TONY RUIZ - aruiz9@neisd.net
DirectorMr. Ruiz oversees the Marching Band and the Wind Ensemble. Originally from San Antonio, attended Douglas MacArthur High School and earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. During his time at Texas State, Mr. Ruiz performed in multiple marching, concert, and jazz ensembles. He also served as Drum Major of the Bobcat Marching Band in 2004. After marching with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003, 2004, and 2006, he served as a member of the Brass Staff for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps since 2011. Mr. Ruiz's professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
CHARLES STOLLON - cstoll@neisd.net
Associate DirectorMr. Stollon duties include: directing the Symphonic Winds, co-teaching the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and Concert Band, assisting with the Marching band, and team teaching at the feeder middle schools. Before teaching at Churchill, Mr. Stollon was an Assistant Director of Bands at Field Middle School in Carrollton, TX, and Memorial High School in Victoria, TX.
Mr. Stollon acquired his Bachelors of Music Education degree in 2006 from the University of North Texas where he was an active member of the renowned euphonium studio under Dr. Brian Bowman, concert and brass bands with Dr. Nicholas Enrico Williams, a drum major of the Green Brigade Marching Band, and student leader of the U.N.T. Basketball Band.
Mr. Stollon has a Master’s Degree in Music Education at Texas State University in San Marcos, where he was heavily involved as a Graduate Instructional Assistant in the instrumental methods classes and performing ensembles. While in attendance, he studied euphonium with Professor Raul Rodriguez, research with Dr. Amy Simmons, instrumental pedagogy with Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt, and conducting with Dr. Caroline Beatty. He sat principal euphonium in the Wind Ensemble, and co-conducted the University Concert Band.
Mr. Stollon currently resides in San Antonio with his wife, children, and dogs. He is a Former Marching Member of the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps (’02, ’04) and is affiliated with the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Tau Beta Sigma service Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity.
DAVID GIDDENS - dgidde@neisd.net
Director of PercussionMr. Giddens is a native of Fitzgerald, Georgia. He attended Jacksonville State University where he completed his undergraduate work as a scholarship recipient. He then moved to Jacksonville, AL., to obtain his graduate studies at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. While at JSU he was a member of the nationally famed Marching Southerners Percussion Section and in 1995 and 1996 he served as the Marching Percussion Coordinator. His role involved arranging for the Marching Band Drumline, the PASIC competitive Drumline. In the summer of 2006. He completed his graduate work and teaching certification at Lee University, where he studied Conducting with Dr. Stephen Plate and Arranging with Dr. David L. Holsinger. Mr. Giddens performed with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in the summers of 1991 and 1993. In 1994 performed with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from Denver, CO. His groups have gone on to make finals at the Winterguard International World Championships 11 times in varying classes, including a World Class Championship in 1995 as a performer with the Atlanta Rhythm Machine. Over the years, Mr. Giddens has been on the instructional and design teams of finalist groups such as Music City Mystique, Velocity, Chattanooga Independent and Kennesaw Mountain High School.