AHS COLTS Band Booster Club
Directors
Michael Hejny
Director of Bands
Michael Hejny has been the Director of Bands at Arlington High School since 2002 . Since his arrival at Arlington High School, the band has almost tripled in size and has become the largest and arguably the most successful band program in the city of Arlington. Prior to coming to AHS, Mr. Hejny was the associate director of Bands at Lamar High School in Arlington, Director of Bands and Fine Arts Coordinator in Fort Stockton ISD, as well as many other positions over the past twenty-five years.
Mr. Hejny’s bands have earned numerous years of Division I in marching, as well as advancing to area and state marching contest. His concert bands have earned numerous sweepstakes awards, as well as two Region Honor Band titles and one Area Honor Band title. His students have distinguished themselves at the city, region and state levels of competition. Under his direction, the Colt Band has won top Festival Honors in New York, Washington D.C., Orlando FL, New Orleans LA, St. Louis MO, and Atlanta GA. At home in Texas, the Colt Band has earned over 40 Sweepstakes awards over the past 18 years as well as numerous trips to Area Marching Contest and Finals competitions.
Michael Hejny was a member of the NHS, PAC, JETS and graduated as third ranking student, at Ennis High School in 1980. He earned his BM ed. and his M.M. at East Texas State University and has studied under James Keane (currently Univ. of Ill.) and Gary W. Hill (currently University of Arizona). Mr. Hejny is a member of TMEA, TBA and TMAA as well as holding I.B. Music Level III certification.
As a strong believer in the value music education, Mr. Hejny serves on many committees to promote the growth of fine arts and enjoys working with young musicians through workshops, clinics and judging opportunities whenever his schedule will allow.
Mr. Hejny, and his wife Sandra have 5 children, and 2 grandchildren. With 3 children still in college, Mr. Hejny understands the challenges of parents and families.
Nathan Burum
Assistant Director
Nathan Burum has been at AHS for 9 years and is the director of the Symphonic band. He founded the Basketball Band where the band adds a fun and dynamic atmosphere for both women’s and men’s teams. Prior to coming to AHS, Mr. Burum taught band at Ferguson JH and Williams Elementary for two years. Mr. Burum is very familiar with the successful bands in the area as he is a product of the Arlington ISD having attended Butler ES, Shackelford JH, and Lamar HS. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Tech University where he studied under Anthony Brittin and Christopher Smith. At Tech, Mr. Burum performed under the direction of Keith Bearden with the Concert Band, Court Jesters, and the Goin’ Band from Raiderland where he was Section Leader and a Band Wagon Driver. He is currently working on his Master’s degree from the Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Ill. Mr. Burum comes from a long line of educators who teach or have taught in Arlington and the surrounding area.
Nathan Hervey
Assistant Director
Nathan Hervey is the director of concert band and jazz ensembles and assists with the Marching Band. Mr. Hervey is a graduate of Bowie HS, UT Arlington and The University of North Texas where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree in Trombone performance. While at UTA he performed with the jazz orchestra, wind ensemble, trombone choir, jazz combo and the Marching Band. While at UNT, he performed with the Symphony Orchestra, trombone choir and the 2 o'clock lab band.
