Arbor Creek Middle School Honors Band

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The Arbor Creek Middle School Band program serves students from the cities of north Carrollton, Plano & Frisco and is a part of the Lewisville Independent School District. With a student body of nearly 900, over 300 students participate in band ensembles including Beginner Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band & Honors Band. Emphasis in each band class is on the total musical development of the individual and the ensemble through an instructional program that focuses on tonal, technical, rhythmic, sight-reading, and ear-training skills. All students begin in the sixth grade in homogenous classes with the average beginning band enrollment of 150 students. Band students meet during the school day (for three 45 minute classes and one 90 minute class a week) & some outside school for sectionals, rehearsals, and private lessons — all vital parts of the band curriculum. Individual musical achievement and development are the cornerstones upon which the success of the ACMS band program is built. Band students at ACMS prepare and audition for the Lewisville ISD All-District Band, TMEA Region 2 All-Region Band and perform solos & ensembles at the Lewisville ISD Solo & Ensemble Contests. The ACMS Honors Band has received unanimous first division ratings at the Region UIL Concert & Sight Reading Contest and in other local festivals for over 20 years, as well as being a CC Texas State Honor Band Finalist in 2011, 2015 and finished as first runner-up in 2017. The Honors Band has also been named a National Winner for the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Project for 3 consecutive years: 2014, 2015 & 2016. The Symphonic Band also receives first divisions at UIL Contest and Best In Class awards at local festivals and was recently named a Citation of Excellence Winner in 2016 by the Foundation for Music Education. The Symphonic Band performs advanced literature that prepares students for Honors Band and the Hebron Band. The Eagle Band includes approximately 150 beginner 6th grade students and earns first divisions at local festivals in addition to preparing students with the fundamental, technical & procedural skills necessary to be successful in a performing band. Superintendent of Schools is Dr. Kevin Rogers. Director of Fine Arts is Bill Watson. The ACMS Band is lucky to have the wonderful support of Lewisville ISD and our Hebron cluster community, administration and parents. The Arbor Creek Middle School Band PROUDLY feeds the Hebron High School Band.

Arbor Creek Middle School Honors Band

Conductor's Bio

Mr. Rylon Guidry is in his 5th year as the Head Band Director at Arbor Creek Middle School in Lewisville ISD, where he teaches the beginner woodwind classes, the Honors Band & Jazz Band and assists with the Symphonic Band. Mr. Guidry previously was the head director at Lake Highlands Junior High School in Richardson ISD from 2010 to 2013 & associate director at McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney ISD from 2007-2010. He also currently serves as the TMEA Region 2 Middle School Band Coordinator. Under his direction the Arbor Creek Honors Band receives consistent first division ratings at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contests and local festivals as well as Best in Class & Grand Champion awards. The Honors Band has been selected by the Foundation for Music Education as a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Project 3 consecutive years; in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Honors Band has twice placed in the Texas Music Educators Association CC State Honor Band Contest Finals, finishing 4th in 2015 and 2nd in 2017. The Honors Band has recently been invited to perform at The 71st annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago Illinois in December 2017. While at Lake Highlands Junior High, the band program grew from under 200 to over 300 students. The Concert Band (2nd band) received Sweepstakes at UIL for the first time in over 20 years and the Symphonic Band (top band) received only unanimous first divisions at UIL and other local festivals including Best In Class at local festivals. Mr. Guidry is a magna cum laude graduate of the University Of Houston Moores School Of Music. While at the Moores School of Music, Mr. Guidry studied instrumental methods with John Benzer and studied saxophone with Dr. Karen Wylie. He served as Principal Saxophonist in the University of Houston Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Tom Bennett. Mr. Guidry was also a four-year member of the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band under the direction of David Bertman. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Guidry, his wife Katie & SPCA-adopted canine daughter Bella live in Frisco, TX.