Darwin Lewis
Fulshear
Summary
Compassionate, creative, and effective Teacher with valuable experience in classroom administration, professional development, and project planning. Equipped with extensive background in versatile education environments. Student-centric instructor and motivational coach. Competent at performing independently or as a member of a teaching team. Well-versed in classroom and online technologies.
Knowledgeable Director of Bands with rich background in leading and directing musical ensembles. Proven history of elevating performance quality and fostering passion for music among students. Demonstrated leadership and effective communication skills to inspire and guide musicians.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Bands
Alief Taylor High School
Houston, TX
07.2024 - Current
- Conducted regular rehearsals to enhance musicianship and performance skills among students.
- Developed comprehensive band curriculum aligned with educational standards and student engagement strategies.
- Mentored student leaders, fostering a positive and collaborative band culture.
- Collaborated with school administration to secure funding for instruments and resources.
- Organized annual performances, including concerts and competitions, showcasing student talent.
- Assessed student progress through evaluations, providing targeted feedback for continuous improvement.
- Established community partnerships to promote music education and increase visibility of the band program.
- Implemented innovative pedagogical methods to enhance musicianship skills among students of various levels of experience.
- Established strong relationships with local professional musicians and organizations for guest artist collaborations and educational opportunities.
- Led band ensembles to numerous regional, state, and national awards in competitions, festivals, and parades.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by fostering open communication between students, parents, colleagues, and administration.
- Spearheaded outreach efforts targeting underrepresented populations to promote inclusivity within the band program community.
- Utilized multimedia platforms effectively to communicate upcoming events announcements families stakeholders.
- Designed engaging concert programs that showcased diverse repertoire and highlighted ensemble strengths.
- Managed budgetary responsibilities for department resources, ensuring effective allocation of funds for equipment, music, and events.
Director of Bands
Thurgood Marshall High School
Missouri City, Texas
07.2019 - 06.2024
- Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Color Guard, Oversaw budget planning to allocate resources effectively, Bookkeeping, Coordinated travel arrangements for band events and performances, Developed recruitment strategies to attract new band members, Designed jazz curriculum to enhance music education, Tracked inventory to ensure availability of instruments and supplies, Coordinated fundraising initiatives to increase financial support for the band, Revived Band Booster program to enhance community support for the band, Served as band clinician to provide expert guidance
- Developed and implemented curriculum for concert band, ensuring alignment with educational standards.
- Coordinated performances and competitions, fostering teamwork and enhancing student engagement in music.
- Mentored students in musical techniques, promoting individual growth and ensemble cohesion.
Assistant Band Director
Sunset High School
Dallas, Texas
07.2016 - 07.2019
- Symphonic Band, Percussion Instructor, Enhanced learning through technology integration, Managed inventory for events, Executed fundraising initiatives for programs, Coordinated travel arrangements for events, Facilitated UIL contests for participants, Directed programming for Dallas Winds summer camp, Delivered specialized training in horn performance
- Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance student musical abilities.
- Conducted individual and group rehearsals, fostering teamwork and collaboration among students.
- Coordinated logistics for performances, ensuring seamless execution and enhanced audience experience.
Director of Bands
Hearne Isd
Hearne, TX
06.2013 - 06.2015
- Implemented innovative teaching methods to improve student retention and interest in music programs.
- Mentored aspiring musicians, fostering individual talent development and cultivating leadership skills.
- Contributed positively to school culture by collaborating on various events, productions providing live musical entertainment as needed.
- Actively sought to participate professional development opportunities to keep abreast of current trends and best practices in music education.
- Actively sought to participate professional development opportunities keep abreast current trends best practices music education.
- Coordinated engaging field trips to concerts, workshops, masterclasses, or other relevant cultural experiences for student enrichment.
- Maintained an organized inventory system for instruments, sheet music library materials ensuring proper care maintenance of valuable resources.
- Elevated band performance quality by implementing rigorous rehearsal techniques and high standards.
- Increased student participation in the band program through targeted recruiting efforts and community outreach initiatives.
- Developed comprehensive musician training programs for skill enhancement and growth.
- Inventoried, maintained, repaired, and purchased new instruments and gear for department.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism, Minor in Music
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX05.2012
Master of Arts - Music Education
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX05.2028
Skills
- Music notation software
- Instrument Maintenance
- Materials preparation
- Software proficiency
- Team leadership
- Event planning
- Organization
- Verbal communication
- Music arrangement
- Curriculum design
- Audition preparation
- Arranging skills
- Recruitment strategies
- Ensemble management
- Rehearsal planning
- Budget administration
- Fundraising
- Student mentorship
- Student motivation
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
Accomplishments
- Superior Rating Southern University Concert Festival (2026)
- Reliaquest Bowl Participant (2025)
- UIL Region 23 Marching Contest Superior (2025)
- Region 13 & 23 Concert & Sight-Reading Sweepstakes (2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026)
- HBCU Consortium Invited Performance (2023)
- US Bands Marching Contest Superior Rating (2021, 2022)
- Division 1 Sweepstakes in Waltrip Concert Festival (2019, 2022-2025)
- Co-Teach Sunset Wind Symphony in Sweepstakes for C&SR (2017-2019)
- Symphonic Band Division 1 Rating in UIL Concert (2019)
- 2-Time Area Band Participant from Region 13 (2020, 2021)
- TMEA All State Participant (2019)
- Region 20 Band, Orchestra, & Jazz Participants
- Region 13 Band Participants
- Area B Band Participants
- TSSEC All State Ensembles (2017- present)
- Cedar Hill BOTB Grand Champions (2018)
- Royal BOTB Grand Champions (2016 & 2018)
- Peabody BOTB Large Band Division Champions (2018)
Affiliations
- Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc.
- Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity
- Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity
- Texas Music Educators’ Association
- Texas Bandmasters' Association
- Dallas Music Educators’ Association
- HBCU’s Band & Orchestra Directors’ Association
Certification
- Music EC-12
- First Aid/CPR Instructor
Timeline
Director of Bands
Alief Taylor High School
07.2024 - Current
Director of Bands
Thurgood Marshall High School
07.2019 - 06.2024
Assistant Band Director
Sunset High School
07.2016 - 07.2019
Director of Bands
Hearne Isd
06.2013 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism, Minor in Music
Texas Southern University
Master of Arts - Music Education
Tarleton State University