Rockwall High School
ORANGE WAVE BAND
Rockwall High School Band Directors
Brandon Downs
DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Brandon Downs has been Director of Bands at Rockwall High School since July of 2016. In his time at Rockwall, the marching band has received all first division ratings, qualified as a finalist at the prestigious Duncanville Marching Invitational, and qualified for the UIL State Marching Band Contest. Rockwall’s concert bands have also flourished during Mr. Downs’s time at RHS. The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band have each earned superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest in 2017 and 2018, earning the sweepstakes award, with Concert Band receiving superior ratings on stage in 2018. Rockwall High School’s Jazz I, under the direction of Mr. Jarrod Beard, was named the Invited Jazz Band for the 2018 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic and Convention.
Prior to joining the staff at Rockwall High School, Downs was Director of Bands at R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. During the year Mr. Downs spent at Turner, the Lion Band earned their first sweepstakes award since 2012. Before going to R.L. Turner, Mr. Downs spent the first 11 years of his career in Mesquite ISD with the last 9 of those being as the associate director at North Mesquite High School, where he helped to grow the program from 120 students to over 325 students.
Mr. Downs is a native of Paris, TX and an alumnus of Paris High School. He graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2004. While at Texas A&M Commerce, Mr. Downs had the privilege of studying Horn with Michael Morrow of the Dallas Opera Orchestra and Dallas Winds, and conducting with Dr. Bradley Kent, Director of UIL Music.
Mr. Downs is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Texas Bandmasters Association.
brandon.downs@rockwallisd.org
Carol Downs is a Cum Laude graduate from the University of North Texas where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While at school, Mrs. Downs studied oboe under Dr. Charles Veazey, was a member of the University’s Concert Band Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Nick Williams, and participated in the Green Brigade Marching Band with the color guard for three years, spending two of those years as an officer in the guard. Mrs. Downs received her Master of Music in Music Education from Southern Methodist University in May of 2016.
Outside of school, Mrs. Downs performed in the North Texas Color Guard Association and Winter Guard International Circuits with Insignia Open 2004, Insignia World 2005 – 2006, and Black Gold Open 2007. She has also worked with many color guards in the area over the last few years, some of which include Liberty High School in Frisco, Berkner High School in Richardson, J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, and Little Elm High School in Little Elm. Mrs. Downs was a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard from 2005–2007 and was the flag captain in 2007.
Ms. Downs taught in Mesquite ISD from 2009-2012 at North Mesquite High School. She conducted the Concert Band and taught the Color Guard at North Mesquite, as well as starting beginners on Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Flute and French Horn at McDonald Middle School. She taught in Birdville ISD from 2012-2016 at Birdville High School where she directed the Concert Band and Color Guard.
Mrs. Downs graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, TX where she was very involved in the marching and concert bands. She participated in the A Cappella Choir, Bell System Show Choir, color guard, and winter guard in leadership positions as well as being a member of the National Honors Society.
Mrs. Downs is currently a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and the Texas Music Educators Association. In her spare time she enjoys reading, shopping, traveling, relaxing with her cats, Marco and Mason, and spending time with her family and friends.
Ms. Carol Downs
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Hunter Purvine
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Mr. Hunter Purvine, a native of Moore, Oklahoma, is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education with distinction. At OU, he served as Drum Major for the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, performed in concert ensembles under the direction of Dr. Bill Wakefield and Dr. Michael Hancock, performed in the jazz program, studied euphonium with Brian Dobbins and trombone under Dr. Irv Wagner, and was involved in launching the inaugural OU Jazz Festival. He also performed with the Frontier Brass Band of OKC.
Mr. Purvine began his teaching career at Lake Highlands Junior High, where he directed the concert and jazz bands and taught beginning brass across four elementary campuses. His ensemble earned superior ratings in 2019, and during that time he also performed with the Carrollton Wind Symphony, including at the 2018 Midwest Clinic.
Most recently, he served as Associate Director of Bands at R.L. Turner High School, where he led the Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, and served as visual coordinator for the marching program. During his time at Turner, the program became a regular Area finalist, found success at concert and sight-reading UIL, and expanded its chamber music and fine arts collaborations.
Mr. Purvine is passionate about student leadership development and has worked with the Fred J. Miller Leadership Clinics, Texoma Marching Arts and Leadership Camp, and programs across Texas and Oklahoma as a freelance clinician. Stepping into the design world, Mr. Purvine now collaborates with Santos Creative Services as a choreographer for several school programs and their marching productions.
Outside of teaching, he enjoys training for endurance races and spending time with his wife, Mackenzie, and their son, Luca. He’s thrilled to be a member of the Rockwall team and looks forward to the great work ahead with the Orange Wave Band!
Mr. Russell Lancaster
DIRECTOR OF PERCUSSION
Russell Lancaster is the Percussion Coordinator for the Rockwall High School feeder pattern in Rockwall, TX. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music from Northwestern State University of Louisiana where he studied percussion extensively with Mr. Kenneth Green and obtained his teaching certification through the direction and guidance of Dr. Greg Handel and Dr. Sharon Joy.
While at Northwestern State University, Mr. Lancaster served as a Graduate Assistant of Percussion in 2013 and 2014. During his tenure, he instructed and arranged music for the Spirit of Northwestern Drumline and Front Ensemble, assisted with major/minor percussion lessons, and conducted the NSU Percussion Ensemble and Marimba Band. He was also one of the founding members of the NSU Percussion Society, and he coordinated the establishment of an elementary percussion program for the Northwestern State University Elementary Lab School.
Mr. Lancaster was involved with numerous performing ensembles at Northwestern State University. He marched four years with the nationally recognized Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band under the direction of Dr. Jeff Mathews, Mr. Kevin Richardson, Mr. Steve McKeithen, and Mr. Bill Brent. He was also actively involved with the NSU Wind Symphony, NSU Percussion Ensemble, Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Combo, and the NSU Jazz Orchestra.
Through Mr. Lancaster’s participation with the NSU Percussion Studio and Jazz Orchestra, he had the opportunity to learn from renowned percussionists and musicians such as Bret Kuhn, Thom Hannum, John Lane, Mark Reilly, John Brennan, Johnny Lee Lane, Brett Dietz, Ed Smith, Ingrid Jensen, Rodney Whitaker, Mike Vax, Steve Fisher, Johnny Vidacovich, and Zoro.
Mr. Lancaster is currently in his ninth year of working with the Rockwall High School Band and Percussion Studio. During his time at Rockwall High School, he has cultivated the percussion program into one of the most competitive studios in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He has placed numerous students into TMEA All-Region Bands, All-State Bands, and has had several students obtain 1st division ratings in UIL Solo & Ensemble Contests. Mr. Lancaster is an active clinician and adjudicator for various schools in the DFW area, a member of the Texas Music Educator’s Association, Percussive Arts Society, the National Association for Music Education, the Zildjian Education Team, and is endorsed by Innovative Percussion & Zildjian.
Ms. Makenzie Paul
Ms. Makenzie Paul is an assistant band director at Rockwall High School and the primary director at the Rockwall Ninth Grade Campus. In addition to working at the high school campuses, Ms. Paul also teaches beginner horn and trumpet classes at Williams Middle School.
Ms. Paul graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. She studied Horn under Dr. Andrea Denis and music education under Dr. Tamey Anglley, Dr. Dan Haddad, and Dr. Chris Kaatz. In her time in college, Ms. Paul performed with the SFA concert bands, Lumberjack Marching Band, Roarin’ Buzzsaws Pep Band, SFA Symphony Orchestra, SFA Horn Ensembles, and the Azalea Women’s Wind Quintet. Ms. Paul was also a member and executive officer for the Gamma Phi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary band service fraternity.
Outside of band, Ms. Paul enjoys painting, keeping up with sports, listening to music (both wind band/orchestra repertoire and popular music), watching TV shows with her cat, Angel, and spending time with friends and family.
Richard "Trey" Lewis
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PERCUSSION
Richard “Trey” Lewis is the Assistant Director of Percussion for the Rockwall High School feeder pattern, serving as the Percussion Director for Rockwall High School’s Ninth Grade Campus and Utley Middle School. This will be his second year in Rockwall ISD. He holds a Bachelor's Degree of Music Education from Texas A&M University - Commerce (Now East Texas A&M University) where he studied percussion under Dr. Brian Zator.
While at ETAMU (TAMUC), Mr. Lewis was involved in several of the university’s ensembles, performing with the Percussion Ensembles, Concert Bands, Panimation Steel Band, and the PRIDE Marching Band. Mr. Lewis was also the Percussion Division Winner of the 2022 TAMUC Concerto Competition, performing John Psathas’ Planet Damnation for Solo Timpani and Orchestra.
In his collegiate years, Mr. Lewis was also a performer in the Drum Corps International activity, as the Timpanist with the Casper Troopers during the DCI Celebration Tour in 2021, as well as the Corps’ return to DCI Finals after 13 years in 2022. Mr. Lewis was also the 2021 DCI Performer’s Showcase Silver Medalist in the Solo Timpani Division.
Through Mr. Lewis’ participation with the ETAMU (TAMUC) Percussion Studio, he had the opportunity to learn from renowned percussionists such as Cory Doran, Sandi Rennick, Kent Hillman, Lauren Teel, Tanner Leonardo, and Jeff Ausdemore.
Prior to Rockwall ISD, Mr. Lewis was the Percussion Director of Pine Tree High School in Longview, TX, where he helped lead the band program to the State Marching Band Contest in 2023.
Mr. Lewis is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Outside of the school day, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Holly, as well as disc golfing, playing video games, and writing music.
Mr. Ricardo Trejo
COLOR GUARD DIRECTOR
Mr. Ricardo Trejo will be in the director chair for both the colorguard and winterguard ensembles.
Prior to Rockwall High School, Mr. Trejo taught at Rowlett High School for two years as the head guard director, and College Station High School for four years as a guard technician and later served as interim colorguard head director. He has also assisted at numerous schools including Bryan High School, A&M Consolidated High School, Rudder High School, Sachse High School, Little Elm High School and most recently, Whitesboro High School.
Mr. Trejo's colorguard journey began at Bryan High School, where he performed on the varsity team for 3 years. Upon graduating high school, he was privileged to participate in DCI World Championships for 4 years. Mr. Trejo was privileged to spin with Crossman Drum and Bugle Corps (2015) and later Santa Clara Vanguard (2016-2018) earning a George Zingali award (2017), silver medal (2017) and a gold medal (2018). Mr. Trejo’s indoor experience includes Spirit Independent, based out of Houston, and later with WGI World Finalist CGT Dallas and CGT Denton.
Mr. Trejo began his education at Bryan High School where he graduated in 2015. He later attended Texas A&M University for 2 years to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Health. Mr. Trejo plans to return to school and earn his degree in the upcoming future. He is very excited to see what his experience at Rockwall High School will bring him.
