Abraham Nuñez
Assistant Director
Abraham Nuñez is in his fifth year of teaching and will be joining the Conroe Tiger Band as an Assistant Band Director. He will direct the Symphonic Band, the Jazz Ensemble, coached chamber groups, and assisted all woodwinds in the band program.
He has served on the faculty at the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop hosted by the award-winning h2 Quartet at the University of Oklahoma. Recently, Abraham coached the Halcyon Saxophone Quartet which was awarded the Bronze Medal in the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, 3rd Prize in the 2023 Texas UIL Chamber Music Competition, 2nd Prize in the 2024 Texas UIL Chamber Music Competition, and accepted to perform at the 30th Music for All National Festival.
Mr. Nuñez, a product of the greater Houston area, received his B. M. in Music Education and Minor in Jazz Studies from Oklahoma State University. At Oklahoma State, Mr. Nuñez has studied closely with various instructors including Jeffrey Loeffert, Johnny Salinas, Joseph Missal, Kim Loeffert, Thomas Poole, and Tyler Austin.
Mr. Nuñez has performed with numerous ensembles including the OSU Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, Paradigm Saxophone Octet, Akötu Quartet, and the Newfound Chamber Winds. He can be heard on the professional albums Kairos by the Newfound Chamber Winds as well as Angular Tuesday and Room 118 by the OSU Jazz Orchestra. As a member of the Akōtu Quartet, they were awarded 3rd Prize of the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Wind Competition. His quartet was awarded Honorary Mention in the NOLA Emerging Artist Division as well as Finalist in the Senior Division of the Coltman Chamber Music Competition.
His affiliations include TMEA, TBA, and the North American Saxophone Alliance.
Jake Rollins
Percussion Director
Mr. Jake Rollins is originally from Cleveland, TN, and is in his 1st year as the director of percussion for the Conroe High School cluster. Mr. Rollins attended Tennessee Technological University Where he received his bachelor’s degree in music education while studying with Dr. Eric Willie, Dr. Collin Hill, and Dr. Brad Meyer. While at Tennessee Tech, he performed in numerous ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Bands. Mr. Rollins has also performed as the house drummer for the Creede Repertory Theatre in Creede, Colorado and as a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Front ensemble.
Mr. Rollins has served as instructional staff with Vigilantes Indoor Percussion in Fort Worth, TX, and the Music City Drum Corps from Nashville, TN.
Michael Henson
Color Guard Director
Michael Henson is an active designer, and choreographer in the marching arts. He has served on the staff of a number of programs in Arkansas, Indiana, and Texas that have received state-wide recognition, including Berkner High School, Grapevine High School, Plano East Senior High School, Redwater High School, Shortridge Magnet High School, and Triton Central High School. His ensembles have appeared at the state levels in Arkansas, Indiana, and Texas; Bands of America Regionals, Super Regionals, and Grand Nationals; Drum Corps International semifinals; and Winter Guard International finals. He was on the staff of the Black Gold Independent Winterguards from 2017 to 2019. In 2018, Black Gold “A” received the silver medal in Independent A class at the Winterguard International World Championships and the World guard was a finalist. Black Gold World and Open were both WGI finalists in 2019. He is also a designer for the independent world winds ensemble Orion. In 2019, Orion finished 4th place at the Winter Guard International World Championships.
As a colorguard performer, Michael has been a part of the Dallas Cowboys Colorguard, the North Mesquite High School Colorguard/Winterguard, and the Henderson State University Colorguard.
Michael holds a Master of Music degree in Composition from Butler University and a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition from Henderson State University.
DIRECTORS & STAFF
Chase R. Giddings
Director of Bands
Chase R. Giddings begins his first year as director of bands at Conroe HS after 12 years of service in Spring ISD. His responsibilities include overall leadership of the band and its auxiliary programs, as well as conductor of the Ralph Rowe Wind Ensemble.
Bands under Mr. Giddings’ direction have received UIL Sweepstakes awards and first division ratings at numerous festivals and contests. His programs have been synonymous with success and have made appearances at the Midwest Clinic, Music for All National Festival, and Texas Bandmaster’s Association Clinic/Convention. He is an active clinician and adjudicator having provided presentations for TMEA, the Midwest Clinic, TBA, and the SHSU Center for Music Education.
A native of Houston, Mr. Giddings is a graduate of Sam Houston State University where he received his Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting. His primary teachers include Dr. Matthew McInturf and Dr. Scott Plugge. He has also benefited from the mentorship of Dr. Richard Crain, Trent Cooper, Dr. Joe Clark, Gabriel Musella, and Philip Geiger.
In his spare time, he enjoys researching family ancestry and spending time with family and friends. He is passionate about student success through the arts and works to promote public school music education, particularly in urban communities nationwide. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, where he has served on numerous state committees and as a Region band chair, the Texas Bandmasters Association, where he served as a region representative, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Aaron Hernandez
Assistant Director
Mr. Hernandez is a proud graduate of Spring High School, and the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
During his time at the University of Houston, Mr. Hernandez had the privilege to study Trombone with Brian Kauk who had served as Principal Trombone for the Houston Ballet Orchestra and the Houston Grand Opera. Mr. Hernandez also had the opportunity to work closely with John Benzer, Cory Meals, Erin Hansen, and Julie Derges who served as the Music Education Faculty.
Mr. Hernandez was a member of various ensembles at The University of Houston including the Spirit of Houston Marching Band, and The Symphonic Band under the direction of David Bertman. He was also a member of the Choir under the direction of Betsy Weber.
In 2014 Mr. Hernandez marched with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps as a member of the hornline. The Cavaliers earned 6th place at the Drum Corps International World Championships.
Mr. Hernandez has led private lessons, and masterclasses at various campuses across the Greater Houston area. He has also served on the marching band staff at Spring High School for 6 years.
When Mr. Hernandez isn’t teaching band he is training for marathons, playing with his three pups, watching sitcom re-runs, and enjoying time with his friends and family.
ADDITIONAL STAFF
Quincy Doenges - Percussion
Jonathan Langford - Assistant Color Guard Director
CTB DESIGN TEAM
Michael Henson - Program Coordinator
William Pitts - Music Arranger
Blake Patton - Drill Writer
Hector Gil & Ivan Trac - Percussion Arrangers Michael Henson - Color Guard Choreography
Pete Crawford - Sound Design
Cluster clinicians
Mr. Greg Dick
Mr. Hector Gil
Mrs. Darla McBryde
Dr. Matthew McInturf
Mr. Gabriel Musella
Mrs. Susan Meyer Patterson
Mrs. Susan Scarborough
Mr. Vic Flowers