Photos from the annual March-A-Thon held August 6 in Steiner Ranch.

By LYNETTE HAALAND

Four Points News

Katie VanDoren is the new director of bands at Vandegrift, where she has been part of the program since 2014

In May, former Viper band director Mike Howard announced that he accepted the position of Fine Arts Director for Leander ISD.

Howard started the Vandegrift Band program when the school opened with only about 40 students. It now has over 400 students and is one of the best, most respected, and highly regarded high school band programs in the nation. 

“For those who don’t have the pleasure of knowing him, he is an incredible teacher, a wonderful example, an amazing leader, and just an exceptional human being,” according to one post on the txbands.com social media forum.  

VanDoren now takes the helm. Originally from Cedar Park, VanDoren graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Before VHS, she worked at Round Rock HS.

Additionally VanDoren is currently the assistant brass caption head of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. Prior to this position, she spent 12 years with Carolina Crown. She joined the brass staff in 2013, after marching with the corps from 2008-2012. VanDoren also works with the SASI leadership faculty, a group of current and former teachers dedicated to developing student leaders. Since 2013, she has enjoyed getting to be a part of the “SASI Experience”, an uplifting and empowering environment for both students and staff.

VanDoren is part of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. Her husband Evan is former marching band director at Cedar Park High School and now composes and arranges music for concert and marching bands. The VanDoren’s have a daughter Anna and dog Cooper.