AUSTIN TRAN
​DIRECTOR OF BANDS

Email:  ​[email protected]
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Austin Tran serves as the Director of Bands at Seabrook Intermediate in Clear Creek ISD and began in 2016. He conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches all brass beginners, and oversees the operations of the Seabrook Band. While at Seabrook Intermediate, the band program has increased  it's numbers of Region Band students every year, has raised retention between all grade levels, and has received accolades such as continuous UIL sweepstakes ratings, superior festival ratings, and was commended winner of the Mark of Excellence Award. In 2024, the Seabrook Wind ensemble placed 7th in the TMEA 2C State Honor Band Competition. 

Prior to coming to Clear Creek ISD,  Mr. Tran taught at Cypress Ridge High School in Cypress Fairbanks ISD as Associate Director where his primary responsibilities included the direction the Non-Varsity Band, Full Orchestra Winds, Sub Non-Varsity B, Marching Band, and AP Music Theory. In 2015 the Cypress Ridge High School Symphony Orchestra was selected to perform at the 69th annual Midwest Clinic and Concert in Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Tran is a graduate of Texas State University, receiving a Master's degree in Instrumental Performance and Bachelor's degree in Music Education under the tutelage of Dr. Martin McCain, Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt, Dr. Caroline Beatty, and Freddie Mendoza. While at Texas State, Mr. Tran participated in numerous ensembles including the Jazz Orchestra, Trombone Choir, Ceremonial Brass Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and served as Principal Trombonist of the Texas State Wind Symphony.
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He is a former member of the Madison Scouts and Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Trombone Association. 

Mr. Tran is an Austin, Texas native.  He currently resides in Houston, Texas with his wife, Ana, and two daughters Zara and Zoe.

MATTHEW McCOY
​ASSISTANT DIRECTOR​

Email: [email protected]

Matthew McCoy is an Assistant Band Director at Seabrook Intermediate School.

​Mr. McCoy is a graduate of Syracuse University in May 2001 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Honors in Saxophone Performance. Prior to that, he attended Wilson Senior High School in West Lawn, Pennsylvania and graduated from there in 1997. Immediately after graduating from Syracuse University, Mr. McCoy served as the Assistant Director of Orchestras at J. Frank Dobie High School and then the Assistant Director of Bands at South Houston High School in Pasadena ISD.

As a saxophone player, Mr. McCoy has studied with Mr. David Bilger, Dr. Ronald Caravan, Dr. Paul Cohen, and studied jazz saxophone with Mr. Tom Strohman of Third Stream. He has also played for a number of top notch performers including Alex Dean and Denis DiBlasio. As an adjudicator, Mr. McCoy has judged numerous solo and ensemble contests in Southeast Texas and All-District Band auditions in New York State.

Mr. McCoy lives in the Clear Lake City area with his wife Alice, who is an Orchestra Director and his two children, Quynn and Ian.

NATHAN VALDEZ 
DIRECTOR OF PERCUSSION - CLEAR FALLS HS, BAYSIDE INT, SEABROOK INT

Email: [email protected]

Mr. Valdez currently serves as Associate Band Director and Percussion Director at Clear Falls HS in League City, Texas. Previously, he worked as a Private Lesson Instructor and Clinician in the Houston Area. Mr. Valdez has worked with many programs including: Cy-Creek HS, Cy-Fair HS, Cy-Ranch HS, Jersey Village HS, Pearland HS, among others. Highlights during this time include multiple best drumline awards for his students, as well as Co-Directing the Cy-Creek Percussion Ensemble, alongside Doug Herrington, and leading the students to win the Percussive Art Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition, and performing at the PAS convention in 2012. Mr. Valdez has also been an active percussion arranger in the Houston area since 2010, and his arrangements have lead groups to multiple drumline awards at area marching competitions.

Mr. Valdez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, where he studied under Dr. Matt McClung. Previously, he attended the University of Houston, where he studied under Dr. Blake Wilkins. He performed with the University of Houston Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Full Orchestra, and Drumline. Highlight performances include performing at both the 2006 and 2008 PAS Convention with the Percussion Ensemble and Drumline, and performing at the TMEA Convention with the Wind Ensemble. Mr. Valdez was also a member of Revolution Drum and Bugle Corp in 2005, competing in DCI Finals and earning a 4th place finish.

​Mr. Valdez is a graduate of Mary Carroll H.S. in Corpus Christi, TX. He is a member of Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Kaitlyn.
BRIAN MORENO
​DIRECTOR OF BAND - CLEAR FALLS HS
Email:  [email protected]

Mr. Moreno has been Director of Bands at Clear Falls High School since 2016. A native of Galveston, Mr. Moreno graduated from Ball High School in 1998 and attended Houston Baptist University and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2004.

Mr. Moreno began his teaching career at Cypress Ridge High School in 2004 and remained there until 2009. He then joined the staff at Texas City High School as the Head Band Director in 2009 to 2015. In 2015, Mr. Moreno was named the Director of Bands at Manvel High School and came to Clear Falls in 2016.

Bands under Mr. Moreno’s direction have frequently earned UIL Superior Ratings in the realms of Marching, Concert, and Sight-reading. Other awards have included Best in Class in the prestigious Bands of America Marching Contests, UIL Area Marching Contest Finalists, Area Honor Band Contest, Best in Show at Houston Area Marching Festivals, and Grand Champions at Choice Music Events.

Mr. Moreno has also enjoyed an enriching career as a freelance trumpet player around the Houston Area. He has played in many venues including playing lead trumpet for jazz ensembles, salsa/meringue groups, the Houston Caribbean festival, and many musicals with professional groups. He still plays his instrument and enjoys being able to demonstrate a variety of musical skills to his students.

​Mr. Moreno has a beautiful wife, Meagen, and three wonderful daughters Aspen, Eliana, and Ondraya. When not at the band hall, he spends much quality time with them and their dog Sandie. Mr. Moreno is also an active member at his church, the First Baptist Church of Galveston under friend and Pastor John Turner.