Band
Music. It's a subject that prepares students for life.
Eagle Band notes and information
The Austin Academy Band program has over 215 students participating in daily band classes ranging in ability from beginning to advanced. Students begin their instrumental instruction in the sixth grade. Seventh and eighth grade students are either placed in Honors or Symphonic bands through an audition process. In addition to Symphonic and Honors Band, seventh and eighth graders may also participate in Pep Band and Jazz Band. Austin Academy is proud to have the largest number of band students selected to participate in the Garland All-District Band and Region III All-Region Band for the past three years.
Over the years, the Austin Academy Honors Band has won numerous awards including sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest and various festivals throughout the Dallas area. In 1998, the Honors Band was 4th runner-up in the CC Middle School State Honor Band Competition. In 2012, Honors Band was a finalist in the CC Middle School State Honor Band Competition. Our band finished 9th place overall in the state.
Austin's two Jazz bands were created to introduce students to jazz fundamentals and provide an outlet for creative expression. Jazz I and Jazz II meet outside the normal school day for two hours a week. Jazz II serves as a training group for potential Jazz I students. Both Bands consistently earn superior ratings at the TCU Jazz Festival. Jazz I has Performed in New York, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Reno. In 2022, Jazz I was the invited middle school jazz band for the The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL.
Meet your band directors
Head Band Director
Shane Shinsato is currently in his 32nd year of music education in Texas. He received his music degree from Baylor University where he studied saxophone with Dr. Michael Jacobson. Mr. Shinsato has taught band in Ferris, Midland and Harlingen where he was the Director of Bands at Harlingen South High School. While at South his bands have received, many accolades including 5 appearances at the Texas State Marching contest, and being named a UIL Honor Band Finalist in 2006. His professional associations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Jazz Educators Association and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.
Mr. Shinsato has been teaching leadership and Drum Major camps at UT Arlington, McAllen, UT El Paso, and Raymondville. He has had the privilege of being a clinician for Region bands in McAllen, El Paso, and San Antonio. He served as Region 28 Vice-President for three years and UIL Executive Secretary for one. Mr. Shinsato has played with numerous professional groups including the Harry Betancourt Orchestra, Corpus Christi Wind Symphony, the Myron Floren Band, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Dean Canty Orchestra, Cab Calloway Band and the Spinners.
Assistant Band Director
Joel Ramirez is excited to be entering his 4th year of teaching! Before coming to Garland ISD, Mr. Ramirez taught at Mabank ISD as their Director of Intermediate and Jazz Bands for three years. He is a native East Texan, but has been a DFW transplant since 2017. Mr. Ramirez is a proud graduate of the University of North Texas, where he earned a Bachelors of Music in Music Education, with a Concentration in Trombone. During his time at UNT, Mr. Ramirez participated in a plethora of ensembles such as: The Green Brigade Marching Band and Pep Bands, The BBQ Trombone Quartet, The 2 O’Clock Lab Band, and the Wind Ensemble. An avid performer, he continues to make music around the DFW Metroplex in community bands and rock groups. Additionally, he is a life-long learner and a member of TMEA, TBA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
X (Formally known as Twitter): @aae_band
Harvard University
“The arts are clearly an integral part of life at Harvard and Radcliffe, important for their value to the college environment and also for the potential they provide for lifelong enrichment. In addition to academic criteria, therefore, we always consider extracurricular talents and personal strengths when we evaluate a candidate’s credentials. We look for the students whose previous participation in the arts shows that they can make a substantial contribution to our community.”
William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions