Ask Mike

Helping other Music Educators learn from our mistakes! No need to reinvent the wheel, Mike has been there and done that. Just ask Mike!

Mike Lunney spent 31 successful years as a head band director in the State of Texas, where his bands were consistently recognized as superior bands. Mike is still active as a clinician, mentor and adjudicator.

Derrick Killam has been involved in school music programs in the state of Texas since 1990 through music retail. Derrick has been a repair tech, shop foreman, Education Rep and currently is the Operations Manager for N-Tune Music and Sound, a NAMM Top 100 Dealer!

Contributors

Host

Derrick Killam

Although Derrick went to school for Music Education, he has never taught. But he has spent over 30 years around school music programs as an Education Rep for two successful music retailers. Starting in the 90's, Derrick worked for Caldwell Music Company, then beginning in 2007 with N-Tune Music and Sound. It has been Derrick's great joy and satisfaction to see school music programs grow and become successful. Along the way, Derrick has seen some great examples of music educators, and a few we could learn lessons from to avoid the pitfalls.

Talking about shaping the future of music through young people and their directors/conductors/teacher is something Derrick gets passionate about. And he invites you to not only listen in but join the conversation!

Co-host

Mike Lunney

Mike Lunney spent 31 years as a head band director in Texas. His ensembles were consistent sweepstakes winners and advanced to the UIL state marching contest 7 times. His bands also made appearances in the TMEA honor band and ATSSB outstanding performance series.

Mike is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association and Texas Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. He has been on the Music Advisory Committee and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association (CSAPP committee).

Mike is retired from full-time teaching but remains in high demand as a clinician, student leadership trainer, band booster trainer, mentor for directors and adjudicator.

Mike enjoys time and travels spent with his family. His son Dr. Austin Lunney and daughter-in-law Brenna reside in Tuscola, Texas and are the parents of Mike’s amazing grandsons - five year old Grant and two year old Cason!

Guests

Guest

Anthony Gibson

Anthony Gibson has a long tenure of arts education in Texas. Following retirement as Director of Fine Arts for the Allen Independent School District, he serves as a music consultant throughout the county. While teaching in both small school and large school programs, he placed high priority on student, parent, and community participation. As Director of Bands and Performing Arts for Allen ISD, he was instrumental in the growth of the largest band and orchestra programs in the country.

Besides Allen, Mr. Gibson has taught at Cooper High School in Abilene, TX; Coronado High School in Lubbock, TX; and Muleshoe High School in Muleshoe, TX. High School band s under Mr. Gibson's direction earned UIL Sweepstakes awards 24 consecutive years.

Mr. Gibson stays active as an adjudicator, clinician and conductor. However, he considers his greatest accomplishments to be his wife, Carren, of 40 years and his children and grandchildren.

Guest appearance on:

Guest

James Cross

James Cross has taught music education across the state of Texas for 20 plus years. Mr. Cross is currently the Director at Hamlin High School in Hamlin, Texas.

Guest

Jay Lester

Jay Lester is currently serving as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. A product of the Abilene public schools, he retired from the Abilene ISD as Executive Director of Fine Arts in December 2023. He also serves as the UIL Music Region 6 Executive Secretary for Region 6 and as a VIP for Conn-Selmer.

https://www.hsutx.edu/faculty/lester-jay/

Guest

Lynsey Gold

Lynsey Gold has forged a reputation as a program builder. She has taken programs that were struggling and created a gold medal winning UIL State Marching Champions! Her bands consistently make superior ratings and she is a no doubt up and comer in the ranks of Texas Band Directors. Gold has taught in Ozona, Menard, Redwater, and is currently in Junction, Texas.

Guest

Michael Watts

Michael Watts was a band director at Permian High School in Odessa, Texas for a total of 27 years, 17 as the head director. With experience in several states, as well at middle school and high school before retirement, Mr. Watts is a great conversation! Whether it's retirement, pedagogy, or just life, Mr. Watts has experience to share!

Guest appearance on:

Guest

Stephen Cox

Stephen T. Cox is the Director of Music Education for the Willis Wonderland Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization founded in memory of legendary songwriter Allee Willis. Mr. Cox develops programs and curriculum around music education and songwriting for the foundation.. He is also a sought after speaker and clinician for jazz bands, concert bands, and modern band programs and leads workshops in creative music making across the United States.

Core to his teaching philosophy, Mr. Cox believes that fine arts programs should be integral to their communities, that students should have as much control as possible, and that our ultimate goal is to give students the skills they need to chart their own path in life.

Mr. Cox is married to Stephanie Cox, visual art teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, TX. They have three amazing children, Aubree, Chuck, and Caesar.

https://stephentcox.com

Guest

Tommy Perkins

Tommy Perkins has created a successful career in music education covering almost three decades. Mr. Perkins is currently the Head Director of Bands in Bangs, TX.