JORGE ALARCON

DIRECTOR OF BANDS

Jorge Alarcon is in his 3rd year as Director of Bands at South Hills High School in Fort ​Worth, TX where he directs the South Hills High School Wind Symphony, Marching Band, ​Pep Band, and serves as the Fine Arts Chair. Mr. Alarcon holds a Bachelor of Music ​Education (2016) from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. During ​his time at Northwestern State he performed with the Spirit of Northwestern Demon ​Marching Band, Purple Haze Pep Band, NSU Wind Ensemble, Magale Concert Band, and ​with the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra.

Under the direction of Mr. Alarcon, The South Hills High School Marching Band has ​qualified for the Area F marching contest two consecutive years. This was the programs ​first 5A Area appearance in program history. (2022, 2023) The South Hills High School ​Wind Symphony also earned its first Sweepstakes at the 2024 5A UIL Concert & Sight ​Reading Evaluation. The South Hills High School Pep Band was invited to fill in for the ​East Carolina University Pep Band to perform at the 2023 AAC Basketball Tournament.

Mr. Alarcon was the former principal Tubist with the New Texas Symphony Orchestra in ​Dallas, TX. (2017-2022)

Mr. Alarcon was chosen for a once in a lifetime chance to march in a band of band ​directors from across the country in the 2021 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. This is ​the first opportunity for band directors to participate in an event of this nature in the ​history of the Rose Parade. This newly created band of directors will accompany and be ​integrated with a beautiful float honoring the role band directors play in the nurturing ​and development of the young people they serve. The 2021 Rose Parade is educator ​focused and the theme is “Dream, Believe, Achieve”, three primary tenants of education.

Prior to South Hills, Mr. Alarcon was Director of Bands at Rusk Middle School in Dallas ISD ​where he taught the beginner percussion and brass classes, as well as directed the ​Varsity, Non-Varsity, and Beginner bands. Mr. Alarcon has a strong track record of ​success and steady growth within his concert ensembles. He also coached football, ​baseball, and soccer with plenty of achievement’s within each sport.

In 2014 and 2015, he marched contra for Louisiana Stars Drum & Bugle Corps in its ​inaugural year and Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps. In 2015, Blue Knights Drum & Bugle ​Corps placed 6th in the DCI World Championship World Class Finals in Indianapolis, IN. ​Mr. Alarcon joined the Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps brass staff for the summers of ​2017 & 2018. Southwind performed on the biggest night of the summer at Drum Corps ​International Open Class Finals where they placed in the top 12 both summers.

Mr. Alarcon’s professional affiliations include, The Texas Music Educators Association and ​Texas Band Masters Association.

GARRETT ADAMS

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Mr. Adams currently serves as Assistant Director of Bands and Percussion Coordinator for ​South Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Adams instructs the Scorpion Marching ​Band and Drumline, directs the Symphonic Band, and coordinates the percussion studio. ​Mr. Adams joined the South Hills HS staff in the fall of 2015.

Mr. Adams graduated from Texas Christian University where he received his bachelor's ​degree in Music-Education. While at TCU, Mr. Adams performed with many concert and ​marching ensembles, including the TCU Symphony Orchestra, and the Percussion ​Orchestra and Ensembles. He can be heard on the Percussion Orchestra's professional ​recording, "Prelude to Paradise", and was a part of the ensemble's 2011 "Call for Tapes" ​Concert for the Percussive Arts Society. He also performed in the 2012 Marching ​Champion TCU Indoor-Drumline.

Mr. Adams is a proud educational endorser for Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets. ​His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educator's Association, the Texas ​Bandmaster's Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the Percussive Arts Society.

When not performing with community ensembles, Mr. Adams loves to travel across the ​country and visit various theme parks and attractions, with his favorite being Disney ​World

MACKENZIE OGBORN

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Mackenzie is entering her first year at South Hills High School where she will serve as ​the Assistant Band Director, Assistant Marching Band Director, Assistant Pep Band ​Director, and Woodwind Coordinator.

Ms. Ogborn is originally from Abilene, TX where she went to school in Wylie ISD ​graduating from Wylie HS. She then went to Baylor University where she received a ​degree in Music Education. During her time at Baylor, she performed with the Baylor ​Symphonic Band, Courtside players and served as a Squad Leader and Office ​Manager for the Golden Wave Band. At Baylor, Ms. Ogborn studied with Dr. Isaiah ​Odajima, Mr. Danny Goldman, and Mr. Ran Kampel.

During her free time, Ms. Ogborn likes to read, go on adventures, spend time with ​friends and family, and play with her cat, Monty.