Meet the CRHS Cougar Band Instrumental Directors!!

 Ray Jones

Email: rayhjones@katyisd.org

Ray Jones is currently the Director of Bands at Cinco Ranch High School.  Responsibilities as Head Director include Directing all aspects of The CRHS Cougar Marching Band, Wind Ensemble in spring and all other teaching and prep-work needed to lead well. Under his direction, Cinco Ranch High School Band ensembles have experienced high levels of success, including a 5th place finish in the highly competitive Area I, Region 23 All State competition in fall 2021. Under his direction, the Wind Ensemble (Cinco Ranch High Schools varsity Concert Band) consistently achieves Sweepstakes in the spring semester (1’s in ever category, the highest rating possible). The students work hard practicing to perform high level musical compositions, while concurrently having a great overall experience.

Primary Instrument Played: Tuba

Professional History:

Present – Head Band Director of CRHS Cougar Bands, Katy, TX 
2002-2005 Gentry Middle School – Baytown, TX Head Band Director
2000-2002 Lomax Junior High School – La Porte, TX Head Band Director

Education:

1998 University of Southern Mississippi – Hattiesburg, MS Bachelor of Music Education
2000 University of Colorado – Boulder, CO Master of Music

Awards and Honors:

Graduate Assistantship at the University of Colorado
2001 – Guest artist for the International Tuba & Euphonium Conference in Lahti, Finland
2000 – First Prize, International Tuba & Euphonium Conference’s International Quartet Competition, in Regina, Canada
1997 – Winner, University of Southern Mississippi Band Concerto Competition
1997 – First Prize, Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Artist Brass State Level (MS) Competition
1994 member of Brass Theatre with Star of Indiana and the Canadian Brass
1993 Texas All State Band

Performed with the Meridian, Mobile, Boulder and Colorado Symphonies

Hobbies: Staying active, enjoying friends, family, and band fam, running, randomly teaching the family Great Dane, Mabel (Maybeline June) and Chi-weenie, Kenneth Alistair how to “play nice”, and especially working on loving his amazing wife Lesley and namesake son “RayJ”.

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  Rory Davis

Email: roryldavis@katyisd.org

Rory Davis is in his 30th year as a music educator and in his 7th year as Associate Director of CRHS Cougar Bands.  Primary responsibilities include director of the Symphonic Band and Concert 2 ensembles, assisting with all other performing groups within the CRHS Band program.
Mr. Davis received his Bachelors of Music from Sam Houston State University. Prior to his appointment at CRHS, his ensembles have received state and national recognition, including three performance invitations to the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL; Overall Outstanding Band Awards at numerous band festivals, and including consecutive Sweepstakes Awards in the Texas UIL band evaluation for CRJH band from the inception of the program. Additionally, the Cinco Ranch JH Honors Band was a multiple TMEA State Honor Band finalist, including two top five rankings and the program was awarded the awarded the prestigious Sudler Silver Cup by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in recognition of one of the most outstanding junior high band programs in the United States.

Having taught at every level, grades 3-12,  and various populations, Rory realizes his talent is a God given gift and his calling to teach extends beyond the classroom. His life is dedicated to serving and he is actively involved as a worship Pastor/teacher, and is the facilitator for the Fellowship of Christian Musicians Texas (FCM). Mr. Davis maintains a very active clinician and adjudicator schedule throughout the state. His music affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi and The Fellowship of Christian Musicians. He has been married for 25 years to Stephanie and has two children, Noah and Naya.

Primary Instrument Played: Alto Saxophone

Professional History: 

2017 to Present – Associate Director of CRHS Cougar Bands, Cinco Ranch HS
2001 to 2017 – Head Director of CRJH Bands, Cinco Ranch JH
2000 to 2001 – Elkins High School, Ft. Bend ISD, Assistant Band Director
1996 to 2000 – First Colony Middle School, Ft. Bend ISD, Associate Band Director
1994 to 1996 – G.L. Wiley Middle School, Head Director of Bands
1993 to 1994 – Assistant Band Director, Rosebud HS, Rosebud – Lott ISD

Education:

1993 Sam Houston State University, Bachelor of Music in Music Education

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   Danny Rivera

Email: danielrivera@katyisd.org

Mr. Rivera is currently the Assistant Director of CRHS Cougar Bands, emphasis on Drumline (including the Battery and Front Ensemble) during Marching Season, concurrently with directing the Jazz Ensemble, and Concert 1 Band throughout the spring semester. 

Primary Instrument Played: Percussion

Professional History:

July 2011 to Present – Cinco Ranch High School, Katy, Texas, Assistant Director of Bands/Percussion Director
July 2002 to July 2011 – Mayde Creek High School/Mayde Creek Junior High Katy, Texas, Assistant Director of Bands/Percussion Director
July 1998 to July 2002 -Tuloso-Midway High School, Corpus Christi, Texas, Assistant Director of Bands/Percussion Director

Education: 1997 Texas State University, BS Music Education

Hobbies: Spending time with family and dogs, planning to enjoy watching his son perform his senior band year at CRHS, biking during the summer, watching the Houston Astros and Houston Texans play, or any good college football game and doing absolutely nothing when possible.