Who We Are

The city of Round Rock sits just to the north of Austin, Texas and has been a booming growth center since the 1980s. The school district has accommodated this by increasing from one high school in the late 1970s to five full size comprehensive high school campuses by 2010.

The Dragon Band is one of the largest student organizations on the campus of Round Rock High School. The school is comprised of over 3,400 students and is classified as a Texas 6A school. The band program typically accounts for 10% of the campus student population.

1939-1940
The Round Rock Band of 1939-1940
The Dragon Band at the 1957 Taylor, TX Christmas Parade

Round Rock schools are over 100 years old, having been founded in 1913. That makes Round Rock High School one of the oldest public schools in central Texas.

The Dragon Band performs at the Taylor, Texas Christmas Parade on December 5th, 1957

The Dragon Band Boosters play an integral part of the band’s success and the community is extremely supportive of the band program and the school as a whole.

On the field at the old high school campus where C.D. Fulkes Middle School now stands.  Circa 1964

Students in the Dragon Band typically attend one of our three outstanding middle school feeder campuses; Chisholm Trail, Cedar Valley and Walsh Middle Schools

The band program boasts two marching bands, four concert bands, jazz band, three winter guards and two full orchestras as well as numerous instrumental chamber ensembles. The students are highly active in Texas Music Educators Association contests and our own Young Artist Competition. The Varsity Marching Band is well known as one of the strongest in the United States.

The Round Rock Band around 1974 in Dragon Stadium

Dragon Band

TMEA All State Musicians

  • 1970

    Jill Bretdhauer, F Horn, Concert Band

    1971

    Jill Bredthauer, F Horn Symphonic Band

    1972

    Mark Fellows, Tenor Trombone, Concert Band

    1978

    Kathy Grimmer, Oboe, Symphonic Band

    1979

    William Reeder, Bassoon, Youth Orchestra

    Kathy Grimmer, Oboe, Symphony Orchestra

    John Alan Butemeyer, Tuba, Concert Band

  • 1980

    William Reeder, Bassoon, Symphonic Band

    Robby Jones, F Horn, Symphonic Band

    Kent Cochrum, Tenor Trombone, Youth Orchestra

    Terry Akin, Euphonium, Concert Band

    Donna Helfrich, Percussion, Youth Orchestra

    1981

    Lucy Konop, Flute, Concert Band

    Alan Olson, Bb Clarinet, Symphonic Band

    Vivian Douglas, F Horn, Concert Band

    Kent Cochrum, Tenor Trombone, Symphonic Band

    Wayne Roberts, Bass Trombone, Concert Band

    Eric Welch, Euphonium, Symphonic Band

    Mike Hilsabeck, Euphonium, Symphonic Band

    Donna Helfrich, Percussion, Symphony Orchestra

    1982

    Kimberley Pence, Flute, Concert Band

    Kelly Drifmeyer, F Horn, Concert Band

    Eric Gifford, Tenor Trombone, Symphonic Band

    1983

    Kelly Drifmeyer, F Horn, Symphonic Band

    David O’Connor, Euphonium, Concert Band

    1984

    Gary Landry, Bass Clarinet, Symphonic Band

    Kelley Jones, Contra Bassoon, Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestra

    Kelly Drifmeyer, F Horn, Symphony Orchestra

    Eric Gifford, Tenor Trombone, Symphony Orchestra

    1985

    Kelly Drifmeyer, F Horn, Symphony Orchestra

    Jeff Harrison, Tenor Trombone, Concert Band

    Kevin Landry, Percussion, Symphonic Band

    1986

    Phillip Barker, Bassoon, Symphony Orchestra

    Paul Dixon, F Horn, Philharmonic Orchestra

    Mark Barker, F Horn, Philharmonic Orchestra

    Timothy Combs, Bass Trombone, Jazz Ensemble

    Kevin Landry, Percussion, Symphony Orchestra

    Ron Ballard, Percussion, Symphonic Band

    1987

    Phillip Barker, Bassoon, Concert Band

    Mark Barker, F Horn, Philharmonic Orchestra

    1988

    Phillip Barker, Bassoon, Philharmonic Orchestra

    Paul Dixon, F Horn, Symphony Orchestra

    1989

    Paul Dixon, F Horn, Symphony Orchestra

  • 1990

    Mark O’Connor, Tenor Sax, Jazz Ensemble

    1991

    Lisa Moore, Flute, Symphonic Band

    John Walters, Bb Clarinet, Concert Band

    Tracye Shaw, Bass Clarinet, Symphonic Band

    Mandy Skidmore, F Horn, Symphonic Band

    1992

    Lisa Moore, Flute, Philharmonic Orchestra

    Amy Jones, Eb Clarinet, Concert Band

    John Walters, Bb Clarinet, Symphonic Band

    Mandy Skidmore, F Horn, Symphony Orchestra

    Sam Sanchez, Percussion, Philharmonic Orchestra

    1993

    Kristi Haverlah, Flute, Concert Band

    Lisa Moore, Flute, Symphonic Band

    Stefan Sanders, Euphonium, Concert Band

    1994

    Kristi Haverlah, Flute, Symphonic Band

    Amy Patalik, English Horn, Symphonic Band

    Stephanie Tomlinson, Bb Clarinet, Concert Band

    Justin Rojo, F Horn, Symphonic Band

    Kenny Bentley, Tuba, Symphonic Band

    1995

    Kristi Haverlah, Flute, Symphonic Band

    Joel Bright, F Horn, Symphony Orchestra

    Justin Rojo, F Horn, Symphonic Band

    1996

    Steven Bose, Bb Clarinet, Concert Band

    Brandy Hernandez, Alto Clarinet, Concert Band

    1997

    Ted Wild, Trumpet, Symphonic Band

    1998

    Steven Bose, Bb Clarinet, Symphony Orchestra

    Beth Lowell, F Horn, Concert Band

    1999

    Brian Janssen, Trumpet, Symphony Orchestra

  • 2000

    Shaunesee Kocen, Piccolo, Concert Band

    Elissa Harbert, Oboe, Symphonic Band

    Beth Lowell, F Horn, Philharmonic Orchestra

    Eric Denman, F Horn, Philharmonic Orchestra

    2001

    Elissa Harbert, Oboe, Symphony Orchestra

    Angelica Nevarez, Bb Clarinet, Concert Band

    2002

    -

    2003

    Kristen Vanderschaaf, Flute, Symphony Orchestra

    Billy Short, Bassoon, Philharmonic Orchestra

    2004

    Kristen Vanderschaaf, Flute, Symphony Orchestra

    2005

    Kristen Vanderschaaf, Flute, Symphony Orchestra

    Billy Short, Bassoon, Symphony Orchestra

    2006

    Billy Short, Contra-Bassoon, Symphony Orchestra

    Zach Graff, Tuba, Symphony Orchestra

    Spencer Garretson, Percussion, Symphony Orchestra

    2007

    Ashty Karim, Bass Clarinet, Symphony Orchestra

    Tommy Perry, Trumpet, Concert Band

    Spencer Garretson, Percussion, Symphony Orchestra

    2008

    Carrie Dillard, Oboe, Concert Band

    2009

    Chloe Swaim, Bb Clarinet, Concert Band

    Charlie Chadwell, Alto Sax, Concert Band

  • 2010

    Charlie Chadwell, Alto Sax, Symphonic Band

    Kyle Blauer, Tenor Trombone, Concert Band

    2011

    Helene Barrera, Bb Clarinet, Concert Band

    Hye-su Min, F Horn, Symphonic Band

    Kyle Blauer, Tenor Trombone, Philharmonic Orchestra

    2012

    -

    2013

    Jessica Treffer, Bb Clarinet, Concert Band

    2014

    Jessica Treffer, Bb Clarinet, Symphonic Band

    Zach Santos, Trumpet, Symphonic Band

    2015

    Tim Michie, Trumpet, Symphonic Band

    Trent Whiteman, Tenor Trombone, Symphonic Band

    2016

    Harrison Williams, Alto Sax, Concert Band

    Curtis McHenry, Tuba, Concert Band

    2017

    Kaylee Pascarella, Flute, Symphonic Band

    Sri Iyengar, Bb Clarinet, Symphonic Band

    Harrison Williams, Alto Sax, Concert Band

    Wesley Given, Trumpet, Symphonic Band

    Kyle Bell, F Horn, Concert Band

    Cassidy Bennett, F Horn, Concert Band

    Zach Shoepe, Tenor Trombone, Symphonic Band

    Alex Deller, Bass Trombone, Concert Band

    2018

    Kaylee Pascarella, Flute, Philharmonic Orchestra

    Charlie Bass, Oboe, Symphonic Band

    Sri Iyengar, Bb Clarinet, Symphonic Band

    Nikk Warren, Contra-Bassoon, Symphony Orchestra

    Simran Shah, F Horn, Concert Band

    Alex Deller, Bass Trombone, Symphonic Band

    Zach Bixler, Tuba, Symphonic Band

    Christian Garcia, Tuba, Concert Band

    2019

    Brianna Del Pozzo, Piccolo, Symphonic Band

    Wesley Given, Trumpet, Symphonic Band

    Simran Shah, F Horn, Concert Band

    Parker Meek, Percussion, Symphony Orchestra

  • 2020

    Siddharth Iyer, Bb Clarinet, Concert Band

    Devin Gonzales, Contra-Bass Clarinet, Symphonic Band

    Dane Moak, F Horn, Symphonic Band

    2021

    Ethan Ortiz, Bass Clarinet, All State

    Somesh Yatham, Percussion, All State

    Parker Meek, Percussion, All State

    2022

    Chaitanya Dandekar, Bass Clarinet, Concert Band

    Nilay Alwar, Bassoon, Concert Band

    Kaden Steele, Bass Trombone, Symphonic Band

    Miles Bintz, Tuba, Symphonic Band

    2023

    Vic Ducea, Bb Clarinet

    Chaitanya Dandekar, Bass Clarinet

    Nilay Alwar, Bassoon

    Mike Popke, Contra-Bassoon

    Andrew Vu, Alto Sax

    Braden Frazer, Trumpet

    Miles Walker, Tenor Trombone

    Hudson Pedrotti, Bass Trombone

    Marek Kania, Euphonium

    Nick Hermoza, Percussion

    2024

    Sydney Park, Flute

    Vic Ducea, Clarinet

    Chaitanya Dandekar, Bass Clarinet

    Avery Calhoun, Bassoon

    Mike Popke, Contra Bassoon

    Andrew Vu, Alto Sax

    Daphne Jones, Tenor Trombone

    Hudson Pedrotti, Bass Trombone

Our Middle School Band Programs

Achievements, Awards and Appearances

  • 2023 UIL STATE MARCHING CONTEST

    13th Place Finalists

    2022 UIL STATE MARCHING CONTEST

    10th Place Finalists

    2021 UIL STATE MARCHING CONTEST

    16th Place

    2018 UIL STATE MARCHING CONTEST

    13th Place

    2016 UIL STATE MARCHING BAND CONTEST

    12th Place Finalists

    2010 UIL STATE MARCHING CONTEST

    16th Place

  • 2023 BOA GRAND NATIONALS

    8th Place Finalists

    2021 BOA GRAND NATIONALS

    16th Place Semifinalists

    2019 BOA GRAND NATIONALS

    90.425 9th Place Finalists

    2017 BOA GRAND NATIONALS

    89.625 12th Place Finalists

    2015 BOA GRAND NATIONALS

    93.0 7th Place Finalists

    2013 BOA GRAND NATIONALS

    93.95, 4th Place Finalists, Outstanding Music in Semifinals.

  • 2023 MIDWEST BAND AND ORCHESTRA CLINIC

    Saxophone Choir directed by Seniors Andrew Vu, Jeffrey Chang, Dylan Deadmon and Prajith Velicheti

    Clarinet Choir directed by Seniors Maanasa Mahesh and Chaitanya Dandekar

    2018 MIDWEST BAND AND ORCHESTRA CLINIC

    Saxophone Choir directed by Senior Govind Joshi

    Symphony Orchestra directed by Sandra Vandertulip and David Mobley

    2016 MIDWEST BAND AND ORCHESTRA CLINIC

    Trombone Choir directed by senior Zach Shoepe

  • 2015 WGI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

    82.45 13th Place Open Class Finals

    2014 WGI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

    90.85, 5th Place Open Class Finals

  • 2024 London Band Week

    Dragon Band is the first invited high school band from the US

    2019 MARK OF EXCELLENCE

    Wind Ensemble-National Winner, David Mobley, director

    Wind Symphony-Citation Winner, Brittany Graham, director

    2017 MARK OF EXCELLENCE

    Wind Ensemble, David Mobley - Commended Winner

    Wind Symphony, John Peterson - Citation Winner

    2015 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES

    126th Annual Rose Parade presented by Honda

    2014 SUDLER SHIELD RECIPIENT

    An International Award Recognizing High School, Youth and International Marching Bands of World Class Excellence

Dragon Band Directors