Charles H. Sander, a Brenham native, is in his seventh year at Harper High School as Director of Bands. Prior to accepting this position, Mr. Sander has taught 18 years in the public schools of Texas and Louisiana including serving as the Graduate Assistant for Band and Tuba at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette from 1985-1987.
Mr. Sander holds a High School Diploma from Brenham High School, an Associate of Arts degree from Blinn College in Brenham, a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, a Master of Music in Performance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has also done additional graduate work in Computers in Education at McNeese State University.
Mr. Sander currently performs as the Principal Tuba with the Symphony of the Hills. He also presently serves on the adjunct music faculty at Schreiner University; teaching Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Band and Brass Methods. In the past Mr. Sander has performed with many organizations throughout Texas and Louisiana; including the position of Principal Tuba with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and a feature performer at the 1987 Houston-Area T.U.B.A. workshop. Mr. Sander was the 1987 University of Louisiana Concerto Competition Winner. Mr. Sander has performed at LMEA (two occasions), TMEA, TBA (two occasions), and the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
His Waco High School Band performed as part of the festivities at the 2001 Inauguration of President George W. Bush. Mr. Sander was named to the 2002 National Band Association All-American Community Band.
Mr. Sander was the housing coordinator for the 1999 Association of Texas Small School Bands All-State Band and assisted with housing of the 2004 All-State Band. He has been a judge of the All-State Tryouts for four years. He continues to judge throughout the state of Texas. He was a field instructor for the 1985 Louisiana All-Star Marching Band and has worked with bands across Texas and Louisiana. He is a member of ATSSB, TMEA, and TBA. Mr. Sander is most proud that bands under his direction have been a part of the Texas State Wind Ensemble Contest on nine different occasions. In addition, his bands have earned numerous superior ratings and best in class awards in UIL and invitational events.
Because of the Harper High School Band’s Superior Rating at all three 2008-2009 UIL Contests, the band has been awarded the prestigious UIL Sweepstakes Award for the fourth consecutive year. They have earned the Sweepstakes Award eight of the last ten years, and have earned first division superior ratings at twelve consecutive UIL contests dating back to the fall of 2005.
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Joseph Allen graduated from Uvalde High School as Valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar award winner. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, where he studied composition with Robert DiDomenica. Mr. Allen returned to Texas in 2001 to attend graduate school `at the University of Texas, Austin.
In addition to his teaching duties at Harper, Mr. Allen currently performs as Bass Trombonist with the Symphony of the Hills, Kerrville.
His other interests and hobbies include computers, hiking/camping and photography.
