Skip to main content

Time:

TBD - TBD

Location:

Category

Middle School Band

Conductor

Conductor Thumb
Joey Qualls

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Aledo is the oldest city in Parker County, Texas, and was started as a farming settlement. The community was later incorporated in 1963. In the mid-1990's, the city experienced rapid growth from expanding Fort Worth. With a population of 400 citizens in the 1920's, Aledo has grown to 3,000 plus residents living within a 2.5-square-mile area. Aledo Independent School District is currently a K-12 public school district, located in Parker and Tarrant Counties. AISD is a fast-growth district and one of the top-rated public school districts in Texas with more than 6,000 students and nearly 600 employees. The district has five elementary schools along with an intermediate, middle, 9th-grade campus, high school, and learning center. The newest campus in the district is Walsh Elementary, which opened at the start of the 2017-2018 school year. AISD offers an expansive range of notable programs for students including Career and Technical Education (CTE), award-winning UIL bands, robotics club, college scholarship programs, successful organizations including student council, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, Thespian Society and Junior World Affairs Council. Other accolades included Aledo High School finishing tied for fourth in the Class 5A UIL Lone Star Cup standings during the 2017-2018 school year. The Lone Star Cup recognizes the most successful schools in the state in academics, fines arts, and athletics. The Aledo Middle School Band Program includes beginner band classes at McAnally Intermediate, and at the Middle School, three performing concert ensembles, percussion ensemble, and a drumline. In sixth-grade beginner band, students are grouped into homogeneous instrument classes that focus on building solid players with strong fundamentals while cultivating a love for music. Seventh and eighth-grade students are placed in ability-based ensembles, where the curriculum consists of musical skill-building, developing critical thinking, increasing musical expressiveness, and performing diverse and interesting repertoire. Frequent performances such as formal concerts, the solo festival, invitationals, and informal concerts, provide ample opportunities for students to perform exciting music. Moreover, the program also believes in providing masterclass opportunities with local professional musicians and dynamic music educators in order to improve and inspire students. For example, in the past several years, AMS has intentionally collaborated with a clinician for every instrument section in order to inspire students and build their skills. The AMS band program has been awarded several accolades under the current director. Awards include being named a "National Winner" in the Mark of Excellence Wind Band Honors Project four years in a row, earning consistent and unanimous superior ratings at the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, and advancing to the TMEA area honor band competition all times when eligible. AMS advanced to the State CCC Honor Band Finals in 2015 placing 8th and was the first runner up in the 2020 CCC Texas State Honor Band Contest.

Aledo Middle School Honor Winds

Conductor's Bio

Joey Qualls has been a music educator within the Aledo Band Program since 2005. Mr. Qualls is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, where he was a member of the Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Winter Drumline, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble.  Prior to attending UTA, Mr. Qualls studied at the University of North Texas and Navarro College. He was a member of the Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps, where he marched snare drum and was the first age-out in the corps' history.  Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Qualls was an assistant band director at Aledo High School and Aledo Middle School, respectively.  He also served five years as Aledo’s percussion specialist and one year as Director of Percussion. Mr. Qualls’ bands have achieved consistent UIL Sweepstakes ratings, as well as unanimous first division ratings and “Best in Class” honors at several area festivals. His bands have been named “National Winners” in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Project 2015-18, as well as, advancing to the CCC State Honor Band Finals twice, placing 8th in 2015 and 2nd in 2020. His teaching influences include Tom Van Schaik, Dr. Michael Varner, Sandi Rennick, Nathan Ratliff, Joey Carter, Jeff Ausdemore, and Ed Stephan. Mr. Qualls’ professional affiliations include Texas Bandmasters' Association, Texas Music Educators' Association, and the Percussive Arts Society. Mr. Qualls considers himself privileged to teach in Aledo and credits his success to God and to the many mentors, band directors, and teachers that He has placed in his life.  It is their influence, knowledge, and passion that motivates him to elevate his students to the highest level of performance possible. When Mr. Qualls is not at the band hall, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Amy and their two dogs, Jake and Molly.

Additional Directors

Additional Conductor Image

Simon Bosch

Additional Conductor Image

Michael Robinson

Additional Conductor Image

Scott Stephens

Back