Mrs. Amber Moore, Director of Bands
Amber Moore joined the Abilene High School Band Staff as Director of Bands in May of 2023. Prior to her gaining her position at Abilene High, Mrs. Moore was the Director of Bands at Mann Middle School and Associate Director of Bands at Rice Middle School in Plano, Texas. In her 4-year tenure at Mann and 6-year tenure at Rice, bands under her direction earned numerous UIL "Sweepstakes" awards as well as first-division and Best in Class recognition at several North Texas music festivals including the Peak Music Festival contest at the Eisemann Center and the Beach Within Reach/North Texas Festival of Distinction contest in Fort Worth. Mrs. Moore is a graduate of Greenwood High School in Midland where she was a four-year ATSSB All State hornist, selected as a TSSEC outstanding soloist and was awarded the prestigious John Phillip Sousa award. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Stephen F. Austin State University with her Bachelor of Music degree. During her time at SFA, Mrs. Moore participated in numerous ensembles and was named principal horn of the SFA Wind Ensemble, Orchestra of the Pines and SFA Opera Orchestra. She completed her Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies degree and Principals certification from the University of Texas at Arlington. Mrs. Moore's professional affiliations include the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the Texas Bandmasters Association. She is an active clinician and adjudicator in Texas and was an invited presenter on beginning French Horn pedagogy for the 2018 Texas Bandmasters Association Annual Convention in San Antonio. In 2023, Mrs. Moore was named the Abilene Education Foundation's Fine Arts Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Moore lives in Abilene with her husband, Nathan, their daughter Evelyn, and their cats, Belle and Leah. She enjoys spending time with family, baking, participating in sports and taking Disney vacations. |
Ms. Alanna Curley, Associate Director of Bands
Alanna Curley joined the Abilene High School Band staff as Associate Director of Bands in 2021. Prior to gaining her position at AHS, Ms. Curley served as Associate Director of Bands at Craig Middle School in Abilene, TX. She graduated with honors from Abilene Christian University with her Bachelor of Music. During her time at ACU, she was a member of various university ensembles including principal clarinet of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene and the ACU Wind Ensemble for four years. She also had the pleasure of serving as Vice President of the Big Purple Marching Band for ACU. Prior to moving to Abilene, Ms. Curley graduated from Flower Mound High School in 2015. She is a member of several professional organisations including TMEA, TCTA, ICA, and Mu Phi Epsilon. While not at school, Ms. Curley enjoys traveling, hiking, lots of coffee, and games nights with loved ones. |
Mr. Drew Young, Assistant Director of Bands / Percussion Director
A proud product of Abilene ISD, Mr. Young graduated from AHS in 2016. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Abilene Christian University. During his time at ACU, Mr. Young performed with the Big Purple Marching Band, the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, the Fall Homecoming Pit Orchestra, ACU Opera, and the Abilene Civic Orchestra. Mr. Young served as the Battery Section Leader for the Big Purple Marching Band for three years where he received the Director’s Award and the Tops in Musicianship award. Mr. Young was also the recipient of the Outstanding Jazz Musician Award in 2020. Outside of the band hall, Mr. Young enjoys eating local food and listening to local music with his wife, Kayla. |
Ms. Heather Hyde Wargo - Color Guard Director
A 2003 Eagle Band Alumni, Ms. Hyde Wargo began teaching in 2005 while completing her undergraduate degree in Music Education at McMurry University. Following graduation she completed graduate trumpet performance studies at George Mason University, and a Masters in Music from Tarleton State University. She has previously served as an associate band and guard director in Houston, Texas and Washington, D.C. Ms. Hyde Wargo’s family includes her spouse Ryan, one child, and two very spoiled cats. |