College Park Wind Ensemble

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Since opening its doors in 2005, College Park High School has established a tradition of musical excellence, with the Wind Ensemble earning recognition at both the state and national levels. The College Park Woodwind Ensemble and Wind Ensemble were invited to perform at the 2014 Midwest Clinic, and the Wind Ensemble was subsequently selected as a featured performing ensemble at the Music for All Concert Band Festival in 2018. The Wind Ensemble has earned the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Sweepstakes Award every year since 2005. This distinction recognizes the highest level of combined achievement in concert and marching band throughout the school year. Since 2017, the Wind Ensemble has been named a Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) 6A Honor Band Finalist in every year of eligibility. The ensemble has also been recognized as a Mark of Excellence National Winner each year from 2022 through 2026. As a marching ensemble, the College Park Band has consistently advanced through UIL Region, Area, and State competition and has been recognized as a Bands of America Regional Finalist while winning the best music caption numerous times. The College Park Wind Ensemble is honored to be selected as a performing ensemble for the 80th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Convention and is proud to represent its tradition of excellence on the international stage.

College Park Wind Ensemble

Conductor's Bio

Mr. Gorring is in his 23rd year of education spending the last 20 in Texas. He graduated with his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University and then taught in the Fruitport School District in Fruitport, Michigan. During his three years there, he taught high school, assisted at the middle school, and taught general music to 5th graders every day. In 2007, Mr. Gorring moved to Texas and started out at Magnolia High School as an assistant band director with responsibilities involving the marching band and the 3rd concert ensemble. After one year in Magnolia, Mr. Gorring started at College Park High School in 2008 as the assistant and is currently in his 19th year at College Park. As an assistant to Charlotte Royall for 9 years, he had responsibilities as the visual marching instructor for the marching band, taught 2 concert ensembles, and also taught level music theory class. In 2016, Mr. Gorring finished his Masters degree with a concentration in conducting at Sam Houston State University under Dr. Matthew McInturf. In 2017, Mr. Gorring was named the head director for College Park. Under his direction, the College Park Marching Band has placed in the finals at regional marching contests, has been a UIL Area marching finalist and UIL Area Champion, and continues to be a UIL State Marching Participant. Mr. Gorring currently teaches Concert 3, Concert 1, and Wind Ensemble and assists with Concert 2 and Symphonic Band. The College Park Wind Ensemble has been a UIL Sweepstakes Award winners ever since the school opens its doors in 2005. Under Mr. Gorring’s baton, the Wind Ensemble performed at a Music For All National Concert Band Festival featured performer in 2019, and has been named a National Winner in 2022 through 2026 in the Mark of Excellence/National Wind Band Honors Project. Additionally, the College Park Wind Ensemble has been named a finalist in the TMEA 6A Honor Band process ever since 2018. Mr. Gorring was active in DCI marching with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps and teaching at Southwind, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Blue Stars. Mr. Gorring has had a lot of people who have been influential in his teaching career with his main influences coming from Charlotte Royall, Matthew McInturf, and Rob Savala. Mr. Gorring lives in Conroe, TX with his wife Becky and daughter Abby, who is a clarinet member of the College Park Wind Ensemble.

Additional Directors

Aaron Owens

Rob Savala