Matthew Garrison

Director of Bands

matthew.garrison@leanderisd.org

Mr. Garrison is a native Texan, and Austinite. He earned his degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. During his time at Texas Tech, he studied advanced wind-band conducting under Dr. Eric Allen and graduate studies in Wind Literature with Dr. Sarah McKoin. During his studies he performed with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps for three years, contributing to two Jim Ott High Brass awards and a John Brazale High Visual award.

Mr. Garrison was previously the Director of Bands at Connally High School. Prior to this role, he spent five years as the Assistant Band Director at Lehman High School. At Lehman, he directed the Marching Band and Non-Varsity Band, coordinated the leadership team, and re-established the Jazz bands. Under his leadership, the marching band consistently reached finalist status, and his ensembles received Division One ratings. In 2022, his ensemble was honored as a Citation of Excellence Commended Winner.

From 2015 to 2017, Mr. Garrison served as the Assistant Director of Bands at David Crockett High School. There, he led the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, leadership team, and Colorguard. His guidance resulted in UIL Division One Ratings for both the Marching Band and Symphonic Band and contributed to the program's growth.

Between 2013 and 2015, Mr. Garrison played a pivotal role in the Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, initially serving as the Brass and Visual Caption Heads in their inaugural year, then as the Visual Caption Head in 2014, and finally as the Assistant Director in 2015.

Outside of band directing, Mr. Garrison is a music transcriptionist and visual designer. In his personal time, he enjoys running, walking his dog Walter, and hiking and traveling with his wife Lauren. Together, they aspire to visit every U.S. National Park.

Jacob Gall

Percussion Director

jacob.gall@leanderisd.org

Jacob Gall is excited to begin year five as Director of Percussion at Glenn High School! Prior to Mr. Gall's appointment to the Glenn High School band program, he previously held the Director of Percussion position with the Wakeland High School band program. During Mr. Gall’s three years at Wakeland, the group advanced to UIL 5A State Finals twice where they were recognized among the best 5A bands across the state of Texas. Prior to Mr. Gall’s appointment in Frisco, he was on faculty at Bloomsburg University, where he served as percussion studio professor, marching band director, director of percussion ensembles, director of percussion methods, and lecturer of world music. Prior to teaching at the college level, Mr. Gall taught middle school band for two years in Stafford County, Virginia.

Mr. Gall hails from Richmond, Virginia where he was raised in a musical family of six. Growing up, Gall had the privilege of learning from his father, a band director of thirty-one years, and his mother, an active performer as a singer and guitarist. From an early age, Gall’s passion was inherently centered around playing, teaching, writing, and performing music. With the experience he gained as a musician under the tutelage of his father, Gall’s passion led him to choose a life of music.

The 2022 summer season marks Mr. Gall’s fourteenth year on staff with The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, where he serves as the Battery Caption Manager. In most recent history, Mr. Gall was proudly awarded the highest recognition within The Cadets' organization, having been inducted into The Cadets Hall of Fame in the winter of 2021. During Gall's tenure within The Cadets' organization, he was an integral part of the percussion staff that shaped and refined the performance of the DCI world-champion percussion section in the summer of 2013. In addition to earning the Fred J Sanford award in 2013, Mr. Gall was recognized as Staff Member of the Year in 2012. Before assuming a role on The Cadets' staff, he was a member of the snare line for three years under the direction of Tom Aungst and Colin McNutt. In 2007, Gall earned a distinguished service award, and in 2008 as the battery section leader, was awarded Cadet of the Year. Before his time as a member with The Cadets, Gall marched snare for the Crossmen in the summer of 2005, and marched tenors for the Jersey Surf in the summer of 2002.

Mr. Gall earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, with an instrumental emphasis in percussion, while attending the Pennsylvania State University. During Gall’s studies at PSU (2005-2010), he was an active performer both on and off campus. Notable classical performance venues include, Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA), Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh, PA), the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA), and the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.). In addition to his classical studies at Penn State, Gall also marched five consecutive seasons in the Penn State Blue Band, where he served as drum captain his final three years. Also while studying at Penn State, Gall was awarded the Eleanor Beane Scholarship for outstanding performance on marimba and multiple- percussion, the Brewster Scholarship for outstanding performance on marimba, and the Performer’s Recognition Certificate.

Following his undergraduate studies, Mr. Gall continued his education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2010-2012), and graduated with a master’s degree in percussion performance. During his two years at UMASS, he served as graduate teaching assistant to professor Thom Hannum. In addition to teaching marching percussion techniques, Gall performed regularly in the premiere UMASS Marimba Band. It was during Gall’s first year performing in the Marimba Band that the ensemble received the prestigious Downbeat Magazine Jazz Showcase Award. While Gall’s teaching assistant position was in the area of marching percussion and his degree emphasis was in classical percussion, his performance and teaching schedule was highly diverse on a day-to-day basis. As an extension of Gall’s classical performance experience, he was selected to perform chamber music in the McCormick Marimba Festival at the University of South Florida (January of 2012), and the Bard College Chamber Music Performance in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (February of 2012).

Jacob Gall holds professional affiliations with the Texas Music Educators Association and the Percussive Arts Society. Mr. Gall proudly endorses the products of Vic Firth, Zildjian, and Remo.