Gary Faust

Director of Bands

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While serving as Drum Major of the Crockett High School Band in Austin, Texas, Gary Faust was inspired to pursue his career by Ms. Paula Crider.

Mr. Faust received his Bachelor of Music Degree in 1983 from the University of Texas and began his career as the Assistant Band Director at Anderson High School. After two years at Anderson, Mr. Faust served as Graduate Assistant Director of Bands at Northwestern State University of Louisiana where he received his Master of Music degree. Mr. Faust then went on to serve as Head Band Director at Dobie Middle School, Reagan, Georgetown, Mesquite and Travis High Schools and is most proud of the success he and the students enjoyed at each of those schools. While at Mesquite High School for 10 years, Mr. Faust took one of the smallest and weakest 5a band programs in the Metroplex and built it into one of the largest, most successful, and most dynamic programs in that area and in the state. Not only did the Mesquite Band enjoy success at all UIL events but was very successful at every local marching festival and at national music festivals in Louisiana, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida and South Padre Island. In addition to the groups success at Mesquite, the individual students were highly successful at All State auditions and State Solo and Ensemble. Mr. Faust is particularly proud of the number of students majoring in music at many great music schools throughout the nation and many of these students are on full scholarship.

Before arriving at Akins, Mr. Faust was a full time student at the University of Texas, pursuing his PhD in Education Administration and was also the Head Band Director at Travis High School. While maintaining a 4.0 average academically, he also was able to lead the Travis Band to its first ever Area Marching Advancement, its first Sweepstakes in over 20 years and its first All State Student in many years.

Mr. Faust is really excited to be the Head Band Director at Akins High School. He plans for the Akins band to compete for and achieve the highest honors for any high school band in the nation and together, the students, staff and parents are accomplishing just that! Go BIG and BOLD!

David Waters

Assistant Director

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David Waters is presently associate band director at Akins high school, he comes our way from El Paso TX, were he attended the University of Texas at El Paso earning his bachelors degree in Music Education. While in college, Mr. Waters performed with Utep's top wind ensembles plus traveled Europe with Utep's top Jazz Band.

Mr. Waters first teaching appointment was Ranchland Middle School were he developed 6 th grade beginning band, middle school concert bands plus jazz band. In 1995 Mr Waters became associate band director for Bel Air high school in El Paso, by 1996 he had become Head Band Director for Bel Air were he lead Bel Air to its 1st ever UIL State 5A Marching contest in 2004 and 2006, its 1st UIL Sweepstakes in 22 years.

Mr. Waters has been a Presenter at Texas Bandmasters Association Convention and is a active concert band adjudicator, his marching bands have been BOA Southern Region Finalist and Grand Champions at the TOB and ZIA marching festivals, his Wind Ensemble has been a 9 time 5A UIL Sweepstakes recipient and Mr. Waters jazz program grew from 1 jazz band to 5 full performing jazz ensembles.

Andrew Golden

Assistant Director

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Andrew Golden is currently an Assistant Band Director at W. Charles Akins High School. He graduated in May of 2010 with a degree in Music Education from Texas State University in San Marcos. At Texas State he was privileged to study with many other wonderful future music educators as well as learn from Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt, Dr. Robin Stein, and numerous other brilliant professors. He studied horn with Mr. Steve Hager and composition from Dr. Russell Riepe and Richard Hall.

Mr. Golden completed his field based block experience at Paredes Middle School and learned a great deal from Richard Davis, Shaun Danford, and Chris Sawyer. He also had a fantastic student teaching experience with Debbie Tannert at Mills Elementary and Mandi McCasland at Gorzycki Middle School.

Mr. Golden was a marching technician at Vista Ridge High School in Leander ISD from 2006 through 2008 and in 2008 he began teaching both marching band and horn lessons at Akins High School. He also was privileged to march with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2007 as a baritone.

Mr. Golden is looking forward to working with the amazing and brilliant students in the Akins Band and incredibly excited to continue learning from them, Gary Faust, and David Waters. He cannot imagine a better place to begin his career than with the faculty and students at a school with such great determination and potential. Go Big and Bold!