About
Ryan Agard is a former band director who first opened Dawson High School in Pearland ISD in 2007. Bands under his direction have advanced to the Texas UIL State Marching Band Contest every year possible in his career, and advanced to finals several times. At the time, the Dawson band became the second marching band in the history of Texas to appear at the 4A State Marching Band Contest the very first year they were eligible, doing so with over 65% freshman and sophomore members. Additionally, the Dawson Band finished as high as 7th place in 2013 and even placed 11th in 2009 with their very first senior class. Mr. Agard’s marching bands consistently received superior ratings at every UIL contest they attended for all 18 years of his classroom teaching career. In just the first year of Dawson’s existence, the Wind Ensemble was named 2nd runner up at the TMEA Honor Band competition, setting the stage for the band to advance to finals 4 more times thereafter. In 2018, the wind ensemble finished first place in the TMEA Area H Honor Band competition in the 6A division. In addition, by 2018 the band program had approximately 100 students place into Region Band (40% of the Dawson band program), along with 38 students that advanced to Area.
Prior to Dawson High School, Mr. Agard was the Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugar Land, Texas for two years where he also led the Honors Band to perform at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in 2006 and 2010. He also led the band to advance to the UIL State Marching Band Contest in 2006. In 2004, he assisted the band to finish 4th at BOA Grand Nationals. He was the co-conductor of the symphony orchestra, having the opportunity to conduct at the Midwest Clinic Band and Orchestra Conference in 2003. Prior to 2006, he was the assistant band director for five years and was named Stephen F. Austin High School New Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Agard completed his Music Education degree at the University of Houston. He studied the saxophone with Dr. Karen Wylie and performed in the Moore’s School of Music Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Eddie Green. In addition, Mr. Agard was a member of the Catalyst Saxophone Quartet, winning several national chamber music competitions including the Coleman Chamber Music Competition and the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.
In 2016 Mr. Agard was inducted into the Alpha Chapter of the International Bandmaster’s Fraternity, Phi Beta Mu. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He has been a presenter at the TMEA convention discussing high school woodwind tips and techniques.
He is an active music clinician, consultant, judge, and the lead student leadership workshop presenter for PBSL and a music coach with Superior Performances. Mr. Agard is also the founder of bNoteable. (www.bNoteable.com)