GCISD educator Asa Burk has accepted the position of director of bands for Grapevine High School.  

For the last six years, Burk has been band director at Cross Timbers Middle School, a GCISD middle school attended by many future GHS band members.  Burk began his career as assistant band director at Springtown High School in Springtown ISD where he worked with the high school's concert and marching programs.

The director of bands position at GHS became available when long-time director Steve Andre left the district at the end of the 2011-12 school year.

Burk has taught band in Texas for 20 years, with 13 of those years spent in director-level positions for middle school bands, including CTMS and Huffines Middle School in Lewisville ISD.  He also served as assistant band director at Harwood Junior High School in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD.

GHS Principal Shannon Tovar believes that with his experience, enthusiasm, and ability to encourage students, Burk is an excellent choice for the position.

"Mr. Burk brings an understanding of the high expectations we have for student performance at Grapevine High School but at the same time understands the importance of treating each student as a valued team member," said Tovar. "His successful leadership of a band program and existing relationship with many of our band families create a solid foundation to lead our GHS Mustangs toward a lifetime love of music and performance."

With a Master of Music Education from the University of North Texas, Burk earned his Bachelor of Music degree, summa cum laude, from Howard Payne University.  Over the years, his bands have consistently received UIL Sweepstakes Awards, Best in Class designations at various festivals and have been state finalists in the TMEA Honor Band.  During the recent school year, CTMS Honors Band was selected as National Winner in the 2011 National Wind Band Honors Project Mark of Excellence awarded by the The Foundation for Music Education.

Burk is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and has served on the U.I.L. Prescribed Music List selection committee.  He is a member of the Texas Music Educator’s Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He and his wife, Alicia, reside in Fort Worth.

As director of bands at GHS, Burk will be responsible for the entire band program with approximately 250 students.  He said the decision to leave CTMS was not an easy one.  The decision was made easier, however, as he realized that he would have the opportunity to work with many of his former students in high school.

"It has been a great honor to conduct the Cross Timbers Middle School Band for the past six years," he said.  "There are so many great memories and wonderful performances at CTMS that I will miss but I look forward to working with every student in the CTMS band when they become Mustang band members. I am excited to begin my new role as director of bands at Grapevine High School.  The GHS Band has a long tradition of success and excellence and I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity." 

Burk is expected to be in the GHS role for Summer Band Camp beginning July 30.

Press release courtesy of GCISD