West Fork Gator Band

Directors

West FOrk High School

Brian Moran

Director of Bands

[email protected]

Brian Moran is currently the Director of Bands at West Fork High School. Mr. Moran is starting his 26th year in education, and has previously taught in Spring ISD, Magnolia ISD, and most recently in Conroe ISD. He has had the honor of opening 4 new schools in his career: Claughton Middle School as the Director of Bands, Magnolia West HS as the Director of Bands, and Grand Oaks HS as the Assistant Band Director.

 

Mr. Moran attended the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1999. He then continued his education at Sam Houston State University,  where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 2008.  

 

While at the University of Houston, Mr. Moran performed in the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Eddie Green, the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Franz Krager, and the Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Noe Marmolejo. Mr. Moran can be heard performing trombone on the UH Wind Ensemble recordings of Enigma Variations in 1999 and The Planets/Appalachian Spring in 1998, in which the latter was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Mr. Moran was named the Collins Intermediate Teacher of the Year in 2013, and was then honored as the Conroe ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year that same year. He has presented numerous clinics in Houston area districts, and was also honored to present a clinic with his mentor, Gloria Ramirez, at the Midwest International Music Clinic in Chicago, IL.

Mr. Moran’s greatest joy is his family. His wife, Dusti, is an art teacher at Suchma Elementary in Conroe ISD.  They have four children, Ella (Freshman music major at Sam Houston State University), Ainslie (10th grade percussionist at West Fork HS), Finnian (9th grade trombonist at West Fork HS) and Donovan (6th grade euphonium at Suchma Elementary).   The Morans also have 2 dogs.  Tucker is a miniature schnauzer and Oakleigh is a black lab.

Brian Moran is currently the Director of Bands at West Fork High School. Mr. Moran is starting his 26th year in education, and has previously taught in Spring ISD, Magnolia ISD, and most recently in Conroe ISD. He has had the honor of opening 4 new schools in his career: Claughton Middle School as the Director of Bands, Magnolia West HS as the Director of Bands, and Grand Oaks HS as the Assistant Band Director.

 

Mr. Moran attended the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1999. He then continued his education at Sam Houston State University,  where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 2008.  

 

While at the University of Houston, Mr. Moran performed in the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Eddie Green, the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Franz Krager, and the Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Noe Marmolejo. Mr. Moran can be heard performing trombone on the UH Wind Ensemble recordings of Enigma Variations in 1999 and The Planets/Appalachian Spring in 1998, in which the latter was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Mr. Moran was named the Collins Intermediate Teacher of the Year in 2013, and was then honored as the Conroe ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year that same year. He has presented numerous clinics in Houston area districts, and was also honored to present a clinic with his mentor, Gloria Ramirez, at the Midwest International Music Clinic in Chicago, IL.

Mr. Moran’s greatest joy is his family. His wife, Dusti, is an art teacher at Suchma Elementary in Conroe ISD.  They have four children, Ella (Freshman music major at Sam Houston State University), Ainslie (10th grade percussionist at West Fork HS), Finnian (9th grade trombonist at West Fork HS) and Donovan (6th grade euphonium at Suchma Elementary).   The Morans also have 2 dogs.  Tucker is a miniature schnauzer and Oakleigh is a black lab.

Weston Quintana

Assistant Director of Bands

[email protected]

Weston Quintana is in his 6th year of teaching in New Caney ISD and currently serves as the Assistant Band Director at West Fork High School. His responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Band, assisting with the Wind Ensemble, and co-directing the Gator Marching Band. Before joining the West Fork Band program, Mr. Quintana was the Assistant Band Director of Pine Valley Middle School and also served as the Electives Department Chair. Under his direction, the Pine Valley Non-Varsity Band received their first Sweepstakes Award at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest.

 

Mr. Quintana is an honors graduate of Sam Houston State University where he holds a Bachelor’s of Music and a Masters of Music degree, having most recently studied instrumental conducting under Dr. Matthew McInturf.  During his undergraduate degree, Mr. Quintana was the principal clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble, and in the Symphony Orchestra. He also served as the clarinetist for the Sam Houston State University Opera program and held leadership responsibilities in the Bearkat Marching Band. In addition, Mr. Quintana has experience as a music instructor, providing private lessons to intermediate, junior high, and high school students in the North Houston area.

 

His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Clarinet Association. 

 

Mr. Quintana resides in Magnolia with his wife Kelsie, who is the Head Choir Director at McCullough Junior High in Conroe ISD, and their two dogs Nala & Panther.

Weston Quintana is in his 6th year of teaching in New Caney ISD and currently serves as the Assistant Band Director at West Fork High School. His responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Band, assisting with the Wind Ensemble, and co-directing the Gator Marching Band. Before joining the West Fork Band program, Mr. Quintana was the Assistant Band Director of Pine Valley Middle School and also served as the Electives Department Chair. Under his direction, the Pine Valley Non-Varsity Band received their first Sweepstakes Award at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest.

 

Mr. Quintana is an honors graduate of Sam Houston State University where he holds a Bachelor’s of Music and a Masters of Music degree, having most recently studied instrumental conducting under Dr. Matthew McInturf.  During his undergraduate degree, Mr. Quintana was the principal clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble, and in the Symphony Orchestra. He also served as the clarinetist for the Sam Houston State University Opera program and held leadership responsibilities in the Bearkat Marching Band. In addition, Mr. Quintana has experience as a music instructor, providing private lessons to intermediate, junior high, and high school students in the North Houston area.

 

His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Clarinet Association. 

 

Mr. Quintana resides in Magnolia with his wife Kelsie, who is the Head Choir Director at McCullough Junior High in Conroe ISD, and their two dogs Nala & Panther.

Timothy Turnley

Percussion Director

[email protected]

Timothy Turnley (b. 2001) is a Percussion Performer and Educator from Keller,Texas. He graduated from Keller High School in the Spring of 2019 where he studied under the influence of Mr. Frank Chapple, Russell Wharton, Miles Locke and Ms. Cara Wildman. In August 2019, Tim began his formal studies at the University of Houston to major in Music Education under the direction of Dr. Blake Wilkins and Mr. Alec Warren.

 

As an educator, Tim has taught various drumlines across Texas including Allen HS, Keller HS, Clear Springs HS, Travis HS,and North Shore HS.

 

For two years, Tim worked as the Private Lessons Instructor for the Shadow Creek High School feeder pattern which also included Nolan Ryan Junior High and Dr. Ronald McNair Junior High in Pearland, Texas. He student taught at Clear Brook HS and Brookside Intermediate in Clear Creek ISD. This upcoming school year, Mr. Turnley is excited to join the team at Woodridge Forest Middle School and West Fork High School in New Caney ISD!

 

As a performer, Tim has performed in venues across the United States with the Keller High School Band/Choir the “Spirit of Houston” Marching Band, and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. These venues include but are not limited to:

the Alamodome in San Antonio, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. His favorite venue so far has been the streets of New York during the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 

More recently, Tim has performed with the UH Moores School of Music Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and PANtagonist Steel Band. He has also played drumset for various Houston area churches such as FBC Texas City, FUMC Dickinson, and was the lead drummer for the UH BSM Worship Band for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

Tim was proud to serve as Section Leader for the 2022 Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps Front Ensemble.

 

Tim’s professional affiliations includes the Texas Music Educators Association, Association of Texas Professional Educators, and the Percussive Arts Society – Texas Chapter.

Timothy Turnley (b. 2001) is a Percussion Performer and Educator from Keller,Texas. He graduated from Keller High School in the Spring of 2019 where he studied under the influence of Mr. Frank Chapple, Russell Wharton, Miles Locke and Ms. Cara Wildman. In August 2019, Tim began his formal studies at the University of Houston to major in Music Education under the direction of Dr. Blake Wilkins and Mr. Alec Warren.

 

As an educator, Tim has taught various drumlines across Texas including Allen HS, Keller HS, Clear Springs HS, Travis HS,and North Shore HS.

 

For two years, Tim worked as the Private Lessons Instructor for the Shadow Creek High School feeder pattern which also included Nolan Ryan Junior High and Dr. Ronald McNair Junior High in Pearland, Texas. He student taught at Clear Brook HS and Brookside Intermediate in Clear Creek ISD. This upcoming school year, Mr. Turnley is excited to join the team at Woodridge Forest Middle School and West Fork High School in New Caney ISD!

 

As a performer, Tim has performed in venues across the United States with the Keller High School Band/Choir the “Spirit of Houston” Marching Band, and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. These venues include but are not limited to: the Alamodome in San Antonio, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. His favorite venue so far has been the streets of New York during the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 

More recently, Tim has performed with the UH Moores School of Music Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and PANtagonist Steel Band. He has also played drumset for various Houston area churches such as FBC Texas City, FUMC Dickinson, and was the lead drummer for the UH BSM Worship Band for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

Tim was proud to serve as Section Leader for the 2022 Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps Front Ensemble.

 

Tim’s professional affiliations includes the Texas Music Educators Association, Association of Texas Professional Educators, and the Percussive Arts Society – Texas Chapter.

Alejandro Vivas

Color Guard Director

[email protected]

Mr.Vivas is a Colorguard Performer and Educator from Cypress,Texas. He graduated from Cypress Ranch High School in 2020 where soon after he seeked more experience in the Professional World of Colorguard.

 

Mr.Vivas has taught at several High School programs in the Houston area such as Klein High School, Clear Springs High School, Cy-Fair High School, Cypress Woods High School, and now serves as the Colorguard Director at West Fork High School.

 

In Mr.Vivas’s performance career he performed with several groups including Redemption Winterguard, Origins Open Winterguard, Origins World Winterguard, Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, and The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.

 

Most Recently Mr.Vivas aged out with the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps where he won the George ZinGali Award for Best Colorguard and Also won the DCI World Championship.

 

Mr.Vivas is very excited to join this amazing staff and help turn the Colorguard into something great!

Mr.Vivas is a Colorguard Performer and Educator from Cypress,Texas. He graduated from Cypress Ranch High School in 2020 where soon after he seeked more experience in the Professional World of Colorguard.

 

Mr.Vivas has taught at several High School programs in the Houston area such as Klein High School, Clear Springs High School, Cy-Fair High School, Cypress Woods High School, and now serves as the Colorguard Director at West Fork High School.

 

In Mr.Vivas’s performance career he performed with several groups including Redemption Winterguard, Origins Open Winterguard, Origins World Winterguard, Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, and The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.

 

Most Recently Mr.Vivas aged out with the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps where he won the George ZinGali Award for Best Colorguard and Also won the DCI World Championship.

 

Mr.Vivas is very excited to join this amazing staff and help turn the Colorguard into something great!

Woodridge Forest Middle School

Jessica Longlois

Director of Bands

[email protected]

Melody Ozaki

Assistant Band Director

[email protected]

Tim Turnley

Assistant Band Director

[email protected]