Contacts:
Mr. Mike Sisco, Director of Bands
Mr. Al Paulson, Associate Director of Bands
Al Dunn, Front Ensamble Director
Chad Mason, Percussion Director
Phone Number: (817) 744-1885
Mr. Mike Sisco, Director of Bands:
Before attending college, Mr. Sisco proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Prior to receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Sisco had the opportunity to be featured as a Trumpet Soloist at the Great Lakes Naval Accadamy, and serve on board the USS Scott DDG-995.
Mr. Sisco attained his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Oklahoma State University where he studied wind conducting with Dr. Joseph P. Missal. While attending OSU, he was a member of the Alpha Chapter "Kappa Kappa Psi" and was awarded the schools "Outstanding Music Major Award.” He was also a "National Collegiate Award Winner" in 1987, presented by the United States Achievement Academy. He later graduated with his Masters in Trumpet Performance from the University of Nebraska.
After working three years as a Director of Bands in Iowa, Mr. Sisco accepted the position as an assistant for four years at Union Public Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During his tenure at Union, his high school and eighth grade bands received superior ratings at all district level competitions, superior ratings at Skiatook Concert Band Contest, and four consecutive "Best in Class" awards from the "Music in the Parks" competitions. Other duties included working with a Bands of America "Grand National Finalist" and Regional Championship marching band, the "Renegade Regiment.” Before relocating to Texas, Mr. Sisco also served two years as the President of the "Northeastern Oklahoma Band Directors Association.”
Mr. Sisco served for three years as the first Associate Director of Bands at Lewisville High School. The Symphonic Winds have received consecutive superior ratings at all "University Interscholastic League" events, earning (UIL) sweepstakes honors each year. The Symphonic Winds also received the "Best in Class" honors at the (2001) World of Music competition held in Anaheim, California. The Lewisville Symphonic Winds were privileged to perform at the 2003 Bands of America Concert Band Festival where he was awarded a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association.
Mr. Sisco completed two years as the Director of Bands for Cooper High School in the Abilene Independent School District. While under his direction, the Awesome Cooper Marching Band received superior ratings at all UIL Region 2 marching competitions and was a finalist band in the 2003 Lewisville Classic. In 2004 the band was named Grand Champions of the Lewisville Classic winning 12 out of 13 1st place awards. The band was also named Grand Champion of the 2004 McMurry Festival of Bands Marching Band Constest. The Cooper High School Wind Symphony received a superior rating in both concert and sightreading at the Region 2 UIL concert band competition, making them a 2004 Sweepstakes Band. Under Mike’s supervision, all three competitive concert groups were awarded the sweepstakes award for the first time in the history of the school. He has recently been honored by the 2005 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
Mr. Sisco was the Director of Bands at Mabank ISD, where the Panther Band was awarded the Bands of America Arlington Regional Class A Champions sweeping all caption awards. The band also finished Runner Up Class A at the BOA Super Regional in San Antonio winning the music caption. His ensembles received Superior Ratings at UIL and DC Festival events. The band was awarded best in class at the DC Festival of the Ozarks held in Branson.
Mr. Sisco is currently the Director of Bands at Fossil Ridge High School where his ensembles have received Superior Rating at all area competitions. The Panther Regiment remains amoung the country’s finest Marching Bands.
Mr. Al Paulson, Associate Director of Bands:
Al Paulson is currently in his first year as the Associate Director of Bands at Fossil Ridge High School. His responsibilities include two concert bands, jazz band, marching band, and 6th grade saxophones classes.
Before moving to Texas, Mr. Paulson was the Director of Bands at Oskaloosa Senior High School in Oskaloosa, Iowa for 13 years. His responsibilities included the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Marching Band, Winter Guard, Winter Drumline, Music Theory and Jazz Improvisation Class, as well as private lessons. While at Oskaloosa, Mr. Paulson led the Marching Indians to 13 straight Division I ratings at the Iowa State Marching Band Festival and over 70 championships with numerous Best Color Guard, Drum Line and Marching Execution awards at various contests throughout the Midwest. Mr. Paulson’s jazz bands were also very successful winning multiple contests throughout the years. The Jazz Ensemble made 8 appearances at the Iowa Jazz Championships placing as high as 4th in 2007. In 1998, the Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform for the Iowa Bandmasters Convention. His concert bands and jazz bands were consistent Division I winners at various Iowa State festivals.
Prior to his tenure at Oskaloosa, Mr. Paulson was Director of Bands, and coached track at Sidney, Iowa from 1987 until 1996. While at Sidney the marching band received 9 straight Division I ratings at the Iowa State Marching Band Festival and over 20 championships with numerous Best Color Guard, Drum Line and Marching execution awards at various contests throughout the state. His concert bands and jazz bands were consistent Division I winners at various Iowa State festivals.
Mr. Paulson was an instructor and Visual Captain Head with the Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps of Omaha, Nebraska from 1981 until 1993. His duties with the Railmen included coordinating the visual program and drill design.
Al served as the State Marching Band Chairman for the Iowa High School Music Association for 10 years. He also writes Marching Band Drill for several bands each year throughout the Midwest.
Mr. Paulson received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 1987 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has also completed additional studies at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.
Al and his wife, Glenda, have three children, Richie, Telan, and Ali, two cats, one hamster and a rabbit.
Al Dunn - Front Ensamble Director:
Coming soon!
Chad Mason - Percussion Director:
Coming soon!