School of Music
School of Music Faculty Directory
Adrienne Banks, Adjunct Professor of Cello and Bass
Originally from Chicago, Adrienne Banks began studying cello at the age of 9. She graduated with honors from Illinois State University, where she earned a B.M. in music performance and music therapy, studying cello under Dr. Adriana La Rosa Ransom. She was a member of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest before moving to Texas in 2016.
Adrienne has traveled around the United States and Europe to perform, including orchestral tours throughout France and Germany and as a cellist with the International Chamber Music Institute in Bulgaria. She has had the pleasure of playing for hundreds of live events, including SXSW musical festival and concert tours for major artists. She has also recorded for various artists’ albums and done live and commercial work for Amazon Prime.
Adrienne has a passion for collaborating with theatre artists, having performed for numerous theatrical productions, including as the company cellist for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Adrienne has been a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) since 2014 and has worked with a wide variety of individuals and groups to bring healing through music.
She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, having served in multiple leadership positions and earning the Regional Alumnae Leadership Award for excellence in music and community service. She currently performs as a core cellist with Sienna String Quartet based in Austin, TX, as a substitute cellist with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, and teaches cello for Abilene ISD while maintaining a private studio.
Dr. Bob Brooks, Dean, College of Arts and Media
Dr. Robert Rankin Brooks is Dean of the College of Arts and Media at Hardin-Simmons University. He served previously at Hardin-Simmons University on the music faculty and as dean of the College of Fine Arts. He served as dean of the College of Fine Arts and dean of the Graduate School of Ministry at Dallas Baptist University. Dr. Brooks served as the Associate Director of Educational Outreach and then Director of Educational Outreach at The Juilliard School.
Dr. Brooks’ degrees include a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Music Education, a Master of Music, a Doctor of Musical Arts, and a Professional Internship in Arts Administration. His teaching background encompasses choral studies, conducting, voice, music history, music and worship, musical theatre, arts administration, and the music industry. He has also directed numerous choral and instrumental ensembles, musicals, and worship events. Dr. Brooks has worked as a musician and an actor, from the professional stage to higher education to the worship of the church.
Dr. Brooks is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Texas Music Educators Association, and Actors Equity Association.
Dr. Lynette Chambers, Adjunct Professor of Voice
Dr. Lynnette Chambers, mezzo-soprano, is a native of Houston, Texas, and has just begun her 22nd year of teaching as a voice professor at Hardin-Simmons University. In addition to her School of Music duties, Dr. Chambers divides her time between homeschooling her son and performing. She received a D.M.A and M.M. degree from The Ohio State University and a B.M.E. degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Dr.
Chambers has performed with such organizations as the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Arkansas Symphony, Valley Symphony Orchestra, Abilene Opera, Abilene Philharmonic, Lake George Opera, Muddy River Opera, and Des Moines Metro Opera. She won “Singer of the Year” at the Texoma Regional NATS convention and was a National Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards.
Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell, Dept Head: School of Music; Professor of Low Brass and Theory
Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell, associate dean of the School of Music, is an active performer, teacher, and award-winning composer. He teaches trombone, euphonium, and tuba, as well as composition, computer music, and the HSU Jazz Ensemble.
Dr. Cottrell performs on tuba with the Key City Brass Quintet and trombone with the “oldies” rock band Johnny D and the Doo-Wops. He also plays trombone for the local dance band Fanfare, lead trombone for the West Texas Jazz Orchestra, and trombone and euphonium with the San Angelo-based combo Jazz Concho. He has performed with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, the Irving Symphony, the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Dallas Tuba Quartet, Cap Rock Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Martha and the Vandellas, Dash Riprock and the Dragons, the Hi Roller Band, and numerous other ensembles on trombone, euphonium, and tuba. He has been featured as a soloist with several ensembles over the years, such as the San Angelo Symphony, the Mansfield Wind Symphony, the Summit High School Jazz Band, and the Hardin-Simmons Concert Band. Dr. Cottrell can be heard on recordings with the North Texas Wind Symphony for the Klavier Wind Project and the GIA Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. He has also recorded with the blues artist Keith Taylor, and for other groups such as Brave Combo, Six Flags Over Texas, and The ET’s, He is greatly in demand as a teacher and clinician across Texas, and has placed many students in the Texas All-State Band and Orchestra in addition to the Dallas Youth Orchestra and the Ft. Worth Youth Orchestra.
Jeff’s first love is composing and arranging. He has numerous published works that have been performed around the world in various venues. His compositions include works for choir, orchestra, concert band, jazz band, brass quintet, trombone ensemble, and tuba-euphonium ensemble. In 2006, he was honored with The International Tuba-Euphonium Association’s Harvey Phillips Award for Composition Excellence for euphonium featured in jazz/rock/fusion, and in 2013, his tuba-euphonium composition Tuba Loca was recorded for the CD release of Spainphonic by the internationally known Spanish euphonium artist Juan Jose Munera. He was also honored as the Texas Music Teachers Association Commissioned Composer for 2015.
Check out some of Dr. Cottrell’s musical activities on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtSZvXH41b46OS5g9oxGgk47wDcSq337M
Matt Ellis, Adjunct Professor of Guitar
Matt Ellis has been playing guitar since 1990. He has a bachelor’s in music from Hardin-Simmons University in Music, and studied with Dan Mitchell. He has taught guitar since 2002 privately, and currently teaches guitar at HSU.
Matt owns a private studio (Mellis Music Studio) and teaches 50+ private guitar lessons a week. He employs a staff of four other teachers (piano, voice, violin, guitar, ukulele). He started as an adjunct instructor at HSU in the spring of 2019.
He has a wife, Michelle, and three children: Richard, Lucy, and Nora.
He is heavily invested in West Texas in live music, entertainment, worship leading, and instruction.
Dr. Jumyeong Lee, Accompanist
Dr. Jumyeong Lee is a passionate pianist and educator with a distinguished performance history, highlighted by her performances at Carnegie Hall and a concerto with the National Symphony of Teleradio-Moldova. Her dedication to music education extends to significant contributions in the academic community, including numerous national conference presentations.
Dr. Lee earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from Texas Tech University, along with graduate certificates in Piano Pedagogy and Collaborative Piano. She holds a Master’s degree in Piano performance from Temple University, PA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Suwon University in South Korea. Additionally, Dr. Lee studied in the Master’s program in Piano Performance at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul.
Through her performances and teaching, she continues to inspire students and audiences alike, fostering a deep appreciation for classical music.
Jay Lester, Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Music Education: Director of Bands
Post-graduate hours from University of Miami, VanderCook College of Music, Hardin Simmons University Mr. Lester spent his public-school career as a band and orchestra director as well as an arts administrator before moving into college teaching. His band in Allen performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade and received the Sudler Shield from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. In 2006, he co-conducted the Allen Full Orchestra at the Midwest Clinic. As a presenter, Jay has led workshops at the Midwest Clinic, TMEA, TBA, TFAA, TODA, and in over 30 school districts. Jay served as president of the Texas Fine Arts Administrators in 2019- 20 and has served as Executive Secretary for UIL Music Region 6 since 2019. He is a member of CBDNA, TMEA, TBA, TODA, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association.
Jay studied trumpet with Paul Hankins, Dave Scott, Scott Mather, and John Daniel. His professional experience spans over 30 years with various symphonies, chamber groups, and wind ensembles, including the Abilene Philharmonic, the Allen Symphony, the West Texas Symphony, the Corpus Christi Wind Symphony, the Lone Star Brass Quintet, the Key City Brass Quintet, and the San Angelo Symphony. He currently performs with the FBC Celebration Orchestra, the Big Spring Symphony, and the West Texas Jazz Orchestra. As a member of the Lone Star State Trumpet Guild, he has performed in recital throughout West Texas, at TMEA, and the International Trumpet Guild conference.
Cynthia Mixon, Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts
Cynthia Mixon is an Adjunct Professor of Woodwinds and Music Theory at Hardin Simmons University. She graduated from Angelo State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 1991 and from Hardin Simmons University in 1996 with a master’s degree in Flute Performance. She taught band in public schools for 28 years, both at the middle school and high school levels.
After retiring from public teaching in 2021, Cynthia returned to Abilene. In addition to her teaching at HSU, she performs with the Big Country Flute Choir and the Singing Women of West Central Texas, as well as many other performing opportunities on flute, clarinet, and saxophone in Austin and surrounding areas. In her spare time, Cynthia is working on running a marathon in every state in the U.S. and, as of 2024, has run 55 marathons in 30 states.
Dr. Dee Romines, Associate Professor of Music Education and Director of Choral
Dee Romines, associate professor of choral music education, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in instrumental music education from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Music in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His principal teachers were Dr. Eph Ehly, Dr. W J Julian, Dr. Donald Neuen, and Dr. Charles Robinson.
At HSU, Romines teaches courses in choral music education and undergraduate and graduate conducting, supervises student teachers, directs the HSU Chorale, and assists with all aspects of the choral program. Before his appointment at HSU, Romines held similar music education positions at the University of Georgia and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. From 1987 to 1998, he was the academy choral director at Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. Additional experience includes teaching elementary, middle, and high school instrumental music in Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri, as well as directing church and community choirs.
Professional affiliations: American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, National Collegiate Choral Organization, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Dr. Bernard Scherr, Adjunct Professor of Music Theory and Composition
Dr. Bernard Scherr’s catalog includes over 140 works for orchestra, orchestra and chorus, orchestra and soloist, solo voice, chorus, concert band, and various chamber ensembles. His orchestral works have been performed in California, Texas, and Europe, and he has received numerous commissions from professional and university ensembles. His chamber music has been performed across the US and abroad. His music and professional activities have been recognized in Boston, California, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Texas. He has presented research papers or presentations of his music in Portugal, Alabama, California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington State. He teaches music theory and composition courses at Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University. He is the co-owner of B&D Music Services, LLC, which provides streaming and recording services for art music events. He holds multiple certifications in Pro Tools and Dante. His website is http://berniescherrcomposer.com. He earned a BA and MFA in music from UCLA and a Ph.D. in music from the University of Oregon.
Tiffany Stotts, Instructor of Worship Leadership
Tiffany Stotts serves as full-time music faculty and Director of the Worship Leadership degree for Hardin- Simmons University where she teaches classes on leadership, ministry, team building, and music. She also serves as the Associate Director of Spiritual Formation for Worship, where she trains and oversees all worship teams for bi-weekly chapel services in Logsdon Chapel. She has been at Hardin-Simmons for 6 years in these roles. She and her husband, Craig, have lived in Abilene for 8 years and have 4 beautiful and wild children! She loves all things coffee, movies, and music!
Robert Tucker, Adjunct Professor of Horns, Dean Kelley College of Business
Robert Lee Tucker has a Bachelor of Music from Hardin-Simmons University, a Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati, a Doctor of Philosophy from Texas Tech University, and a Master of Business Administration from Howard Payne University. An original member of the Texas Baptist All-State Choir, and many years later, he had the fortune of directing the band for that organization. Prior to accepting the position of Director of Bands at Howard Payne University, Tucker taught horn and music education at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He then taught public schools in the award-winning Stanton Band program in Stanton, Texas. While at Hardin-Simmons as a student, he played in the band, the Cowboy Band, sang in the choir, and performed with the Abilene Philharmonic and the college orchestra.
At Howard Payne University, after serving as Director of Bands, he became the Dean of Fine Arts, a position he completed 18 years before accepting the position as Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Hardin-Simmons University. His wide range of interests and experience has resulted in published articles, speaking engagements, published compositions, commissions, and opportunities for overseas travel and teaching. His recent book, “Like a Crown: Adventures in Autism,” is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and discusses the joys and challenges of raising an autistic child. With over 200 compositions and arrangements to his name, he continues to compose, play jazz and rock piano, conduct, lead music theatre productions, play French Horn, and have speaking engagements on a wide variety of topics, including autism, book collecting, church music, and history. He has performed with the Richmond Symphony, Cincinnati Chamber Symphony, El Paso Symphony, Midland-Odessa Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, Lake Charles Symphony, Rapides Symphony, and the Abilene Philharmonic. As a conductor, he has directed 15 Messiah performances and 10 musicals, performed over 100 clinics in area schools, and served as President of the Texas Association of Music Schools. He completed an MBA in 2013 and is now pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Kristin Ward, Adjunct Professor of Clarinet
Kristin Ward joined the music faculty of Hardin-Simmons University in 2021, where she serves as instructor of clarinet. Kristin previously taught at Hope College and Alma College in Michigan as well as Eastern Oregon University. She holds a master’s degree in clarinet performance from Michigan State University, and has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Abilene Christian University.
As a clarinetist, she performed with the ACU Wind Ensemble as a soloist in David Maslanka’s Clarinet Concerto at the Texas Music Educators Association convention in February of 2017. She is also the clarinetist of the Key City Winds Woodwind Quintet, which is the ensemble-in-residence here at Heavenly Rest. This quintet has performed in several venues in the Big Country, as well as the TMEA convention in February of 2018.
Dr. Steven Ward, Director of Orchestra
Dr. Steven Ward, director of Orchestra for Hardin-Simmons University, is also the Professor of Music and Director of Orchestra and Bands at Abilene Christian University, the Music Director and Conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene, and the Music Director/Conductor of the Abilene Youth Orchestra. He also serves as the conductor for the Ballet San Angelo yearly production of The Nutcracker and the conductor of the orchestra and faculty ensembles for the Tennessee Governor’s Schoo for the Arts. Previously, he was Music Director/Conductor of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra in Kalamazoo, MI. and Director of Bands at Hope College in Holland, MI. Prior to his appointment at Hope College, Dr. Ward was the Music Director/Conductor of the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestra in La Grande, OR, and Instructor of Music at Eastern Oregon University.
Dr. Ward holds a D.M.A. in Conducting from Michigan State University, an M.A. in Conducting from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a B.M. in Music Education from Abilene Christian University.
He has conducted extensively in many different areas, including orchestra, band, musical theater, opera, and contemporary music, and is a recipient of the ASCAP award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music. He spent 9 summers at the Interlochen Arts Camp, conducting the Interlochen Philharmonic, as well as middle school and high school bands and orchestras, and faculty ensembles. He has conducted many all-region and similar ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, region orchestras and bands throughout Texas (TMEA and ATSSB), Michigan, Tennessee, and others. Guest appearances include the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, the Midland Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and the Midland Festival Ballet.
Dr. Ward is Past President of the South-Central Region of the College Orchestra Directors Association, President of the Southwestern Division of the College Band Directors National Association, and a member of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Directors Association, the American String Teachers Association, and the Conductor’s Guild.
Jeanine Wheeler, Adjunct Instructor of Piano and Elementary Music
Jeanine Wheeler joined the HSU Department of Music as a staff pianist in 2016, bringing with her varied experience as a music therapist, educator, and performer. Having received her dual Bachelors in Music Education and Music Therapy from Radford University, with a dual emphasis in trumpet and piano, she taught elementary music, choirs, and various math and science courses at parochial schools throughout mid-Michigan before heading to the University of Kentucky to begin a Masters in Musicology. While in Lexington, Jeanine became well-known as a collaborative pianist and independent piano teacher while providing music therapy services in school systems throughout the state and continuing to teach elementary music in small rural schools.
Since arriving in West Texas, Jeanine has been active as a music therapist in community mental health and pediatric hospital settings, an independent piano teacher, a vocal coach specializing in musical theatre, and a performer in both Lubbock and Abilene. In 2017, she was invited to perform at the College Music Society International Conference in Sydney, Australia, along with a series of new music recitals hosted by Sunway University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She completed her master’s in Music Therapy at Colorado State University in December 2021.
The Hardin-Simmons University School of Music is and has been fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1930.
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- Music – Worship Leadership
- Music Education
- Music Performance
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- Music Minor
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Music Ensemble Opportunities
“The World Famous” Cowboy Band, an ensemble rich in history and tradition, has been an important part of HSU, Abilene, and West-Texas since its inception in April 1923. Membership in the Cowboy Band is open to all HSU students, both men and women, with prior high school band experience. The band regularly performs for football and basketball games, rodeos, presidential and gubernatorial inaugurations, parades, and many other campus and civic events. Presenting some 35 performances annually, it is one of the most widely heard and seen musical ensembles in all of West Texas!
With more than 110 years of tradition, the Concert Band is HSU’s largest musical ensemble. Its members typically represent more than 25 major programs offered at the university and include music majors, music minors, and non-music majors. The Concert Band performs four campus concerts each year and tours off campus every spring. The Concert Band has performed for audiences throughout Texas as well as Colorado, New Mexico, California, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Missouri.
The Concert Band’s performances draw from a wide variety of traditional and contemporary repertoire and have included regional premieres of significant works by Roger Cichy, Martin Ellerby, Julie Giroux, Adam Gorb, Yo Goto, Joe Hisaishi, Chang Su Koh, Coby Lankester, John Mackey, Jared Spears, Stephen Melillo, and Guy Woolfenden, as well as world premieres of works by Bernard Scherr, Jeffrey Cottrell, William Owens, and Daniel Porter.
The Concert Band has presented acclaimed performances at the College Band Directors National Association – 2008 Southwest Division Conference in Kansas City, MO, Texas Music Educators Association Convention, Baptist General Convention of Texas, and New Mexico Baptist Convention.
Some of the band’s most distinguished alumni include Colonel Brian Shelburne Jr., director of the United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” (1990-2000), Colonel Jack Grogan, director of the United States Army Field Band (1991-1999), and the late Dr. W. Francis McBeth, acclaimed composer and conductor. Additionally, nearly 10% (24) of all the members of the prestigious Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame were part of the HSU band program.
A large ensemble open to all university students by auditions held at the beginning of each fall semester. Concert Choir is designed for study and performance of representative works from choral schools since the sixteenth century. Concert Choir is the primary tour choir, and has performed by invitation throughout Texas.
View some of our performances on YouTube:
An ongoing, flexible organization designed to study and perform standard chamber music repertoire for various combinations of instruments. Open to all students by audition. Examples of some of our chamber groups include the Trombone Ensemble, the Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, and the Brass Quintet.
A large ensemble open to all university students. Chorale is designed for study and performance of major choral works. No audition is required for this ensemble. Students wishing to participate may enroll during registration for course credit, or choose to participate without credit to their transcript.
All students participating in University Chorale are required to give a placement hearing, the beginning of each fall semester. This hearing is for placement only, not as a requisite for enrollment.
The Hardin-Simmons Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell, is dedicated to the study and performance of Jazz in many different forms. We perform everything from swing music by the Count Basie band to progressive rock by King Crimson. We also have students that practice and perform in small combos as an outgrowth of the jazz ensemble, and feature them in performance on and off campus. The ensemble is open to anyone regardless of his or her major.
An ensemble which presents fully staged productions each year, as well as a course in the practical application and performing aspects of musical theater. Auditions are held periodically throughout the semester. Times and dates of these auditions are posted in the lobby of the Hemphill Music Building.
More about Musical Theatre at HSU.
A list of some past productions follows: Don Giovanni, Candide, Carmen, Albert Herring, The Ballad of Baby Doe, Die Fledermaus, The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, The Gondoliers, Hansel and Gretel, Suor Angelica, The Medium, Gianni Schicchi, Dido and Aeneas, Guys and Dolls, 110 In The Shade, Trouble in Tahiti, as well as others.
The Civic Orchestra of Abilene is sponsored primarily by the music departments of Hardin Simmons University, Abilene Christian University, and McMurry University,
Click on the following link for more information about Orchestra opportunities http://www.civicorchabilene.org/
Designed to develop sight-reading skills at the piano and explore two-piano/four hand literature. Instruction is also given in collaborative performance, including vocal, instrumental and chamber music. Performance opportunities are available as deemed appropriate by instructor.
Four semesters of Piano Ensemble is required for piano performance majors and open to other pianists by audition. Pianists should accompany at least two music students during the semester in which they are enrolled.
The school of Music at Hardin Simmons is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and was the very first music school in the state of Texas to receive accreditation. The program has been fully accredited by this organization since 1930.
Theta Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America received its charter in 1959. Phi Mu Alpha is a professional music fraternity for men interested in music. The main purpose of the fraternity is to advance the cause of music in America. The chapter has several projects during the school year such as co-sponsoring the “All-School Sing” with Sigma Alpha Iota and serving as stage assistants for all recitals in Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall. The main fundraising project for the chapter is the “All-School Sing,” with proceeds being used for scholarships and new equipment for HSU and the School of Music.
The Gamma Phi Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota was founded at HSU on February 4, 1961. It is an international fraternity for women in the field of music. The largest project locally is “All-School Sing,” co-sponsored with Phi Mu Alpha with all proceeds going to service projects such as the International Music Fund, scholarships, equipment, and materials for the School of Music. The Gamma Phi Chapter is supported by members of the former Abilene Alumnae Chapter of SAI. College membership is open to any music major or minor with a qualifying grade point average.
The Epsilon Pi Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda was founded at HSU in February 1984. Its primary objective is the recognition and encouragement of the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship. This national music honorary society chooses its members annually by invitation only according to class ranking and/or grade point average. There are over 130 chapters of Pi Kappa Lambda nationwide.
Music Educators National Conference and Texas Music Educators Association are organizations for music educators and are represented in the School of Music through a student affiliate chapter. By participation in this professional organization at the student level, one is better prepared to serve the profession following graduation. All music education majors, as well as students in other majors, are strongly encouraged to become active in the profession through participation in the student music educators chapter.