Mike Ary
Born and raised in Broken Arrow, OK, Director of Bands Mike Ary holds a Bachelor degree in Music Education from Oklahoma State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Currently in his 10th year at James E. Taylor High School in Katy, TX, Mr. Ary conducts the Wind Ensemble and Cadet Band, directs all aspects of the marching band, and co-conducts the Symphony Orchestra. Prior to coming to Taylor, Mr. Ary spent 10 years at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, TX, and one year each at Elkins High School in Missouri City, TX and Holliday High School in Holliday, TX.
Under Mr. Ary’s direction, the JET Band has been a consistent UIL sweepstakes winner, has been a five time Bands of America Houston Regional Finalist, was a Semifinalist at the 2018 and 2022 UIL 6A State Marching Contest, has been a consistent UIL Area I Marching Finalist, was a Finalist in the 2016, 2018 and 2022 TMEA Area Honor Band competition, was the first recipient of the KISD Superintendent’s Cup at the 2017 KISD Marching Festival, and was a 2018 TMEA 6A State Honor Band Finalist. During his 3.5 year Assistant Director and 6.5 year Head Director tenure at Clear Brook, Mr. Ary lead the band to 7 BOA Regional Finals, 3 BOA Super-Regional Finals, BOA Grand Nationals Semifinals, WGI Guard Semifinals, WGI Percussion Finals, twice to the UIL State Marching Contest Semifinals, and had many UIL Sweepstakes. At Holliday, he helped lead the band to a BOA regional class championship and a performance at the 2002 Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
Mr. Ary performed on contrabass bugle with the 1995 and 1996 Nite Express Drum and Bugle Corps from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the 1998 and 1999 Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa. He was on the brass staff for the 2001-2004 Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from Bergenfield, New Jersey. In 2016 he joined the brass staff of the 21-time World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from Concord, CA.
Mr. Ary’s music performance and music education mentors include Tom Bennett, Randy Vaughn, John Meehan, Philip Geiger, Jack Farris, Scott Lang, Dr. Joseph Missal, James Morrison, and Joe Exley. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Ary resides in Katy with his wife, Blair Ary, and their awesome daughters Skylar and Sutton.
Currently in his 10th year at James E. Taylor High School in Katy, TX, Mr. Ary conducts the Wind Ensemble and Cadet Band, directs all aspects of the marching band, and co-conducts the Symphony Orchestra. Prior to coming to Taylor, Mr. Ary spent 10 years at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, TX, and one year each at Elkins High School in Missouri City, TX and Holliday High School in Holliday, TX.
Under Mr. Ary’s direction, the JET Band has been a consistent UIL sweepstakes winner, has been a five time Bands of America Houston Regional Finalist, was a Semifinalist at the 2018 and 2022 UIL 6A State Marching Contest, has been a consistent UIL Area I Marching Finalist, was a Finalist in the 2016, 2018 and 2022 TMEA Area Honor Band competition, was the first recipient of the KISD Superintendent’s Cup at the 2017 KISD Marching Festival, and was a 2018 TMEA 6A State Honor Band Finalist. During his 3.5 year Assistant Director and 6.5 year Head Director tenure at Clear Brook, Mr. Ary lead the band to 7 BOA Regional Finals, 3 BOA Super-Regional Finals, BOA Grand Nationals Semifinals, WGI Guard Semifinals, WGI Percussion Finals, twice to the UIL State Marching Contest Semifinals, and had many UIL Sweepstakes. At Holliday, he helped lead the band to a BOA regional class championship and a performance at the 2002 Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
Mr. Ary performed on contrabass bugle with the 1995 and 1996 Nite Express Drum and Bugle Corps from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the 1998 and 1999 Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa. He was on the brass staff for the 2001-2004 Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from Bergenfield, New Jersey. In 2016 he joined the brass staff of the 21-time World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from Concord, CA.
Mr. Ary’s music performance and music education mentors include Tom Bennett, Randy Vaughn, John Meehan, Philip Geiger, Jack Farris, Scott Lang, Dr. Joseph Missal, James Morrison, and Joe Exley. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Ary resides in Katy with his wife, Blair Ary, and their awesome daughters Skylar and Sutton.
2024
- A Corps – Brass, Instructor
2023
- A Corps – Brass, Instructor
2022
- A Corps – Brass, Instructor
2021
- A Corps – Brass, Instructor
2020
- A Corps – Brass, Instructor
2019
- A Corps – Brass, Instructor
2016
- A Corps – Brass, Instructor
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