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Executive Director
Dick Clardy is the Executive Director of Choice Music Events. Choice Music Events is a not-for-profit organization that plans and hosts music festivals and events all over the United States.
Mr. Clardy was recently the Director of Bands and the Department Chair of Fine Arts at Klein High School in Klein, Texas from 2001 though 2007. Mr. Clardy is a native Texan, having begun his musical career under the direction of J. R. McEntyre in the Permian High School Band and Orchestra. Mr. Clardy received the Bachelor of Music Education Degree from West Texas State University, a Master of Music Degree in Applied Trumpet from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and has done Doctoral work at The University of North Texas.
Mr. Clardy performed as principal trumpet with the United States Army Field Band in Washington, D.C. in 1972, and in 1976 was selected to perform on a national tour with The United States Armed Forces Bicentennial Band along with musicians from all Washington, D.C., Bands.
In 1977, Mr. Clardy began his teaching career in his hometown of Odessa, Texas, with Bill Dean, at Odessa High School. In 1978, Mr. Clardy was invited to serve on the trumpet faculty at The University of North Texas for a one-year appointment as a colleague, and finally, a student of Professor John J. Haynie. Mr. Clardy taught at Strickland Junior High School in Denton, Marcus High School in Flower Mound, and started the band program at Griffin Middle School in 1982.
Prior to his appointment to Klein High School, Mr. Clardy spent fifteen years developing the band and orchestra program at The Colony High School in The Colony, Texas. Bands under Mr. ClardyÕs direction have performed at the Midwest Clinic in 1994, the TMEA Convention-Clinic as the TMEA Class 5A Honor Band in 1997, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in 1997, the Midwest Clinic in 1998, the American Bandmasters Association Convention in Austin in 2000, the Chicago Symphony Hall in 2004 and Carnegie Hall in 2001 and 2006. The John Philip Sousa Foundation honored The Colony Band with The Sudler Flag of Honor in 1994. Bands under Mr. ClardyÕs direction have been named Best In Class at every major Concert Band Festival in the country and have been consistent participants in the Texas State UIL Marching Contest since 1988 and a top 5 finish in the TMEA Honor Band process since 1986. Composers that have been commissioned by Mr. Clardy for new works for band include Dan Welcher, Martin Mailman and Eric Whitacre. The Klein Marching Band recently advanced and competed in the 2004 and 2006 Texas State UIL Marching Contest. The Grammy Foundation selected the Klein High School Fine Arts Department as a Signature School in 2000 and 2004.
Mr. Clardy is an active performing musician, clinician and conductor. He has guest conducted the United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C. and the University of Florida Wind Symphony. He was named Teacher of the Year in 1988-1989 and was honored by the Parent Teacher Association as a Lifetime Member. Mr. Clardy served as the President of the Texas Music Educators Association in 2000 and previously on the TMEA Executive Board as the State Band Division Chair from 1998-1999, and the TMEA State Audition Chair from 1993 to 1997. Mr. Clardy is an elected for member of the prestigious The American Bandmasters Association. He is also a member of Phi Beta Mu and currently serves on the ABA/Ostwald Band Composition Adjudication Committee. In 2005, Mr. Clardy received the Meritorious Service Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association.
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Event Coordinator
Carolyn Botkin bas been on staff with Director's Choice and Choice Music Events since 2003. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Family & Consumer Science Education and was a stay-at-home mom for 17 years. She and her husband, Tommy, were involved in the West Texas cotton farming industry for over 20 years. They have two children, Emily, a junior, and Callie, a sophomore both at Texas Tech. They are also the proud grandparents of Brady & Cooper! They are members of the First Baptist Church of Tahoka and love to sing in the church choir.
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Event Coordinator
Zac Miller began working for Choice Music Events in January, 2006. He attended Texas Tech University where he earned a music performance degree in percussion and a business administration degree in marketing. During his undergraduate work, he enjoyed performing in many different ensembles including the Texas Tech Steel Drum Band, "Apocolypso Now," the school's Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, and the "Goin' Band From Raiderland." He is currently working on his Master in Business Administration degree part-time at Texas Tech University. During his free time he enjoys playing drums, playing golf, and hanging out with Marcie, his fiancee.
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Event Coordinator
Rick Yancey is Orchestra director and Director of Instrumental Music at Lamar High School in Houston. He grew up in Texas City Texas, where he played in the Texas City bands under Mr. Robert Renfro, and won All State honors twice. While at the University of Houston, he was principal clarinet of the University Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble under A. Clyde Roller and James Mathews. Mr. Yancey attended the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado and was principal clarinet of the Chamber Symphony. As a clarinetist, he has performed with the Rapides and Lake Charles Orchestras in Louisiana, and in Houston with Theater Under the Stars (TUTS), the Houston Ballet and Houston Pops Orchestra. Now in his 31st year of teaching, Mr. Yancey has taken his high school bands and orchestras to New York, Washington DC, Durango Colorado, Chicago, London England and Nassau. Mr. Yancey was region 17 band chairman of the Texas Music Educators Association for ten years and Area F chairman. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Phi Beta Mu. As head band director at Elkins High School in Fort Bend ISD, the Elkins Band won 14 consecutive UIL sweepstakes awards. 8 CD recordings of Elkins Band performances are available through Mark Custom Recordings. Previous teaching positions include Clements High School, Stratford High School, Westchester High School, Westchester Jr. High, and Northbrook Middle School. Mr. Yancey is married to Jill Yancey, who is head band director at Sugar Land Middle School. Their son, Chris, graduated from the University of Texas and is a band director at Monterey High School in Lubbock.
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