Mighty Owl Band
Director of Bands
972-494-8492 x. 60076
As a native Oklahoman, Mr. Beshears is a graduate of Midwest City High School where he was
selected as a member of the 1984 McDonald's All-American High School Band and a six time
All-State Band, Orchestra and Jazz member. He graduated Cum laude from Southwestern
Oklahoma University in Weatherford. He began teaching public school instrumental music in 1988 in Altus, Oklahoma as part of THAT ALTUS BAND.
Bob moved to Dallas and got married in 1992 and joined the teaching staff at Garland High School as the first second-assistant in the GISD. He has done graduate studies at North Texas State University, Texas A&M Commerce, Eastfield College, Collin County Community College and Brookhaven Community College. In 2005 Bob received his Masters in Music Education from American Band College (ABC) - Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon. He is listed in Who's Who of American Teachers and Outstanding Young Men of America.
Mr. Beshears and his wife Tina live in Carrollton, where they have two lovely children Brittany
and Allison. His hobbies include riding his motorcycle and driving his 1949 Pontiac.
972-494-8492 x. 60076
As a native Oklahoman, Mr. Beshears is a graduate of Midwest City High School where he was
selected as a member of the 1984 McDonald's All-American High School Band and a six time
All-State Band, Orchestra and Jazz member. He graduated Cum laude from Southwestern
Oklahoma University in Weatherford. He began teaching public school instrumental music in 1988 in Altus, Oklahoma as part of THAT ALTUS BAND.
Bob moved to Dallas and got married in 1992 and joined the teaching staff at Garland High School as the first second-assistant in the GISD. He has done graduate studies at North Texas State University, Texas A&M Commerce, Eastfield College, Collin County Community College and Brookhaven Community College. In 2005 Bob received his Masters in Music Education from American Band College (ABC) - Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon. He is listed in Who's Who of American Teachers and Outstanding Young Men of America.
Mr. Beshears and his wife Tina live in Carrollton, where they have two lovely children Brittany
and Allison. His hobbies include riding his motorcycle and driving his 1949 Pontiac.
Robert Beshears
Assistant Band Director
972-494-8492 x. 60075
Mr. Ramirez is the first assistant at Garland High School. His duties include directing the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band I, and the Garland High School Percussion Program (which includes the Mighty Owl Drum Line/Front Ensemble, and the highly acclaimed Garland Chamber Percussion). Mr. Ramirez also assists with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band II at Garland, as well as, the Sellers Middle School Symphonic Band, the Austin Middle School Honors Band, and the beginner trumpets at Sam Houston Middle School. During the fall Mr. Ramirez directs the instruction of marching fundamentals, physical training and visual concepts for the Mighty Owl Marching Band. Mr. Ramirez is also on the faculty as a percussion instructor with the Baylor University School of Music Summer Camps and judges various Solo & Ensemble Contests throughout the DFW area.
Mr. Ramirez earned his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he studied percussion with the late Dr. Larry Vanlandingham and conducting with Michael Haithcock. Mr. Ramirez has also attended numerous workshops and symposiums with such teachers as Craig Kirchhoff, Michael Colgrass, Jack Stamp, Timothy Reynish, Todd Meehan, Brian Zator, Ray Chapa and Libby Larsen.
Mr. Ramirez lives in Sachse with his wife Amanda (whom he met on the marching practice field at Baylor).
972-494-8492 x. 60075
Mr. Ramirez is the first assistant at Garland High School. His duties include directing the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band I, and the Garland High School Percussion Program (which includes the Mighty Owl Drum Line/Front Ensemble, and the highly acclaimed Garland Chamber Percussion). Mr. Ramirez also assists with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band II at Garland, as well as, the Sellers Middle School Symphonic Band, the Austin Middle School Honors Band, and the beginner trumpets at Sam Houston Middle School. During the fall Mr. Ramirez directs the instruction of marching fundamentals, physical training and visual concepts for the Mighty Owl Marching Band. Mr. Ramirez is also on the faculty as a percussion instructor with the Baylor University School of Music Summer Camps and judges various Solo & Ensemble Contests throughout the DFW area.
Mr. Ramirez earned his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he studied percussion with the late Dr. Larry Vanlandingham and conducting with Michael Haithcock. Mr. Ramirez has also attended numerous workshops and symposiums with such teachers as Craig Kirchhoff, Michael Colgrass, Jack Stamp, Timothy Reynish, Todd Meehan, Brian Zator, Ray Chapa and Libby Larsen.
Mr. Ramirez lives in Sachse with his wife Amanda (whom he met on the marching practice field at Baylor).
Second Assistant Band Director
972-494-8492 ext. 60075
Mr. Casstevens, a graduate of Garland High School, is the second assistant band director and a
woodwind specialist. His duties include directing the Symphonic Band, Concert Band II and teaching Jazz Studies. He also assists with the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and Concert Band I Band.
Mr. Casstevens earned his bachelor's degree from Northwestern State University in
Natchitoches, LA. While at NSU, he served as drum major of the three hundred member "Spirit
of Northwestern" Marching Band for two years. As lead alto saxophonist of the NSU Jazz
Orchestra, he performed with Ellis Marsalis, Mike Vax, and Maynard Ferguson.
Mr. Casstevens is the conductor of the Arapaho Road Baptist Church Wind Ensemble. He and
his wife Julie reside in Garland.
972-494-8492 ext. 60075
Mr. Casstevens, a graduate of Garland High School, is the second assistant band director and a
woodwind specialist. His duties include directing the Symphonic Band, Concert Band II and teaching Jazz Studies. He also assists with the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and Concert Band I Band.
Mr. Casstevens earned his bachelor's degree from Northwestern State University in
Natchitoches, LA. While at NSU, he served as drum major of the three hundred member "Spirit
of Northwestern" Marching Band for two years. As lead alto saxophonist of the NSU Jazz
Orchestra, he performed with Ellis Marsalis, Mike Vax, and Maynard Ferguson.
Mr. Casstevens is the conductor of the Arapaho Road Baptist Church Wind Ensemble. He and
his wife Julie reside in Garland.
Visual Guard Coordinator
"Scooter" Spicer joined Garland High School not only as the color guard coordinator for the
Mighty Owl Band, but also as a faculty IB/AP computer science teacher.
Mr. Spicer's color guard resume started in his senior year at Ford High School in Quinlan,
Texas. He received a B.S. in Computer Information Systems at Texas A&M University
where he was also guard captain in the marching band. Scooter has previously taught both color
guard and winter guard at many local high schools including Rains, Fossil Ridge, Trinity,
McKinney and Rowlett. He firmly believes in the philosophy that "anyone can spin a rifle, saber,
or flag. They just have to be shown how to do it."
"Scooter" Spicer joined Garland High School not only as the color guard coordinator for the
Mighty Owl Band, but also as a faculty IB/AP computer science teacher.
Mr. Spicer's color guard resume started in his senior year at Ford High School in Quinlan,
Texas. He received a B.S. in Computer Information Systems at Texas A&M University
where he was also guard captain in the marching band. Scooter has previously taught both color
guard and winter guard at many local high schools including Rains, Fossil Ridge, Trinity,
McKinney and Rowlett. He firmly believes in the philosophy that "anyone can spin a rifle, saber,
or flag. They just have to be shown how to do it."
Jacob Ramirez
Matt Casstevens
Dawson Spicer
Steven Howell
1/3rd Band Director
1/3rd Band Director
Greatness through Excellence - Unity Anytime and Every time.
Garland High School 310 S. Garland Ave Garland, TX 75040