Welcome to the Band Department of McNeil High School. The Instrumental Music (Band) Department at McNeil High School enrolls 200 students from the 9th through 12th grades who study with a dedicated teaching faculty as well as private lesson instructors.
Jason Dimiceli
Director of Bands: Director of the Wind Ensemble, Co-Director of Symphonic Band, Program Direction and Administration
512.464.6424 jason_dimiceli@roundrockisd.org
Mr. Dimiceli arrived at McNeil in the Fall of 2004, originally serving as Associate Director. He teaches the Wind Ensemble and Marching Band, and he assists with the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. Mr. Dimiceli is on staff for the Texas Ambassadors of Music and he is an active concert and sight-reading judge for the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Prior to coming to McNeil Mr. Dimiceli taught at San Marcos HS and Westfield HS (Spring ISD).
Mr. Dimiceli graduated with a degree in Music Studies from The University of Texas at Austin in 2002. The trumpet is his principal instrument and he was fortunate to have studied with the great Raymond Crisara and Dr. Joel Treybig. Mr. Dimiceli also studied privately with Dr. Kevin Sedatole in score study and conducting. He is proud to have graduated from Eisenhower High School in Houston.
Some of Mr. Dimiceli’s fondest playing memories are from his time in UT performing ensembles, his two years (1996-97) in the Longhorn Band and in his three years (1997-99) in The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
Away from school, Mr. Dimiceli loves to spend time with his beautiful wife, Jennifer, and his lovely daughter, Emily, who graduated from McNeil in 2021. The Dimicelis reside in Round Rock, and Emily is pursuing her bachelors degree at Southwestern University in Georgetown. Mr. Dimiceli loves watching Major League Baseball, football, and golf, and his favorite teams are the Houston Astros and Texas Longhorns. He also enjoys running, cycling, playing golf, cooking, and reading as much as he can. He also LOVES Summer Moon gift cards!
Brittany Graham
Associate Director of Bands: Director of the Wind Symphony, Co-Director of the Marching Band, Co-Director of Symphonic Band, Private Lesson Coordinator
512.464.6426 brittany_graham@roundrockisd.org
We are happy to announce Brittany Graham as the newest addition to the band staff at McNeil High School! Mrs. Graham graduated from Baylor University in 2011 with a degree in music and immediately began her teaching career in San Antonio, Texas where she stayed for four years. She taught in San Antonio ISD and then in Medina Valley ISD. While at Medina Valley ISD, she directed and coordinated for the marching band, and directed and coordinated the winter drumline.
After teaching in San Antonio Mrs. Graham came to Round Rock ISD where she was the assistant band director at Round Rock High School for the next 6 years. During her time at Round Rock she had the opportunity to conduct the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and the Philharmonic Orchestra. While under the direction of Mrs. Graham, the Wind Symphony was named a Citation of Excellence winner in 2019. She also assisted with directing the marching band, and while she was at Round Rock the marching band attended and made finals at the state marching band contest, was a BOA San Antonio Super Regional finalist, and was a BOA Grand National finalist.
Along with her involvement in her own band programs, Mrs. Graham has eleven years of experience in DCI and WGI as a member and instructor. Her experience includes performing with Revolution from 2005 – 2006, Blue Knights from 2008 – 2009, visual staff with the Boston Crusaders in 2014, visual staff with Monarch Independent in 2015, visual staff with the Blue Knights from 2015 – 2018, visual staff with the Phantom Regiment in 2019, and visual staff with the Crossmen in 2020.
Mrs. Graham is very excited to join the staff at McNeil High School and become part of the Maverick Band family!
Jordan Garza III
Director of Percussion: Director of All Percussion Activities - Grades 6-12, Co-Director of the Marching Band
512.464.6427 jordan_garza@roundrockisd.org
Jordan Garza joined the McNeil High School Band staff in 2020. He is also the Ensemble Director of Rhythmic Force Percussion, an Independent Percussion Ensemble based in Austin, TX. Jordan’s varied and successful background with percussion ensemble, electronics, marching band, and indoor percussion provides a strong foundation for the current vision of his percussion programs. Mr. Garza is endorsed by the educational programs of Marimba One, Innovative Percussion, Evans Drum Heads and is an active clinician, percussion arranger and instructor across Texas.
Prior to the year 2020, he was the Associate Director of Bands and Percussion Director at Weiss High School. In 2017, Weiss was named the Bands of America class A Champion, during their first year of existence. In 2018, Weiss HS was one of the youngest schools to ever place in finals at a Bands of America Super Regional and named the Grand Champion of the Vista Ridge Marching Festival. In 2019, the Weiss HS Percussion Ensemble won the Outstanding Front Ensemble Caption in the large division of the Brandies South Texas Classic.
Prior to living in Austin, TX Jordan resided in Houston TX, where he was the Percussion Director at the nationally recognized Stephen F. Austin HS and was the Ensemble Director at Monarch Independent for the 2017 season. During his time in FBISD, Mr. Garza led the Stephen F. Austin percussion ensemble to multiple championship performances with the Bulldog Band and Angels Dance Team, including the first place finish at UIL Area in 2016. Under his direction, the SFA Percussion Ensemble performed a showcase at the 2016 Texas Music Educators Association Convention.
Mr. Garza holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Instrumental Emphasis) from Texas State University. During his tenure at Texas State, he was the section leader of the Bobcat Drumline and the Principal Percussionist of the Texas State Wind Ensemble. If free time presents itself, Jordan subs with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, enjoys a good spin class and walks with his new doggie pal Theo. Mr. Garza brings his vision into reality through performance, teamwork and excellence in musicianship.
Chris McCarthy
Color Guard Director
512.464.6424 christopher_mccarthy@roundrockisd.org
Originally from Binghamton, NY, Mr. McCarthy discovered his love for color guard and the marching activity at age 12. From 2001 to 2007 he attended Susquehanna Valley MS and HS performing with the marching band, color guard, concert band, and spent his last two years serving as Drum Major. In 2006, Mr. McCarthy made the jump during his junior year to independent color guard. He spent several years performing with Spectrum Winterguard, primarily in the Independent Open class, as well as the A and World Class. He served as Guard Captain in ’09, ’10 and ’11. Mr. McCarthy has also marched with the DCA finalists Syracuse Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps from ’07 – ’08.
At the age of 16, Mr. McCarthy began to choreograph and stage for small programs throughout upstate New York. Following high school, he spent a short time studying at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and then spent four years as an Operating Room assistant at a regional trauma center. During this time he served as designer, choreographer, and/or director for a number of programs. His experiences led him to transition to Texas in the summer of 2013. Some programs he has worked with include: University of Wisconsin - Whitewater (WI), Spectrum (NY), Greater Johnstown HS (NY), Round Rock HS (TX), Westwood HS (TX), New Braunfels HS (TX), North Shore HS (TX) Cedar Ridge HS (TX), Dripping Springs HS (TX) and Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps (TX).
Mr. McCarthy is now in his eighth year as Colorguard Director at McNeil HS. He is also the Co-Director of a local Open Class independent organization, Origins Colorguard, and also an instructor for The Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, based in San Antonio. Outside of these programs, Mr. McCarthy also designs, stages and choreographs for numerous groups across the country both as a freelance artist as well as working for SperlingDesigns.
Mr. McCarthy currently resides in Austin, and outside of pageantry he enjoys hiking, kayaking, traveling, and coffee with friends. He is a firm believer that laughter truly is the best medicine and never takes life for granted. He is most of all Proud to be a Maverick!