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High School Percussion Ensemble

Conductor

Conductor Thumb
Andres E. Aya

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Stephen F. Austin High School draws from two main middle schools with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The AHS Band is comprised of approximately 160 students who participate in marching band, color guard, three concert ensembles, multiple percussion ensembles, an award winning Symphony Orchestra, solo and ensemble, TMEA Region Band Auditions, and other various musical community organizations. Through their involvement in the AHS band, students have had the opportunity to participate in the UIL State Marching Contest, TMEA All-State Band, the Midwest Clinic, Bands of America Regional, Super Regional, and Grand National competitions. The development and growth of our students into disciplined, caring, responsible individuals is very important to us. Our band directors have set goals that are more elusive and important than national competitions. We feel our band students grow through the development of teamwork, understanding the rewards of hard work and discipline, supporting each other through the learning process, and understanding the real life application of experiencing success and failure. We pride ourselves on becoming one of the most well-rounded percussion programs in the nation. We strive for excellence in all aspects of percussion including Marching Percussion, Traditional Concert Percussion Ensembles, Genre/skilled based electro-acoustical Percussion Ensembles, Solo contests, Concert Band and Region band participation/success from all percussionists. In addition, we work to diversify our students learning experience by performing a concert in which we collaborate with guest artists who exemplify varying genres of percussion (see attached previous programs).

Stephen F. Austin High School Percussion Ensemble

Conductor's Bio

Andres E. Aya is currently the Director of Percussion at Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugar Land, Texas and feeder schools Garcia and Sartartia Middle School. Under his direction the Stephen F. Austin High School and feeders have become one of the most well-rounded percussion programs in the Houston Area with consistent success in Region band auditions, Marching Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra, and Concert Band. In 2020 the Stephen F. Austin High School Percussion Ensemble was selected to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic and Convention. Mr. Aya graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Human Learning from the University of Texas at Austin. During his percussion studies at the University of Texas, Aya studied under George Frock, David Glover, Lisa Nicol, Tony Edwards and Thomas Burritt. He was a member of the UT Longhorn Band (1999-2001), Wind Ensemble (2000-04), and Percussion Ensemble (1999-2004). Mr. Aya was a Snare-line member in the World Champion Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2001-03 earning 2 World Championships. In 2002, he received the bronze medal in the DCI Individual & Ensemble competition with his snare solo, “Palindrome.” Aya was a member of the 1999 Texas All-State Band and also a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps Snare-line in 1998. Aya served as the assistant percussion caption head and snare technician for the Colts Drum and Bugle in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. At the 2017 TMEA convention, Mr. Aya co-presented the first ever TMEA special needs inclusion strategies clinic. Andres E. Aya also served as the Director of Percussion Studies for Alvin High School and Alvin I.S.D. East feeders in Alvin, Texas from 2004-2016. Andres is sponsored by Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, and Sabian Cymbals. Andres currently resides in Missouri City, Tx with his wife Laura.

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