TMEA Region 3 –
Band Division Officers
Our Band Division Officers are committed to provide our students and community with positive musical experiences and exceptional service!
Christopher Loyd
Band Division Chairperson
christopher.loyd@rockwallisd.org
(903) 305-5517
Christopher Loyd currently serves as the Director of Bands at Rockwall-Heath High School, a position he has held since 2020. Prior to his appointment at Rockwall-Heath he previously served as Director of Bands at O’Banion Middle School and Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland ISD, and served as an assistant director at Paul H Pewitt CISD in Omaha, TX.
Jim Palmer
Middle School Band Coordinator
jim.palmer@rockwallisd.org
(972) 926–2630
Jim Palmer is in his twenty-fourth year of teaching and is currently in his 9th year as the Director of Bands at the Classical Center at Brandenburg Middle School in Garland, Texas. At Brandenburg, Mr. Palmer conducts the Honors Band, Jazz Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, and teaches the beginning flute and brass classes. He was the middle school band lead teacher for Garland ISD from 2016 to 2020, was the awarded the Classical Center at Brandenburg Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2019-2020, and is currently the Texas Music Educators Association Region 3 Middle School Band Coordinator.
Jake McClain
Jazz Coordinator
jmcclain2@mesquiteisd.org
(972) 882-7935 ext 2
Jake McClain serves as an assistant director at North Mesquite High School, a position he has held since 2021. Prior to his appointment at North Mesquite, Mr. McClain attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and performed with Legends and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.
Mike Major
Band Division Secretary
jmajor@mesquiteisd.org
(972) 882-5718
Mike Major currently serves as the Director of Bands at McDonald Middle School in Mesquite, TX. When Mr. Major arrived at McDonald 14 years ago, there were only 50 students enrolled in the entire band program. Now, the it is thriving with over 200 students in one 6th grade Beginner Band and three 7th and 8th grade Advanced Bands. Mr. Major's bands have consistently earned Superior and Excellent ratings at UIL evaluation and invitational contests. He previously worked at North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, TX, and Gentry Public Schools in Gentry, AR.
Chris Brown
Judges Coordinator,
Texas Bandmasters Association Coordinator
cbrown@mesquiteisd.org
(972) 882-5900
Chris Brown is in his 25th year as the Band Director at Kimbrough Middle School in the Mesquite, TX. At Kimbrough his bands have consistently received Sweepstakes at UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest and First Divisions at other music festivals. In 2016, Kimbrough was selected as the Texas Bandmaster’s Association Exemplary Middle School Band Program. Kimbrough is the only feeder school for Poteet HS, the 2008 Texas Music Educator’s Association Class 4A Honor Band and three-time UIL Class 4A State Marching Champion. Before coming to Kimbrough, Mr. Brown taught for three years in Bonham, TX, where he was the Band Director at L.H. Rather Middle School. While at L.H. Rather, his band earned the first UIL Sweepstakes in the school’s history.
Rene Lira
Band Division Treasurer
ralira@garlandisd.net
(972) 463-1712
Rene Lira currently serves as the Director of Bands at Rowlett High School. Prior to his appointment he served as Director of Bands at Coyle Middle School, assistant director at North Garland High School, and Greenville Middle School.
Ryan Forkner
TMEA Region III President
rforkner@mesquiteisd.org
(972) 882-7936
Ryan Forkner is originally from Arlington, TX where he first began singing in choirs as a boy. After graduating from Arlington High School in 1999, where he was twice selected for the Texas All-State Choir, Ryan attended Texas Christian University where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2003. Following his undergraduate degree, Ryan served as a Choral Graduate Assistant at TCU while earning his Masters in Choral Conducting under Professor Ron Shirey. After completing his Masters in 2005, Ryan became the choir director at North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, TX where he has taught the past nine years. During that time period the choir department has grown from 70 students to 320 students performing in 9 ensembles, enjoyed its first UIL sweepstakes in over a decade (including the program’s first Tenor/Bass Sweepstakes in over twenty years).
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