Garth Gundersen currently serves as the Assistant Director of Fine Arts for Killeen ISD. In this position, Mr. Gundersen oversees the instrumental music programs in Killeen ISD. His duties include supervising band and orchestra programs at 6 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 31 elementary schools throughout Killeen ISD.
Prior to this appointment in Killeen, Mr. Gundersen spent 26 years teaching bands in the greater Austin area. Mr. Gundersen served as the Assistant Band Director at Westlake HS (1993 – 1996) and Stephen F. Austin HS (1998 -1999). He served as the Head Band Director of the W. Charles Akins HS (1999 – 2002); Robert E Hendrickson HS (2003 –2018); and James Bowie HS (2018 – 2022). During his tenure at these schools, the bands performed at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, the Midwest Convention in Chicago, the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, the ABC Boscov’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, to name a few. Under his direction, the bands were consistent Bands of America Regional, Super Regional Finalists and Champions; and these bands were consistent UIL sweepstakes winners and participants at the UIL State Marching Band Championships.
Mr. Gundersen earned his master’s degree in Music Education and Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin where he studied with Jerry Junkin, Bob Duke, and Paula Crider. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Louisiana State University, where he studied with Frank Wickes and was the drum major of the Golden Band from Tiger Land.
Mr. Gundersen is a frequent adjudicator and clinician. His professional affiliationsinclude TMEA, TBA, Phi Beta Mu, TMAA and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Prior to this appointment in Killeen, Mr. Gundersen spent 26 years teaching bands in the greater Austin area. Mr. Gundersen served as the Assistant Band Director at Westlake HS (1993 – 1996) and Stephen F. Austin HS (1998 -1999). He served as the Head Band Director of the W. Charles Akins HS (1999 – 2002); Robert E Hendrickson HS (2003 –2018); and James Bowie HS (2018 – 2022). During his tenure at these schools, the bands performed at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, the Midwest Convention in Chicago, the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, the ABC Boscov’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, to name a few. Under his direction, the bands were consistent Bands of America Regional, Super Regional Finalists and Champions; and these bands were consistent UIL sweepstakes winners and participants at the UIL State Marching Band Championships.
Mr. Gundersen earned his master’s degree in Music Education and Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin where he studied with Jerry Junkin, Bob Duke, and Paula Crider. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Louisiana State University, where he studied with Frank Wickes and was the drum major of the Golden Band from Tiger Land.
Mr. Gundersen is a frequent adjudicator and clinician. His professional affiliationsinclude TMEA, TBA, Phi Beta Mu, TMAA and Pi Kappa Lambda.