Ryan Straten
Mr. Ryan M. Straten is in his third year as Director of Bands at Timberview Middle School and his twelfth year of teaching. Mr. Straten directs the Wind Ensemble, assists with the Symphonic and Concert Bands, and teaches the 6th grade beginning clarinet, trumpet, horn, and trombone classes. Since Mr. Straten’s appointment at TMS, the band program has placed a record number of students in the All-District and All-Region Band process, and the Wind Ensemble has received unanimous superior ratings at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation earning them the coveted Sweepstakes Award over the past two years. Most recently, the Wind Ensemble was named as an official, invited performer at the Music For All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. They will travel in March over spring break to perform at this prestigious festival! The TMS Wind Ensemble was also recently named as a Class A National Winner in the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence project.
Before coming to Keller ISD, Mr. Straten served as the Director of Bands at Williams Middle School in Rockwall ISD for two years and Highland Park Middle School/McCulloch Intermediate School for a year. Under his direction, both organizations placed a record number of students in the All-Region Band process, received unanimous first division ratings at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contests, and named Best In Class and Overall Outstanding Middle School Band at the Lone Star Showcase of Music Festival. Prior to his appointment in Highland Park, Mr. Straten was the Associate Director at Artie Henry Middle School in Leander ISD where he directed the Symphonic Band and taught the clarinet, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba beginning band classes. His bands consistently received UIL Sweepstakes ratings, unanimous first division ratings, and Best In Class honors at festivals around the state. While at Henry, Mr. Straten was privileged to have been part of the team that led the Henry Band Program to two invitations and performances at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois; the program’s second performance at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington; it’s second Texas State CCC Honor Band title; and to the program being named a John Philip Sousa Sudler Silver Cup Award recipient.
He holds two Masters degrees from Texas State University in Educational Leadership and Music Education and a Bachelors degree in Music Education. He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association.