Gary Williams
Gary Williams is the head band director at Cockrill Middle School in McKinney TX where he has been since its inception in 2008. Ensembles under his direction have consistently earned Superior ratings at U.I.L. Concert and Sight-Reading Contests and have been awarded “Best in Class” at festivals around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. In 2015, 2017 and 2019, the Cockrill Middle School Honors Band advanced to the state level of the TMEA Honors Band competition and most recently was named the 2020 TMEA CCC Honor Band. The Cockrill Middle School Honors Band has been named a “National Winner” multiple times in the National Wind Band Honors Project sponsored by Mark of Excellence. In December of 2016, the CMS Honors Band was invited to perform at The 70th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL and in 2018, the John Phillip Sousa Foundation awarded the Cockrill Middle School Band Program the prestigious Sudler Silver Cup.
Prior to his appointment at Cockrill, Mr. Williams taught in Duncanville ISD and Clear Creek ISD. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce where he was a saxophone player in the Wind Ensemble. Mr. Williams was elected Middle School Chairman for Region 20 and Region 25, the latter being a position he still serves today. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, TMAA, and Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Williams was named the 2016 Teacher of the Year for Cockrill Middle School and was named 2nd runner up for all of McKinney ISD.
Mr. Williams resides in McKinney with his wife Brittney, who is the head band director at Evans Middle School and their two kids, Olivia Paige and Joshua Grant.
Prior to his appointment at Cockrill, Mr. Williams taught in Duncanville ISD and Clear Creek ISD. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce where he was a saxophone player in the Wind Ensemble. Mr. Williams was elected Middle School Chairman for Region 20 and Region 25, the latter being a position he still serves today. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, TMAA, and Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Williams was named the 2016 Teacher of the Year for Cockrill Middle School and was named 2nd runner up for all of McKinney ISD.
Mr. Williams resides in McKinney with his wife Brittney, who is the head band director at Evans Middle School and their two kids, Olivia Paige and Joshua Grant.
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 5.
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 5.
Robin Winter
Robin Winter joined the Cockrill MS Band team in August, 2016, making this her twenty-first year of teaching middle school band in Texas. Prior to Cockrill MS, Mrs. Winter taught in Round Rock ISD, Plano ISD and Prosper 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 two daughters were newborn.
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 Round Rock ISD and Plano 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. Having met at the University of Texas School of Music, Robin and her husband, Bill, recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. Although he's a fabulous trumpeter, Bill works at Slalom Consulting as a Principal Consultant. Robin and Bill have two beautiful girls: Hannah, an honor student at Texas A&M studying Biochemistry and Genetic (and plays her alto sax in the A&M concert ensembles), and Abigail, a Music Education percussion student at the University of Houston and drumline member for the Spirit of Houston. 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 Round Rock ISD and Plano 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. Having met at the University of Texas School of Music, Robin and her husband, Bill, recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. Although he's a fabulous trumpeter, Bill works at Slalom Consulting as a Principal Consultant. Robin and Bill have two beautiful girls: Hannah, an honor student at Texas A&M studying Biochemistry and Genetic (and plays her alto sax in the A&M concert ensembles), and Abigail, a Music Education percussion student at the University of Houston and drumline member for the Spirit of Houston. The proud parents travel to College Station and Houston for as many concerts as possible.