Mike Howard
Mike Howard (Austin, TX) serves as Deputy Director of the Texas Music Educators Association. Prior to this, he spent 22 years in public education, most recently in Leander ISD as Director of Fine Arts and Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School. Under Howard’s direction, the Vandegrift Wind Ensemble was selected as the 2019 TMEA 6A State Honor Band and was chosen in 2021 as a featured ensemble at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. The Vandegrift Concert Program was also the recipient of the 2020 Sudler Flag of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. At Vandegrift High School, Howard’s marching bands have been recognized with several high honors, including winning the 2019 BOA Grand National Championships, four times as a BOA Regional Champion, and UIL State Marching Contest gold, silver, and bronze medals. The Vandegrift High School Marching Band was also awarded the Sudler Shield by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2019. Prior to his time in Leander ISD, Howard was an assistant band director in Katy ISD.
Howard has served music education through state and local leadership roles including TMEA State Band Chair, TMAA Association Concert Band Vice-President, TMEA Region 32 Band Division Chair and TMEA Area E Band Division Chair. He also is an active clinician and serves as an adjudicator for UIL, Bands of America, and Drum Corps International.