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ASU Names New Band Director

August 20, 2013

Arturo “Art” Valdez III has joined the staff of Angelo State University’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts as the new director of bands, replacing the departed Dr. Daniel McCloud.

A native of Laredo, Valdez previously served as associate director of bands and coordinator of instrumental music education at Texas Christian University.  He also spent 25 years teaching band in Texas public schools.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in all-level music education at the former Texas A&I University in Kingsville and a master’s degree in educational administration after the school became Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Dr. Edward Surface, interim chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, said Valdez brings “the most incredible skill set” to the job.  Membership in the band has nearly doubled since Valdez joined the department less than a month ago.

“Valdez is taking a different approach to the band,” Surface said.  “He is a strong musician who is also a leader.”

Valdez will direct his first ASU band performance during the university’s Rambunctious Weekend festivities on Friday, Aug. 23.

During his public school career, Valdez led band programs to numerous state championships in marching and concert contests.  From 1999-2004, he was director of instrumental music for the Fort Worth Independent School District, the state’s fifth-largest district with more than 80,000 students.  He has also served as director of visual and performing arts for the La Joya ISD, executive director of fine arts with the Donna ISD and director of bands for schools in Laredo, Jim Hogg County, La Porte and Donna.

A past president of the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), Valdez served seven terms on the TBA board of directors.  He has judged and adjudicated numerous University Interscholastic League and Texas Music Educators Association competitions, twice judged the Arizona State Band Concert Contest and conducted the New Mexico All-State Band during the annual New Mexico Music Educators Association State Convention.

For more information, call the ASU Department of Visual and Performing Arts at 325-942-2085.