatest inspiration.
Back