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BRIAN BEST - Head Director of Bands,
Splendora High School Brian Best serves as the head director of bands at Splendora High School. Brian attended Sam Houston State University where he graduated with a bachelors of music in saxophone performance and a masters of music in instrumental music conducting. Brian has been the director of bands for perennial sweepstakes-winning Texas band programs for both middle school and high school. Under his direction, he has taken his bands to UIL Area Finals and has advanced to UIL State Marching Championships and various state ensemble festivals and contests. Brian is often invited to judge UIL events for marching band and concert and sightreading contests, and he has also been invited to guest clinic TMEA Region Bands. As a wind band composer, Brian has had several commissioned works performed by various programs across the state. As a performing artist, Brian has released two contemporary solo jazz albums and is in high demand as a freelancing saxophone performer, recording artist, and music producer all over the country for many styles of music ranging from pop, dance, rock, jazz, and electric. He is also in demand as a jazz headliner in Houston and all over the country. He is also in demand as an instrumentalist for many bands in the Houston area. Brian has shared the stage with many national jazz artists, such as Allen Vizzutti, Chris Vadala, Regina Belle, Althea Rene, Marion Meadows, Gerald Albright, Bobby Lyle, and Ron Wilkins. Brian has also appeared in several television performances and as a headliner for many jazz festivals, such as the Houston Jazz Festival, Beaumont Jazz Festival, Zachary Breaux Jazz Festival, Kemah Jazz Festival, and the Michigan Jazz Festival. |
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In his free time, Brian enjoys video gaming (IAmMrBest, XBox Live, Steam, and PS Live). He has two dogs: one is Lilly, a Bernese Mountain Dog and weighs about 100 lbs (we don’t talk about her weight though). The other is Dash, a long-haired Daschund. Brian also enjoys writing and producing music in his spare time and highly enjoys practicing his saxophone.
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RYAN MEADOWS - Asst. Director of Bands,
Splendora High School Ryan Meadows serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at Splendora High School. Mr. Meadows began his teaching career at Splendora HS in 2017. After high school, he attended Stephen F. Austin State University, serving as a squad leader for the marching band, was a member of the SFASU Orchestra of the Pines, the SFASU Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Tamey Anglley, Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. David Campo, and the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Fred J. Allen, he was also a member of the SFASU Swingin’ Aces and Swingin’ Axes Jazz Bands under the direction of Dr. Deb Scott, and studied trumpet under Dr. Gary Wurtz. As a performer, Mr. Meadows was a member of all available instrumental ensembles offered at SFASU and was also a member of several Drum Corps International groups including the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, and the World Champion Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. While at Splendora, Mr. Meadows has taught the Marching Band, Symphonic Winds, the SHS Jazz Band, and the basketball pep-band “The Tune Squad” while assisting in teaching the High School Wind Ensemble. Under his direction, the SHS Marching band has received 1st division ratings at UIL in each of his first two years and advanced to the Area Competition both times and also took the only Non-Varsity band to UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation in the high school’s history. Mr. Meadows has also been involved in the Drum Corps International activity as an instructor with The Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps and Music City Drum and Bugle Corps. Teaching Responsibilities at SHS for Mr. Meadows include instructing the Marching Band, the Symphonic Winds, assisting with the Wind Ensemble, assisting the Junior High ensembles, along with teaching beginning trumpet. |
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MIKE LEHEW - Head Director of Bands,
Splendora Junior High Mike Lehew currently serves as the director of bands for Splendora Junior High. Before arriving at Splendora ISD, Mr. Lehew spent seven years in his tenure as the Associate Director of Bands for Crosby ISD. During his time there, the marching band qualified for the UIL State Marching Band Championships twice. His ensemble have received consistent division one ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading contests. The Crosby HS Non-Varsity Concert Band is a 2018 Commended Winner for the Citation of Excellence, sponsored by The Foundation for Music Education. Mr. Lehew also taught beginner low brass and double-reed classes at Crosby Middle School. |
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Before Crosby ISD, Mr. Lehew was affiliated with several district private lesson programs in the surrounding Houston area, including: Galena Park, Deer Park, Channelview, Klein, Alvin, and Cleer Creek. Under his tutelage, Mr. Lehew has produced several All-Region and Area instrumentalists, as well as a handful of All-State musicians.
In his spare time, Mr. Lehew enjoys being the sponsor of the Crosby HS Leo Club and is a member of the Lions Club International. He also spends most of his summer months working with Houston area band camps. Mr. Lehew does all of this to continually mentor students outside of school and to help develop students into the leaders he knows they have the potential to become some day.
Mr. Lehew is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, The Association of Texas Professional Educators, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He also holds the rank of Eagle Scout for the Boy Scouts of American.
In his spare time, Mr. Lehew enjoys being the sponsor of the Crosby HS Leo Club and is a member of the Lions Club International. He also spends most of his summer months working with Houston area band camps. Mr. Lehew does all of this to continually mentor students outside of school and to help develop students into the leaders he knows they have the potential to become some day.
Mr. Lehew is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, The Association of Texas Professional Educators, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He also holds the rank of Eagle Scout for the Boy Scouts of American.
PAT CROFTON - Director of Bands,
Piney Woods Elementary, Timber Lakes Elementary
Pat Crofton is the band director at Timber Lakes and Piney Woods Elementary Schools. Prior to joining Splendora ISD, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Houston Baptist University in 1994. After college, Mr. Crofton taught for twenty-six years in Houston area public and private schools, including ten years as the head band director at Magnolia West High School. During his time at Magnolia West High School, the band grew from twenty-eight members to more than two hundred and fifty members. Under Mr. Crofton's leadership, the Magnolia West High School Band earned multiple first place finishes. In 2014, the Magnolia West Band earned a third place finish at the US Bands National Championships in Allentown, Pennsylvania, while winning Best Music Award, Best Drumline Award, Best Color Guard Award, and The Cadets Award for Creativity. While teaching in private schools, Mr. Crofton's bands earned multiple Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Instrumental Music State Championships.
Mr. Crofton also teaches private clarinet, bass clarinet, and saxophone lessons. More than twenty of Mr. Crofton's students have earned places in the TMEA, ATSBB, and TPSMEA All-State Bands and Jazz Bands.
Mr. Crofton's mentors and teachers include Mr. Chester Rowell, Dr. Mike Cavin, Dr. Robert Linder, Dr. Robert Zwick, and Mr. Richard Wilkie.
Mr.Crofton has served in numerous volunteer and leadership capacities including Texas Private School Music Educators Association Vice-President for Band, TMEA Region IX 5A Judge Coordinator, ATSSB Region IX Jazz Band Organizer, Monarch Independent Vice-President, Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools State Music Advisory Committee.
Piney Woods Elementary, Timber Lakes Elementary
Pat Crofton is the band director at Timber Lakes and Piney Woods Elementary Schools. Prior to joining Splendora ISD, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Houston Baptist University in 1994. After college, Mr. Crofton taught for twenty-six years in Houston area public and private schools, including ten years as the head band director at Magnolia West High School. During his time at Magnolia West High School, the band grew from twenty-eight members to more than two hundred and fifty members. Under Mr. Crofton's leadership, the Magnolia West High School Band earned multiple first place finishes. In 2014, the Magnolia West Band earned a third place finish at the US Bands National Championships in Allentown, Pennsylvania, while winning Best Music Award, Best Drumline Award, Best Color Guard Award, and The Cadets Award for Creativity. While teaching in private schools, Mr. Crofton's bands earned multiple Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Instrumental Music State Championships.
Mr. Crofton also teaches private clarinet, bass clarinet, and saxophone lessons. More than twenty of Mr. Crofton's students have earned places in the TMEA, ATSBB, and TPSMEA All-State Bands and Jazz Bands.
Mr. Crofton's mentors and teachers include Mr. Chester Rowell, Dr. Mike Cavin, Dr. Robert Linder, Dr. Robert Zwick, and Mr. Richard Wilkie.
Mr.Crofton has served in numerous volunteer and leadership capacities including Texas Private School Music Educators Association Vice-President for Band, TMEA Region IX 5A Judge Coordinator, ATSSB Region IX Jazz Band Organizer, Monarch Independent Vice-President, Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools State Music Advisory Committee.
CLIFF BROWN - Director of Bands,
Peach Creek Elementary, Greenleaf Elementary
Cliff Brown currently serves as the 6th grade band director for both Greenleaf and Peachcreek Elementary Schools. Before arriving at Splendora ISD, Mr. Brown spent the last 14 years as a band director with the Aldine, Goose Creek, and Anahuac ISDs. During his career his students have finished with many different state accolades, such as runner-up in the “C” Honor Band process twice, as well as a 2nd and 4th place finish within the “2A” state marching band competition.
Prior to teaching, Mr. Brown attended McNeese State University and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree, and is currently on track to graduate with his Masters of Instructional Design degree this upcoming Spring. At home, Mr. Brown enjoys the company of his beautiful wife Sarah, his four children Adalyn, Elliot, Isaac, and Vada, and his four dogs.
Mr. Brown is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Peach Creek Elementary, Greenleaf Elementary
Cliff Brown currently serves as the 6th grade band director for both Greenleaf and Peachcreek Elementary Schools. Before arriving at Splendora ISD, Mr. Brown spent the last 14 years as a band director with the Aldine, Goose Creek, and Anahuac ISDs. During his career his students have finished with many different state accolades, such as runner-up in the “C” Honor Band process twice, as well as a 2nd and 4th place finish within the “2A” state marching band competition.
Prior to teaching, Mr. Brown attended McNeese State University and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree, and is currently on track to graduate with his Masters of Instructional Design degree this upcoming Spring. At home, Mr. Brown enjoys the company of his beautiful wife Sarah, his four children Adalyn, Elliot, Isaac, and Vada, and his four dogs.
Mr. Brown is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
CHRISTINA MAXWELL
Color Guard Director
Christina Maxwell serves as the director of the Splendora High School Color Guard. She grew up in South Texas where she played clarinet and was on her high school flag corps. Though accepted to the color guard at the University of Texas at Arlington, she chose to move to Louisiana and attended college there. After graduating with honors from the University of Louisiana – Lafayette with a degree in Education, Mrs. Maxwell remained in Louisiana where she taught middle school for 6 years. During this time she built a junior high flag corps that performed during local parades and pep rallies. She returned to Texas to teach junior high and middle school for 5 more years before quitting to run her own business. Mrs. Maxwell has four children, a very helpful husband, and is getting her M.Ed. in Counseling and Development - Marriage and Family Therapy while working with the Splendora High School Color Guard.
Color Guard Director
Christina Maxwell serves as the director of the Splendora High School Color Guard. She grew up in South Texas where she played clarinet and was on her high school flag corps. Though accepted to the color guard at the University of Texas at Arlington, she chose to move to Louisiana and attended college there. After graduating with honors from the University of Louisiana – Lafayette with a degree in Education, Mrs. Maxwell remained in Louisiana where she taught middle school for 6 years. During this time she built a junior high flag corps that performed during local parades and pep rallies. She returned to Texas to teach junior high and middle school for 5 more years before quitting to run her own business. Mrs. Maxwell has four children, a very helpful husband, and is getting her M.Ed. in Counseling and Development - Marriage and Family Therapy while working with the Splendora High School Color Guard.
Band Technical Staff
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LAMAR
BURKHALTER Percussion Coordinator and Consultant 
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ISABELLE
FRAKEY Marching Band Tech, Clarinet 
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GAGE
COPE Marching Band Tech, Low Brass 
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SHELTON
KECK Front Ensemble Percussion Tech 
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