Choice Music Events is pleased to announce the addition of Mr. Rick Yancey to its team of event coordinators. Mr. Yancey will take the lead for Choice Music Events' "Music Across Texas" and "Mark of Excellence" events. Dick Clardy, the Executive Director for Choice Music Events stated, "We are very pleased that Rick Yancey has joined the Choice Music Events' staff. I have had the pleasure of knowing Rick professionally and socially for many years. He adds a tremendous amount of credibility to any project that he is associated. His extensive experience in teaching, along with his vast and incredible music skills will benefit our company and more importantly our customers and their students. Rick has sustained a high level of performance from his ensembles throughout his career and he will function at a high level here at Choice Music Events. Welcome Rick!"

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.