Kyle Wiechmann
Kyle Wiechmann is excited to join 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 coming in October of 2020, their 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 coming in October of 2020, their 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 fifteenth year of teaching, and this is his twelfth 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, Cowboy 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 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. He is married to his wife, Rachelle, who is a writer and teaches private flute lessons in McKinney. They are proud parents of their daughter, Margaret, age 6 and new son, Luke who is 3 months old.
At Cockrill Middle School, Mr. Harp conducts the Symphonic Band, Cowboy 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 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. He is married to his wife, Rachelle, who is a writer and teaches private flute lessons in McKinney. They are proud parents of their daughter, Margaret, age 6 and new son, Luke who is 3 months old.
Robin Winter
Robin Winter joined the Cockrill MS Band team in 2016, making this her twenty-second year of teaching middle school band in Texas. Mrs. Winter previously taught in Prosper ISD, Plano ISD and Round Rock ISD and served as a head director and an assistant director in various schools. Mrs. Winter left the classroom and gained an additional nine years teaching experience as a private flute specialist when her daughters were younger.
Ensembles under Mrs. Winter’s direction have consistently earned superior ratings at UIL Band Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluations as well as festivals and contests. Other honors include serving as a Student Council sponsor and having these student officers receive state recognition for their innovative leadership. Mrs. Winter was involved in the opening of two new middle schools and the development of their band programs in Plano ISD and Round Rock ISD.
Robin Winter is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin and worked towards music education graduate studies at the University of North Texas. She is a member of the Texas Flute Society and the Texas Music Educators Association. Robin and her husband, Bill, met at the University of Texas School of Music and have been married for 29 years. Although he's a fabulous trumpeter, Bill works at Slalom Consulting as a Principal Business Consultant. Robin and Bill have two beautiful girls: Hannah, studying at Texas A&M in the Honors Genetics program, and Abigail, studying at the University of Houston in Sociology. Both girls still enjoy playing their band instruments in their college ensembles. The proud parents travel to College Station and Houston for as many concerts as possible!
Ensembles under Mrs. Winter’s direction have consistently earned superior ratings at UIL Band Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluations as well as festivals and contests. Other honors include serving as a Student Council sponsor and having these student officers receive state recognition for their innovative leadership. Mrs. Winter was involved in the opening of two new middle schools and the development of their band programs in Plano ISD and Round Rock ISD.
Robin Winter is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin and worked towards music education graduate studies at the University of North Texas. She is a member of the Texas Flute Society and the Texas Music Educators Association. Robin and her husband, Bill, met at the University of Texas School of Music and have been married for 29 years. Although he's a fabulous trumpeter, Bill works at Slalom Consulting as a Principal Business Consultant. Robin and Bill have two beautiful girls: Hannah, studying at Texas A&M in the Honors Genetics program, and Abigail, studying at the University of Houston in Sociology. Both girls still enjoy playing their band instruments in their college ensembles. The proud parents travel to College Station and Houston for as many concerts as possible!