Kyle Wiechmann
Kyle Wiechmann is excited to be in his fourth year with the Cockrill Middle School team as the head band director. Mr. Wiechmann is a magna cum laude graduate from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a Band concentration. While at North Texas, he was an active member of the Wind Studies and Lab Band programs as a trombone player. Additionally, Mr. Wiechmann was a member of the Green Brigade Marching Band as a marching member for two years, and a student staff member/instructor for one year. Mr. Wiechmann credits the following professors and mentors from UNT as influences in his career: Dr. Nicholas Williams, Mr. Dennis Fisher, Mr. Tony Baker, Dr. Donna Emmanuel, and Dr. Nathan Kruse.
Prior to teaching at Cockrill Middle School, Mr. Wiechmann served as the head band Director at Ford Middle School in Allen. At Ford, he was the lead teacher of the Honor Band, the Concert Band and team taught the Symphonic Band. He was also in charge of coordinating a beginner system spread across six different elementary campuses. While under his direction, the Ford Bands received program wide Sweepstakes ratings at UIL concert and sight reading as well as numerous first divisions in other performances. Students also saw great individual success at the district and All-Region level. Mr. Wiechmann was named a Life-Time Membership Award winner by the Ford PTA in 2019.
Mr. Wiechmann spent many years of his career in Dallas ISD, where he was the inaugural director of Ann Richards Middle School. The band program quickly grew under his direction to over 350 members while also becoming a Sweepstakes winning program. During his time in Dallas, he served the music educators of Dallas ISD as the Secretary of the Dallas Music Educators Association.
Mr. Wiechmann was very active in the Drum and Bugle Corps activity. He spent 3 years touring the country, performing nearly every night as a member of the Madison Scouts from Madison, WI. Mr. Wiechmann continued to be involved with drum corps as an instructor, as he served on the brass staff of Spirit of Atlanta from Atlanta, GA. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, the Association of Texas Professional Educators and the International Trombone Association.
Mr. Wiechmann lives in McKinney, TX with his wife, son, and daughter. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities and used to be a competitive amateur triathlete, having won short distance course podium spots as well as completing a Half Ironman distance event. During his free time he can be found outside being active or making some sort of barbeque on his grill.
Prior to teaching at Cockrill Middle School, Mr. Wiechmann served as the head band Director at Ford Middle School in Allen. At Ford, he was the lead teacher of the Honor Band, the Concert Band and team taught the Symphonic Band. He was also in charge of coordinating a beginner system spread across six different elementary campuses. While under his direction, the Ford Bands received program wide Sweepstakes ratings at UIL concert and sight reading as well as numerous first divisions in other performances. Students also saw great individual success at the district and All-Region level. Mr. Wiechmann was named a Life-Time Membership Award winner by the Ford PTA in 2019.
Mr. Wiechmann spent many years of his career in Dallas ISD, where he was the inaugural director of Ann Richards Middle School. The band program quickly grew under his direction to over 350 members while also becoming a Sweepstakes winning program. During his time in Dallas, he served the music educators of Dallas ISD as the Secretary of the Dallas Music Educators Association.
Mr. Wiechmann was very active in the Drum and Bugle Corps activity. He spent 3 years touring the country, performing nearly every night as a member of the Madison Scouts from Madison, WI. Mr. Wiechmann continued to be involved with drum corps as an instructor, as he served on the brass staff of Spirit of Atlanta from Atlanta, GA. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, the Association of Texas Professional Educators and the International Trombone Association.
Mr. Wiechmann lives in McKinney, TX with his wife, son, and daughter. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities and used to be a competitive amateur triathlete, having won short distance course podium spots as well as completing a Half Ironman distance event. During his free time he can be found outside being active or making some sort of barbeque on his grill.
Matthew Harp
Matthew Harp is in his twentieth year of teaching, and this is his fifteenth year at Cockrill Middle School. He began teaching in McKinney ISD as a private lessons teacher and taught at Faubion Middle School for before opening Cockrill Middle School with Gary Williams in 2008.
At Cockrill Middle School, Mr. Harp conducts the Symphonic Band and assists with the Honors Band and the Concert Band. He also teaches beginning oboe, bassoon, tuba, euphonium, and horn. His bands have consistently earned superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest as well as other festivals and contests. Mr. Harp is also the coach for the UIL Music Memory team at Cockrill.
Mr. Harp earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 2002 from Stephen F. Austin State University where he studied with Fred Allen, Brian Britt, and Charles Gavin. He has also taught at numerous band camps over the years. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
When he's not teaching, Mr. Harp enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching the Dallas Stars and anything related to Star Wars. He is married to his wife, Rachelle, who is a writer and teaches ELAR at Dowell MS in McKinney. They are proud parents of their daughter, Margaret, age 9 and son, Luke who is 2 years old.
At Cockrill Middle School, Mr. Harp conducts the Symphonic Band and assists with the Honors Band and the Concert Band. He also teaches beginning oboe, bassoon, tuba, euphonium, and horn. His bands have consistently earned superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest as well as other festivals and contests. Mr. Harp is also the coach for the UIL Music Memory team at Cockrill.
Mr. Harp earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 2002 from Stephen F. Austin State University where he studied with Fred Allen, Brian Britt, and Charles Gavin. He has also taught at numerous band camps over the years. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
When he's not teaching, Mr. Harp enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching the Dallas Stars and anything related to Star Wars. He is married to his wife, Rachelle, who is a writer and teaches ELAR at Dowell MS in McKinney. They are proud parents of their daughter, Margaret, age 9 and son, Luke who is 2 years old.
Marshall Mixon
Marshall Mixon is a recent Summa Cum Laude Music Education and Oboe Performance graduate from Texas Tech University. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Mixon had the opportunity to be a member of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, the Lubbock Chamber Orchestra, and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Sarah McKoin. He also served as a drum major for the Goin' Band from Raiderland in his last two years.
Mr. Mixon holds professional relations with the Texas Music Educator’s Association, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, the Theta Kappa chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Society, and the Alpha Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi - where he served as the Vice President for Membership.
Mr. Mixon is coming up on his second wedding anniversary this year, and enjoys hiking, coffee, and cooking in his free time. He is incredibly excited to continue into his first full year as part of the team at Cockrill Middle School.
Mr. Mixon holds professional relations with the Texas Music Educator’s Association, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, the Theta Kappa chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Society, and the Alpha Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi - where he served as the Vice President for Membership.
Mr. Mixon is coming up on his second wedding anniversary this year, and enjoys hiking, coffee, and cooking in his free time. He is incredibly excited to continue into his first full year as part of the team at Cockrill Middle School.