There have been multiple newsworthy events for the Lake Highlands Jr. High Band in the last few days!  First, congratulations to the LHJH Band for qualifying for the TMEA State Honor Band competition!  They will be the lone RISD representative next month at the STATE level — congratulations to Mrs. Zenteno and the LHJH band on an EXTREMELY high honor!

Also, we have a new staff member joining the LH team as an additional Assistant Band Director at Lake Highlands Jr. High.  Welcome to Mr. Luke Wingfield!  He is a highly successful Lake Highlands band alumnus.  Check out his bio below and please join us next Thursday, June 29th from 5-6:30pm in the LHJH Band Hall parking lot for a snowcone from the Kona Ice truck, as well as a chance to high five one another and meet Mr. Wingfield. All current, future, and past LHJH band members and their families are welcome!  Bring your lawn chairs, other snacks, and sunscreen.

Mr. Wingfield attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, where he performed with the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Quintet, Jazz Band, and Horned Frog Marching Band. After obtaining an undergraduate degree in Music Education from TCU and a short stint as an assistant at Richardson High School, Wingfield decided to pursue a Master’s in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas.

While in his Master’s at UNT, Luke was fortunate enough to perform in the multiple GRAMMY nominated One O’Clock Lab Band, in the role of jazz soloist. With the One O’Clock, Wingfield toured in California and Australia, headlining at both the Next-Gen and Generations In Jazz festivals. Through the band, Wingfield had the opportunity of playing with many jazz artists at the forefront of the modern scene, including Stefon Harris, Sean Jones, Danilo Perez, Dennis Mackrel, James Morrison, and many others. Luke played in the band under the direction of both the legendary Jay Saunders and current director and former writer for the Airmen of Note, Alan Baylock. He can be heard on Lab 2016 and Lab 2017. Mr. Wingfield has also conducted the 9 O’Clock, 6 O’Clock, and 5 O’Clock Lab Bands as a part of his duties at UNT.

Besides teaching, Mr. Wingfield has maintained a healthy performance career, and can be heard playing at Dallas and Fort Worth’s many jazz clubs and wedding venues.