T.A. Howard Middle School Honor Band

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

With 206 students in band in grades 7 & 8 (21% of the school), The T.A. Howard Band is the largest organization on campus. We offer three band classes based on ability. We also offer supplemental classes for ww, brass and perc. 115 of our students take our 2nd band class, making band 1.5 hours for most. Our kids start band in 6th grade in homogeneous classes at Cross Timbers IS. We work closely with CTIS and Summit HS directors to coordinate vertically-aligned curriculum. This has resulted in an enrollment of 600+ kids in band 6-12! Our goal is to have a well-rounded curriculum that utilizes music to develop life-long learners by teaching work ethic, teamwork, and artistic appreciation. T.A. Howard Middle School is located in Mansfield ISD just south of Dallas/Fort Worth. MISD is a fast growing district with a diverse population of 33,809 students. HMS has 913 students grades 7 & 8. 64% are economically disadvantaged making Howard a high-achieving Title I school. Student population is diverse: 39% African-American, 26% Latino, 23% White, 7% Asian, and 5% other. We were recently named an AVID National Demonstration school, yet still have 50% of our students involved in fine arts. In spite of the obstacles inherent in a Title I school and thanks to vigorous support from MISD, the Howard Band has achieved consistent accolades these past 9 years: • 4-time CCC TMEA State Honor Band finalist placing in the top 7 each time • 7-time Mark of Excellence National Wind Bands Honors • Most students placing in both the MISD All-District and Region 5 All-Region Band for 9 years • 66 students made All-Region in 2016 • 100% participation in Solo & Ensemble contest with 316 First Division medals awarded this year • 10 consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Awards Honor and Symphonic Bands • Our Concert Band is one of the few Sub Non-Varsity bands in the state to receive multiple UIL Sweepstakes trophies • 10 straight 1st Division at the Schlitterbahn Soundwaves Music Festival with all 3 bands • Grand Champions of the highly competitive Beach Within Reach & PEAK contests

T.A. Howard Middle School Honor Band

Conductor's Bio

Nathaniel Neugent is completing his tenth year as Director of Bands at T.A. Howard Middle School in Mansfield ISD. Under his direction, the Howard Honor Band has been a four-time CCC TMEA State Honor Band finalist placing in the top seven each time with their highest placement as Second Runner-Up in 2012. They have been awarded the Mark of Excellence National Wind Bands Honors seven consecutive years. They have had 25 or more students place in both the Mansfield All-District and Region 5 All-Region Band every year. Mr. Neugent has continued the long tradition of UIL Sweepstakes Awards with the T.A. Howard Honor and Symphonic Bands earning First Division ratings seven years in a row. In addition, the T.A. Howard Concert Band is one of the few Sub Non-Varsity middle school bands in the state to receive multiple Sweepstakes trophies. Prior to Howard Middle School, Mr. Neugent served as Director of Bands at Creekview High School in Carrollton, TX. While at Creekview, his bands consistently earned superior ratings in UIL competition. The Creekview Wind Symphony was named Grand Champion of Musicfest Orlando, South Coast Music Festival, and Performing Arts Consultants, St. Louis. The Mustang Marching Band advanced to the AAAAA State Marching Contest twice, in both 2002 and 2004. They were also Bands of America Regional and Super-Regional Finalists in Houston, Arlington and San Antonio. Before coming to Creekview, he began his career in Lewisville ISD as the assistant director at Lakeview Middle School in The Colony for two years under the mentorship of Clayton Paul and Dick Clardy. Mr. Neugent is a native Texan, having begun his musical training under Joe Gunn at Harwood Junior High and his father, Tom Neugent at Trinity High School in the HEB school district. He received his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in music education from the University of North Texas under the guidance of Eugene Corporon, Dennis Fisher, and Royce Lumpkin. As an undergrad, he also taught trombone lessons and served as a marching tech for the L.D. Bell Band under the mentorship of his then future in-law’s Joseph & Catherine Grzybowski. Mr. Neugent is an active performing musician, clinician, adjudicator and drill writer throughout Texas. He has served on the staff at the TAMU-Commerce Leadership Camp for twelve years with Frank Troyka. Mr. Neugent's affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Nathaniel enjoys spending time with his wife Nicki, Assistant Band Director at Cross Timbers Intermediate, and his 17 year-old son Connor, who is an accomplished French horn player in the Summit High School Band. He enjoys working out every day, movie watching, travelling, eating and cooking modernist cuisine, listening to sports radio, and reading serious science fiction.