Terence GortonDirector of Bands
[email protected] Terence Gorton is Head Band Director at Katy High School, and Director of Bands. In addition to supervising all aspects of the program, he directs the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Musical Pit Orchestra and The Katy High School Marching Band. The ensembles under his direction have received consistent First Division ratings at contests and have won many “Outstanding Band in Class” awards at Regional Festivals. In 2013, the Katy High School Jazz Band became the first ever Invited High School Jazz Band to play at the TMEA convention in San Antonio. Also in 2013, the Katy High School Musical Pit Orchestra won the Tommy Tune “Outstanding Orchestra” Award for their performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Louisiana State University and his Master’s Degree in Music (Instrumental Conducting) from the University of Southern Mississippi. While at LSU he studied Conducting with Frank Wickes, Instrumental Music Education with Dr. James Bio, Saxophone with Griffin Campbell, and Jazz Improvisation from Dr. William Grimes and the late great Alvin Batiste of Southern University. At USM Terence was a Conducting Graduate Assistant under the direction of Dr. Thomas Fraschillo and studied Jazz Improve and Saxophone with Larry Panella. He is a Member of the Texas Jazz Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Terry is married to Cynthia Advincula Gorton, Assistant Band Director at Katy Junior High. Together they have a son, Miles, and a daughter, Evie. |