Salvador Gallegos is in his second year as Director Of Bands at Garland High School. Prior to joining the MOB, he spent three years as Associate Band Director at North Garland High School, where he conducted the Wind Symphony and Concert Bands, as well as managed the woodwind caption. Bands under Mr. Gallegos have consistently received Superior ratings. His students have actively been part of the All-State audition process qualifying for region bands and advancing to area. Mr. Gallegos graduated Cum Laude from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he received his Bachelors in Instrumental Music Education. He was a section leader for the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band, principal clarinet for the Wind Ensemble, and principal Bass Clarinet. Before that he attended Richland Community College in Dallas TX, receiving an Associates in Music. Mr. Gallegos student taught under Mark Poole and Christopher Adler at Forney High school and their feeder, Warren Middle School in Forney ISD. A native north Texan, Mr. Gallegos attended Mesquite High School, serving as Drum Major for the Mighty Maroon Band and principal bass clarinet. In his spare time he is an avid dancer with a love for Latin music. He resides in Garland Texas with his beautiful girlfriend Vanessa and their puppy Luna Gallegos. He is also a big Dallas Cowboys fan. His teachers include Sharon Deuby (Co Principal of the Dallas Winds) and Dr. Malena McLaren (NSU).

Mr. Cohn graduated from Sam Houston State University in the Spring of 2020 with a bachelors degree in Music Education. During his time studying under Director of Percussion Studies Dr. John Lane, he represented Sam Houston as a performer in a number of ensembles including The Bearkat Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Group, Symphony Orchestra, Steel Band, and the Angry Orange Basketball Band. As a member of these performing ensembles, Mr. Cohn had the opportunity to perform in a number of premiere venues such as the American Bandmasters Association Conference, Percussive Arts Society International Convention Focus Day, Reliant Stadium, and the Woodlands Pavilion. He can also be heard on World Premiere recordings of pieces composed by Kyle Kindred, Gabriella Frank, and Monica Pearce, as well as his own compositions and collaborations. He completed his final semester at Sam Houston by student teaching at Keller High School and Indian Springs Middle School in Keller ISD under the instruction of Mark McGahey and David Puckett.

As a member of a military family, Mr. Cohn lived in many different places before his family settled in College Station, Texas, where he was also an active member and leader of the College Station High School Band program. Once graduated from high school and pursuing his Music Education degree, Mr. Cohn was heavily involved in teaching Percussion at College Station High School, College Station Middle School, and Wellborn Middle School as a Percussion Technician and Private Lesson instructor. In his 4 years teaching in College Station, Mr. Cohn’s students received numerous caption awards during their marching seasons, advanced through the TMEA All-Region process, and received outstanding ratings at the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest. He also held the position of Front Ensemble Coordinator for the inaugural season in 2019 for Brazos Valley Independent Indoor Percussion. Mr. Cohn is currently a member of Texas Music Educators Association and the Percussive Arts Society.

When he is not teaching, Mr. Cohn enjoys spending quality time with his beautiful wife, Taylor Michelle at their residence in Dallas, as well as the rest of his family in Madisonville, Texas. Mr. Cohn is also an avid soccer fan, always cheering on the United States National Soccer teams.

Ryan Oster is from Copperas Cove, Texas and graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Music Education. While at UNT, he was in numerous concert ensembles, athletic bands, the afro-cuban ensemble, the 7 and 9 o’clock lab bands, and the 8 o’clock steel drum ensemble. He also served as coordinator and section leader in the Green Brigade marching band and conductor of the basketball and volleyball athletic bands. While at UNT, Ryan has taught at various High Schools in the North Texas area, as well as completed his student teaching in Frisco ISD.

Ryan’s DCI affiliations include performing in the Madison Scouts (2015-2017) and being a visual staff member with the Madison Scouts (2017-2019), the Crossmen (2019-2020), and the Guardians (2020-Present). In WGI, Ryan has worked as a music/visual educator with Azle High School Indoor Winds and Percussion (2017-2019), Vigilantes Indoor Percussion (2017-2019), and Rhythmic Force Percussion (2019-Present).

In his spare time he loves to spend time with family and friends, go outdoors, play video games, and travel. Ryan is excited to start his new journey with the Garland High School Band!

Marvin Alexander is from Tennessee and has a strong background of color guard experience. Marvin has been a performing member in the marching arts since middle school. After graduating high school Marvin had the pleasure of performing with various DCA and WGI independent organizations to his final year competing in world class in 2011. Marvin has served as creative director/program coordinator for many programs across the nation. Marvin loves being able to share his immense passion for the activity with so many different programs, and watch his students progress and grow under his direction.

“ I am a motivator, I truly believe that as an individual you can do anything you set your mind to. I want to give the members the knowledge, beyond how to toss things in the air, but of “self”. The unbelievable power of believing in yourself. This is what I learned from my color guard experience and have taken it with me my whole life. There is no obstacle that I can not overcome, with hard work, dedication, and the help of good friends.”

These are band courses offering a fine arts credit required for graduation. These courses are designed for the advanced instrumental student who has proven through audition the ability to perform at an above average level in the areas of technical ability, sight reading, and audio perception. Students will continue to develop their technical ability and basic musicianship through the rehearsal and performance of the most demanding marching and concert band literature. Performances will include marching band performances, concerts, U.I.L. band contests, and U.I.L. solo and ensemble contest.

These are band courses offering a fine arts credit required for graduation. Students develop an appreciation of good band music and develop advanced instrumental skills through the study, rehearsal, and performance of various types of levels of instrumental music. Students are involved in the rehearsal and performance of medium to difficult band music in the marching band as well as concerts, individual and small ensemble, and U.I.L. events.

These are band courses offering a fine arts credit required for graduation. Concert band is open to band students with some previous experience in band who desire to improve their abilities in technical, rhythmical, and musical aspects of playing their instruments. Preparations are made in the class for future auditions for more advanced bands as students are ready for these advancements.

These are jazz band courses offering a fine arts credit required for graduation. This performance oriented organization is designed for the advanced musician who is interested in the study and performance of the many forms of jazz. Students must audition for this group and must maintain membership in one of the main band groups for membership in this ensemble. Students should expect to participate in rehearsals and performances outside of the school day. Exceptions may be made for vocalists with approval of the director. Performances will include school and civic functions as well as jazz competitions.

These are music ensemble courses offering a fine arts credit required for graduation. These chamber music groups are designed for the advanced instrumental student who has proven through audition the ability to perform above average on an instrument. Students must maintain membership in either the second band or the first band in order to be eligible for the instrumental ensemble class. The study and performance of various types of instrumental ensembles provide the main focus of this class. These ensembles may participate in U.I.L. contests as well as perform for school and community functions.

These are band courses offering a fine arts credit required for graduation. This course of study is open to band students with some previous experience in band or who wish to begin band for the first time (with approval of the director). This course will prepare students for future auditions for the marching band and honors, symphonic, or concert bands. Emphasis will be on correct embouchure, fingerings, rhythm, and articulations and improvement in technical facility. This band will not normally be a performance group; however, it may perform on some occasions as the director deems desirable.