Tate Fincher - Director of Bands
Email: tfincher@ccisd.net
Tate Fincher is in his fifth year as Director of Bands at Clear Creek High School, where he also serves as Visual and Performing Arts Department Head and teaches AP Music Theory. Since 2018, the Clear Creek HS Band program has continued to grow and opportunities for students throughout the Clear Creek HS vertical cluster have expanded each year. The program is a consistent sweepstakes award winner and student participation and representation at the region, area, and state level continues to grow.
Prior to arriving at Clear Creek, Mr. Fincher served for five years as Director of Bands at Akins High School in Austin, TX, and as an Associate Director one year prior to his appointment. During his time at Akins, UIL Sweepstakes and First Division ratings were earned by ensembles throughout the program, the program doubled in size, student placement into TMEA region bands tripled, first division ratings at UIL Solo & Ensemble contest doubled, two competitive winter guards were established, and student enrichment and musical growth became a cornerstone of the Akins program. Before moving to Austin, Mr. Fincher was an assistant director at Lake Highlands High School and Wylie High School in the DFW Area.
Mr. Fincher holds a Master of Music from Stephen F. Austin State University, a Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Arlington, and is in his final semester of study for a Master of Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. In addition to adjudicating concert and sight reading events, he serves as a design analysis and general effect judge for winter guards circuits throughout the southwest as well as a marching band adjudicator at contests throughout the nation. Mr. Fincher is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.
Prior to arriving at Clear Creek, Mr. Fincher served for five years as Director of Bands at Akins High School in Austin, TX, and as an Associate Director one year prior to his appointment. During his time at Akins, UIL Sweepstakes and First Division ratings were earned by ensembles throughout the program, the program doubled in size, student placement into TMEA region bands tripled, first division ratings at UIL Solo & Ensemble contest doubled, two competitive winter guards were established, and student enrichment and musical growth became a cornerstone of the Akins program. Before moving to Austin, Mr. Fincher was an assistant director at Lake Highlands High School and Wylie High School in the DFW Area.
Mr. Fincher holds a Master of Music from Stephen F. Austin State University, a Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Arlington, and is in his final semester of study for a Master of Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. In addition to adjudicating concert and sight reading events, he serves as a design analysis and general effect judge for winter guards circuits throughout the southwest as well as a marching band adjudicator at contests throughout the nation. Mr. Fincher is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.