Brett Nelson, Director of Bands
Brett Nelson is the Director of Bands at Friendswood HS. At FHS, his responsibilities included directing Mustang Marching Band and Wind Ensemble. His students have been a UIL 5A State Marching Contest Finalist, Bands of America Regional Finalist, and Class Champions. Concert Bands at Friendswood have been named a two-time National Winner in the Mark of Excellence Wind Band Honors Project and a Medal of Distinction National Winner. Before his appointment at Friendswood, Mr. Nelson was the Director of Bands at Jersey Village HS in Houston, TX. He directed the Falcon Marching Band and Wind Ensemble and oversaw all other aspects of the program. While at JVHS, his students advance to the UIL 6A State Marching Band Contest for the first time in the school’s history, National Winner in the Mark of Excellence Wind Band Honors Project, TMEA Area Honor Band Finalist, and UIL Sweepstakes award winner.
Brett holds degrees from Texas State University and served on the brass faculties of Texas Lutheran University and Texas State University. Trumpet and Band mentors are Raymond Crisara, Dr. Keith Winking, Beth Bronk, Tom Bennett, Denis Kidwell, Eddie Green, Tye Ann Payne, Marion West, John Stansberry, and Jim Hudson.
Mr. Nelson has also served on the Blue Knights and Guardians Drum Corps staff and as a consultant for several marching bands throughout the country. He lives in Alvin with his beautiful wife, Courtney, and their two kids, Madison and Eli.
Julio Sanchez, Associate Band Director
Mr. Sanchez is a 1990 Graduate of Texas Tech University. Mr. Sanchez has 30 years of teaching experience in Texas public schools. In April 2016 he received one of FISD’s Making a Difference Awards. He was also a member of the DCI World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard in the Summer of 1986.
He is currently in his 25th year at Friendswood HS as an assistant director of the Friendswood High School Band program. His concert bands have earned consecutive UIL Excellent ratings in concert & sight-reading contests. He also directs the jazz ensemble and is the percussion director and district percussion coordinator. Many of his students have placed in the TMEA Region, Area, and All-State percussion auditions. His percussion sections have captured numerous high drum awards at various marching contests and festivals in the Houston area. Mr. Sanchez also conducts the school pit orchestra for the high school musical. Under his direction, the orchestra captured the coveted and prestigious 2014 & 2018 Tommy Tune "Best Orchestra" caption award.
Mr. Sanchez is also active as a performer with the choir at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, Tx. under the direction of Dr. Charles Hausmann. Some of the choirs' works and recordings have included works by Giussepe Verdi, Karl Jenkins, and John Rutter plus the U.S. premiere of Howard Goodall’s Every Purpose Under Heaven, The King James Oratorio.
His professional memberships include TMEA, TBA, PAS, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is also a proud educational endorser of Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets. Mr. Sanchez lives in Pearland with his beautiful wife Sheryl and their son Alec.
Maycie Meyer, Associate Band Director
Ms. Meyer is a graduate of the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston where she received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
During her time at the University of Houston, she studied trumpet with Mark Hughes of the Houston Symphony and was a member of the University of Houston Wind Ensemble under the direction of the David Bertman, the Moores School Ballet Orchestra, and Spirit of Houston Marching Band. Ms. Meyer served as principal trumpet of the University of Houston Wind Ensemble for three years including their performance at the 2018
Southwestern Division Conference of the College Band Director’s National Association.
In 2014 Ms. Meyer marched with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps as a member of the hornline and went on to become the Assistant Drum Major in 2015, and the Head Drum Major in 2016. Ms. Meyer graduated from The Woodlands High School, where she was a member of the 2013 Bands of America Grand National Champion Marching Band.
In addition, Ms. Meyer has taught private trumpet lessons and numerous region masterclasses in the Houston area for five years. She has served on the marching band staff for several schools in the Houston area including The Woodlands High School, Stephen F. Austin High School, and North Shore Senior High School.
In her free time, Ms. Meyer loves to spend time with her chihuahua named Millie, hike, travel, and cook!
Stephanie Chavez, Color Guard Director
Stephanie Chavez began her Color Guard career as a member of the Cypress Falls HS Color Guard from 2003-2007. Upon graduating from HS, she continued to pursue her passion for color guard as a member of the Phantom Regiment Color Guard from 2007-2010. During her time with the Phantom Regiment, Ms. Chavez served as the Color Guard Co-Captain in 2009 and Color Guard Captain in 2010. After four years with the Phantom Regiment, Ms. Chavez decided to march her last summer of drum corps with the 2011 Carolina Crown. Aside from drum corps, Ms. Chavez also performed during the winter guard season with Code Black in 2008 and continued her performance career as Captain of Cypress Independent Winter Guard in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2016.
After many years as a performer, Ms. Chavez continues her involvement in the color guard activity as an educator for many high school and independent color guard programs across the nation. From 2007-2013, Ms. Chavez was the Color Guard Director at Cypress Ridge HS, from 2010-2015 she was a tech/choreographer for the 2014 WGI Scholastic Open champions, Spring HS and from 2013-2018 she was the Color Guard Director for the 2017 WGI Scholastic A champions, Klein Oak HS. During the summers of 2012- 2013, she taught the Blue Knights Color Guard, the Crossmen Color Guard in 2015- 2016, and recently the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps for their 2017 season. From 2013-2015 Chavez has served as a technician for Cypress Independent and will be returning as the ‘lead weapon tech’ for their 2018 season.
After her first summer with the Phantom Regiment as the CG Caption head for their 2018 season, Ms. Chavez will continue her career as Color Guard Director at Friendswood HS. Aside from her career in the color guard activity, she is also a graduate from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a minor in Education.
Greg Dick, Director Emeritus
Mr. Dick is a graduate of Brazoswood High School and Sam Houston State University. He has taught in the Dickinson, Clear Creek, and Friendswood School Districts. Mr. Dick’s bands have been named ‘Best In Class’ in numerous festivals across Texas. His bands consistently win the UIL Sweepstakes Award. While at Space Center Intermediate School, his band was named the Class CCC Middle School State Champion Band in 1994 & 1998 and performed at the Texas Music Educators Convention in 1995 & 1998. His Space Center Band was one of two intermediate bands in the U.S. to play at the Midwest International Band Convention in 1999 in Chicago. In 2000, the Space Center Band earned the Sudler Cup from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. This award recognizes outstanding band programs at the international level. The Friendswood High School Band has enjoyed much success. The Marching Band has been to nine consecutive UIL State Marching Contests, six finals appearances, and won three Silver Medals. The Wind Ensemble was the TMEA State 4A Honor Band in 2006 and 2010 and a six-time finalist. The FHS Wind Ensemble has performed at the Midwest Clinic in 2006 and a Winner of the Mark Award of Excellence. The FHS program has received the Sudler Flag from the John Phillip Sousa Foundation. The program has produced 186 All-State musicians. Mr. Dick was named Teacher of the Year for the Clear Creek ISD in 2000. He was awarded the Leadership and Achievement Award by the Texas Music Educators in 1995, 1998, 2006, and 2010. In 1998, Mr. Dick was awarded the Citation of Excellence by the National Band Association. He has twice received the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. He has received the FHS Making a Difference Award. Mr. Dick was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters’ Association at their annual convention which was held in Norfolk, Virginia, March 2-6, 2011. Mr. Dick is a member of Who’s Who of American Teachers. His affiliations include ABA, TMEA, TMAA, & TBA. Mr. Dick is an active adjudicator and clinician across the state. He is married and has two children and two grandchildren.