Band - Whitney Independent School District

Check out how learning to play a musical instrument changes your child's brain!
Acceptance into many university graduate programs is enhanced by experience in music. Engineering schools prefer it and a prestigious medical school listed it as a requirement for admission.
"A recent study of an expansive U.S. Department of Education database of over one thousand communities spanning the past decade showed that students who were involved in the music and arts education by the tenth grade performed significantly better on standardized tests, reading proficiency, and math proficiency."
"Music students out-perform non-music students on achievement tests in reading and math. Because of their study of music, their skills are better at reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall, and concentration."
"A research team (University of California – Irvine) exploring the link between music and intelligence reports that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills necessary for learning math and science. After six months of lessons, those children who received the music training performed 34% higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than the others. These findings indicate that music uniquely enhances higher brain functions required for mathematics, science, and engineering."

Ms. Stormy Semich

Director of Bands

Ms. Semich is in her 7th year of teaching and her first year at Whitney ISD as Director of Bands. Her duties include directing the HS Marching Band and HS Symphonic Band, assisting with the MS Symphonic Band, and team-teaching the MS Concert Band and Beginner Classes.

Prior to her appointment at Whitney ISD, Ms. Semich was formerly the assistant director at Valley Mills ISD (2017-2020) and then served as Director of Bands (2020-2023). During her time at Valley Mills, the group earned several accolades, including 3 UIL State Marching Band Championship Finalist appearances, was runner-up in 2017, and was the State Champion for Class 2A in 2018. They also boasted several caption awards at festivals as well as several UIL Sweepstakes Awards.

Ms. Semich is a graduate of Lamar University (2017), where she was heavily involved in the Showcase of Southeast Texas Marching Band, the Lamar University Wind Ensemble, and the Lamar University Honors Clarinet Quartet. She was an active member of Tau Beta Sigma and the National Association of Future Music Educators. She has performed at TMEA as part of a featured performing ensemble and has performed at NRG Stadium for the Houston Texans.

Ms. Semich is an active member of the Texas Music Educator's Association, the Texas Bandmaster's Association, the Association of Texas Small School Bands, Women Band Directors International, Tau Beta Sigma, and Young Band Directors of Texas.

Mr. Mike Wilson

Asst. Director of Bands

Mr. Wilson has been the Assistant Band Director for Whitney ISD since 2020. Mr. Wilson's duties include directing the Whitney Big Blue Jazz Band & Whitney Middle School Symphonic Band, along with team-teaching the WHS Marching Band, WMS Concert Band, and Beginner Classes

Prior to joining the Whitney Band, Mr. Wilson was the Head Band Director for Safford USD in Safford Arizona from 2017 to 2020. During that time Mr. Wilson took the Safford Marching Band to two state marching competition appearances, for the first time since 2005. Mr. Wilson also grew the high school band program to over 100 members.

Mr. Wilson is a graduate of Ohio University where he earned his Bachelor of Music in 2016. While studying at Ohio University Mr. Wilson was a member of The Ohio University Marching 110, Symphony Band, and Tuba & Euphonium Ensemble. He has performed in Dublin, IRE, Rome ITL, Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Exhibition, Midwest Regional Tuba & Euphonium Conferences, International Tuba & Euphonium Conference, and the following NFL Stadiums: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and Pittsburg Steelers.

Mike Wilson was a member of the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in 2010 and 2011. He is also a member of the National Association for Music Educators, Arizona Music Educators Association, Arizona Band Director Organization, International Tuba & Euphonium Association, and is an alumni of the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity.

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The Power of Music

Check out these amazing Music Research Facts about the Power of Music and what it can do for young people.

Meet the Directors

Ms. Stormy Semich

Director of Bands

Mr. Mike Wilson

Asst. Director of Bands

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