Artie Henry Middle School Band

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The band program at Henry Middle School serves more than 330 students, with seventh and eighth graders enrolled in one of three performing bands, and sixth grade beginning band classes in a homogeneous setting. Since the school opened in 2002, the Artie Henry bands have been consistent UIL Sweepstakes winners, and have been well-represented at Solo and Ensemble contest, TMEA All-Region Band and Region Orchestra auditions. Under the direction of Robert Herrings, Katherine Willer, Aaron Sanchez and Hector Gil, the Henry bands have earned numerous honors and awards at festivals in Texas. In 2008 and 2013, the band was invited to perform at the prestigious Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington. The HMS Band Program was named the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Texas Class CCC Honor Band. In 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2022, the HMS Band Program was invited to perform at The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and in 2011 the program was awarded the coveted John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award. In 2014, the HMS Percussion Ensemble was the inaugural invited Middle School Percussion Ensemble to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, and the Texas Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association awarded the Outstanding Band Program Award to the Artie Henry MS Band Program. From 2009-2017, the program at Henry earned distinction as a National Wind Band Honors Class AA winner, and the Henry MS Symphonic Band was a 2016 and 2017 Citation of Excellence winner. Most recently, the Henry MS Band Program was selected as the 2018 Texas Bandmasters Association Exemplary Middle School Band Award winner. To improve their individual skills and musicianship, all students in the HMS Band program attend weekly section rehearsals, and many students take advantage of the opportunity for private lessons through the LISD Private Lesson Program. In addition to their involvement in band activities, HMS Band students are also active in other activities, including National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Leadership, Yearbook/Journalism, Athletics, Art, Cheerleading, Dance Team, Theater and many more. Through the dedicated work of many individuals, the program has built a tradition of success that has flourished within the school and in the community.

Artie Henry Middle School Band

Conductor's Bio

Robert Tyrome Herrings, III is in his nineteenth year of teaching and has been teaching at Artie Henry Middle School in Leander ISD since 2004. Prior to coming to Leander ISD, he was the Director of Bands at Rockdale Junior High in Rockdale, Texas. In 2003, Mr. Herrings received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he studied under Michael Haithcock, Jeff Grogan, Dr. Kevin Sedatole and Barry Hopper. While in college, Mr. Herrings was a member of the Baylor University performing wind bands, as well as a member of the Baylor University Golden Wave Band. At Henry Middle School, Mr. Herrings conducts the Honors Band, and assists with the Symphonic Band and Concert Band. He also teaches beginning clarinet, horn and trumpet. Mr. Herrings’ bands have consistently received UIL Sweepstakes ratings, as well as unanimous first division ratings, Best In Class, and Overall Outstanding Band honors at festivals around the state. From 2009-2021, the program at Henry earned distinction as a National Wind Band Honors Class AA winner, and in 2008 and 2013, the Henry Middle School Honors Band was selected to perform at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington. The program was named the 2010, 2014 and 2018 TMEA Class CCC Honor Band and was also selected to perform at the 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2022 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In June 2011, Mr. Herrings and his program were awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award, and in July of the same year, Mr. Herrings was named the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year. In May of 2014, the Texas Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association awarded the Outstanding Band Program Award to the Artie Henry MS Band Program, and in November of the same year, the Henry MS Percussion Ensemble was selected to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Most recently, the Henry MS Band Program was selected as the 2018 Texas Bandmasters Association Exemplary Middle School Band Award winner. An active clinician and adjudicator around the state, Mr. Herrings is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association as well as an educational consultant for the Conn-Selmer Division of Education. Mr. Herrings also serves as the TMEA Region 32 Middle School Band Chair, as well as the Region 32 TBA representative. He is honored to be a member of Phi Beta Mu and a mentor to new-to-profession teachers at Henry Middle School. Mr. Herrings enjoys motivating young musicians to achieve the highest level of performance by sharing his extreme love and passion for music with them on a daily basis. He feels honored, privileged and extremely blessed to have a loving mother and grandmother, many great mentors, band directors and close friends who have influenced his career thus far. Above all, his students have been his greatest inspiration!