Meet the Directors!
Matthew Hiller, Director of Bands
mhiller@c-isd.com
Matthew Hiller is in his twenty-second year in education and sixteenth in Cleburne. Mr. Hiller was the 2009 recipient of Score a Goal in the Classroom’s, Bayard H. Friedman “HERO” Award as the most outstanding instrumental music educator in north Texas. He has previously taught bands in Plano, Mabank, and Dallas. Mr. Hiller is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, where he graduated from Overton HS for the Creative and Performing Arts. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas in 2001 where he was a bassoonist with nearly every performing ensemble including the world-renowned North Texas Wind Symphony.
At Smith, Mr. Hiller teaches Beginning Woodwind classes while overseeing beginning instruction in all instruments. He is the primary director of the Wind Ensemble, assists with the Symphonic Band and Concert Band, and directs the Jazz Ensemble. Under his leadership, the Smith MS Wind Ensemble has earned 14 UIL Sweepstakes Awards. The bands at Smith have also consistently earned first division ratings at festivals across Texas and numerous Smith students have earned a chair in the TMEA All-Region Honor Band. In 2020, the Smith MS Wind Ensemble was named a "Commended Winner" in the National Wind Band Honors "Mark of Excellence" project. Mr. Hiller has conducted the Smith Bands in performances at the Murchison Performing Arts Center (UNT), Ed Landreth Auditorium (TCU), Clyde H. Wells Performing Arts Center (Tarleton), Jackson Auditorium (TLU), the Texas State Capitol, on the grounds of The Alamo, for a crowd at Fort Hood, and a side-by-side concert with the Leon Taylor JH Band in Ingleside, TX.
Mr. Hiller is a founding member of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, a professional wind ensemble performing in the DFW area. He is professionally affiliated with TMEA, TBA, TMAA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He currently serves as the TMEA Region 30 Middle School Band Coordinator. Mr. Hiller serves as a frequent clinician and judge across the state of Texas. He resides in Cleburne, Texas, with his dog (Charlie) and cat (Fergus).
mhiller@c-isd.com
Matthew Hiller is in his twenty-second year in education and sixteenth in Cleburne. Mr. Hiller was the 2009 recipient of Score a Goal in the Classroom’s, Bayard H. Friedman “HERO” Award as the most outstanding instrumental music educator in north Texas. He has previously taught bands in Plano, Mabank, and Dallas. Mr. Hiller is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, where he graduated from Overton HS for the Creative and Performing Arts. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas in 2001 where he was a bassoonist with nearly every performing ensemble including the world-renowned North Texas Wind Symphony.
At Smith, Mr. Hiller teaches Beginning Woodwind classes while overseeing beginning instruction in all instruments. He is the primary director of the Wind Ensemble, assists with the Symphonic Band and Concert Band, and directs the Jazz Ensemble. Under his leadership, the Smith MS Wind Ensemble has earned 14 UIL Sweepstakes Awards. The bands at Smith have also consistently earned first division ratings at festivals across Texas and numerous Smith students have earned a chair in the TMEA All-Region Honor Band. In 2020, the Smith MS Wind Ensemble was named a "Commended Winner" in the National Wind Band Honors "Mark of Excellence" project. Mr. Hiller has conducted the Smith Bands in performances at the Murchison Performing Arts Center (UNT), Ed Landreth Auditorium (TCU), Clyde H. Wells Performing Arts Center (Tarleton), Jackson Auditorium (TLU), the Texas State Capitol, on the grounds of The Alamo, for a crowd at Fort Hood, and a side-by-side concert with the Leon Taylor JH Band in Ingleside, TX.
Mr. Hiller is a founding member of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, a professional wind ensemble performing in the DFW area. He is professionally affiliated with TMEA, TBA, TMAA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He currently serves as the TMEA Region 30 Middle School Band Coordinator. Mr. Hiller serves as a frequent clinician and judge across the state of Texas. He resides in Cleburne, Texas, with his dog (Charlie) and cat (Fergus).
Tanner Carter, Associate Director of Bands
lcarter@c-isd.com
Tanner Carter is excited to start his first year of teaching at Smith Middle School in Cleburne ISD! A graduate of Wylie HS, Mr. Carter earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He studied trumpet with Dr. Daniel Kelly and conducting with Mr. Phillip Clements and Mr. Allan Goodwin. While at college, he performed with numerous ensembles including the TAMUC Wind Ensemble, TAMUC Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Choir, “Pride of the Court” Basketball Band, and the “Pride” Marching Band. He also served as trumpet section leader for the “Pride” Marching Band and as principal trumpet of the Symphonic Band.
Additionally, Mr. Carter has also worked at Wylie High School and McKinney North High School as a marching band technician. He completed his student teaching at McKinney North High School and Cockrill Middle School in McKinney ISD in May 2022. Lastly, Mr. Carter is professionally affiliated with TMEA, TBA, International Trumpet Guild, Young Band Directors of Texas, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity
Mr. Carter is the primary director of the Smith Middle School Symphonic Band and Concert Band and assists with the Wind Ensemble. He also teaches all Beginning Brass classes.
lcarter@c-isd.com
Tanner Carter is excited to start his first year of teaching at Smith Middle School in Cleburne ISD! A graduate of Wylie HS, Mr. Carter earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He studied trumpet with Dr. Daniel Kelly and conducting with Mr. Phillip Clements and Mr. Allan Goodwin. While at college, he performed with numerous ensembles including the TAMUC Wind Ensemble, TAMUC Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Choir, “Pride of the Court” Basketball Band, and the “Pride” Marching Band. He also served as trumpet section leader for the “Pride” Marching Band and as principal trumpet of the Symphonic Band.
Additionally, Mr. Carter has also worked at Wylie High School and McKinney North High School as a marching band technician. He completed his student teaching at McKinney North High School and Cockrill Middle School in McKinney ISD in May 2022. Lastly, Mr. Carter is professionally affiliated with TMEA, TBA, International Trumpet Guild, Young Band Directors of Texas, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity
Mr. Carter is the primary director of the Smith Middle School Symphonic Band and Concert Band and assists with the Wind Ensemble. He also teaches all Beginning Brass classes.
Matt Bibb, Cleburne ISD Percussion Director
mbibb@c-isd.com
Matt Bibb is in his sixth year as the Percussion Director for Cleburne ISD. His responsibilities include teaching percussion ensemble, drumline, middle school percussion classes at Smith and Wheat Middle Schools, and assisting with all of the bands. Mr. Bibb is a graduate of Texas Christian University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While attending TCU, he performed with award winning percussion ensembles and drumlines. In 2006, he was a member of the PAS Marching Percussion Champion TCU Drumline, and in 2008 performed with the TCU Percussion Ensemble at the PAS Showcase Concert. Mr. Bibb also has several years of experience with drum and bugle corps as a member and instructor. He was a member of Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps from 2005-2007 and instructor at Spokane Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps in 2010 and Forte Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011. Mr. Bibb has been fortunate to have studied percussion with many leading educators such as Dr. Brian West, Dr. Richard Gipson, Joey Carter, Paul Rennick, Dave Hall, Stuart Spoon, and Tyler Orbison. Prior to working at Cleburne High School, Mr. Bibb spent seven years teaching at his alma mater, Lamar High School in Arlington, TX. In his spare time, Mr. Bibb enjoys spending time with his wife, Mica, and sons, Grant and Nolan.
mbibb@c-isd.com
Matt Bibb is in his sixth year as the Percussion Director for Cleburne ISD. His responsibilities include teaching percussion ensemble, drumline, middle school percussion classes at Smith and Wheat Middle Schools, and assisting with all of the bands. Mr. Bibb is a graduate of Texas Christian University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While attending TCU, he performed with award winning percussion ensembles and drumlines. In 2006, he was a member of the PAS Marching Percussion Champion TCU Drumline, and in 2008 performed with the TCU Percussion Ensemble at the PAS Showcase Concert. Mr. Bibb also has several years of experience with drum and bugle corps as a member and instructor. He was a member of Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps from 2005-2007 and instructor at Spokane Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps in 2010 and Forte Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011. Mr. Bibb has been fortunate to have studied percussion with many leading educators such as Dr. Brian West, Dr. Richard Gipson, Joey Carter, Paul Rennick, Dave Hall, Stuart Spoon, and Tyler Orbison. Prior to working at Cleburne High School, Mr. Bibb spent seven years teaching at his alma mater, Lamar High School in Arlington, TX. In his spare time, Mr. Bibb enjoys spending time with his wife, Mica, and sons, Grant and Nolan.
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