Directors

Jeff Lightsey, Director of Bands for Smithson Valley High School, is a product of the Austin Independent School District, graduating from Austin High School in 1986.  While attending Austin High School, Mr. Lightsey played tuba under the direction of Rosendo Saunchez and Lafalco Robinson.  He served as drum major from 1984-1986, and was a member of the TMEA All-State Band for three years.

Mr. Lightsey enrolled at The University of Texas were he majored in Music Education.  While at UT, he studied tuba with Steven Bryant, and conducted with Paula Crider.  His ensemble experience includes five years in Longhorn Band, two years in Wind Ensemble, three years in Symphony band, and one year in Concert Choral.  Mr. Lightsey earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Education in 1991, completing his course work while student teaching in Llano, Texas with director Charlie Munsell.  In the spring of 1992, Mr. Lightsey became the assistant director for the Alpine Bands, working with director Mike Glaze through 1994.  Under his direction, the Alpine Middle School Band grew from 77 students, grades 6-8, to 180 students, and achieved the first and only Sweepstakes Award in school history.

In 1994, Mr. Lightsey attended Baylor University, where he served as the graduate assistant for the Baylor Marching Band, under the direction of Jerry Luckhardt, and performed with the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Mike Haithcock conductor.  While attending graduate school, Mr. Lightsey studied tuba with Michael Fischer, oboe with Dr. Doris DeLoach, and clarinet with Dr. Richard Schanley.  Mr. Lightsey helped establish the concert band as a legitimate ensemble, serving as the assistant conductor in the spring of 1995 and 1996.

Upon graduation in 1996, Mr. Lightsey served as director of bands for Comfort ISD, and again for Alpine ISD.  In 1999 Mr. Lightsey and his wife Molly accepted positions with Comal ISD, and settled in New Braunfels.  In the spring of 2000, Mr. Lightsey took the opportunity to return to Austin ISD, accepting a position with Anderson High School and the Trojan Band.  While enjoying great success at Anderson High School, the Lightsey family never left New Braunfels.  In 2003, Mr. Lightsey returned to Comal ISD, and Smithson Valley High School.

Mr. Lightsey and his wife Molly have two young sons, Hunter and Clark, who hopefully will grow up to be Smithson Valley Rangers.  Mr. Lightsey is currently a 16 year veteran of the Texas Army National Guard, serving with the historic 36^th Army Band.  When not at school working with the Ranger Band, Mr. Lightsey enjoys running, model railroading, reading, and science fiction.

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Jeff Yates is Assistant Director of Bands/Percussion Coordinator at Smithson Valley High School. Mr. Yates grew up in the thriving metropolis of Yazoo City, Mississippi, where he graduated from Yazoo City High School in 1983. While attending Yazoo City H.S., Mr. Yates was very active in the high school band. His senior year he was selected to the Mississippi Honor Band, Mississippi High School Band Directors Association Clinic Band, and was a charter member of the prestigious All-South Honor Band. At the Alcorn University Jazz Festival, Mr. Yates earned best drummer and outstanding musician awards.

After high school, Mr. Yates attended Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, where he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree. During his time at DSU, Mr. Yates served as wind ensemble section leader and percussion arranger/section leader for the marching band. He was selected three times to the Mississippi All-Star Collegiate Percussion Ensemble and twice performed on DSU’s Honor Recital.

Upon graduation, Mr. Yates taught for three years as Assistant Band Director with Gulfport High School. While living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mr. Yates had the opportunity to perform with a wide variety of groups in the area, including: Gulf Coast Opera, Gulf Coast Playhouse, the Kinetic Neo-Skene Theater, Blue Stars Orchestra, Pieces of Eight Jazz Band, and the Mississippi Symphonic Winds.

In 1995, Mr. Yates moved to Texas where he has served as Associate Band Director with the East Central High School Band. He was twice named in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. During his time in San Antonio, Mr. Yates has been an active teacher and performer. From 1997-2002, Mr. Yates served as percussion instructor with the Brookhollow Academy of Music and was the 2004-2005 Front Ensemble Tech with the Drum Corps International affiliated Revolution Percussion Ensemble, Texas Color Guard Circuit 2005 Independent A State Champions. Mr. Yates has performed locally with the San Antonio Municipal Band, the Sheldon-Vexler Theater, and recently recorded with the Southern Music Company’s Recording Ensemble where he can be heard performing the snare drum parts on SMC’s new music CD.

Mr. Yates currently resides in Universal City, with his wife Suzy, and a host of critters.

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David Stephenson grew up in Lubbock, Texas and attended Monterey High School.  He received Bachelor of Music Degree from Texas Tech University where he was Drum Major of the Marching Band for two years.  Mr. Stephenson started teaching at John H. Wood Middle School in North East ISD and taught there for three years.  He is currently the Director of Bands at Spring Branch Middle School where he conducts all three concert bands, the jazz band and helps with the Smithson Valley High School Wind Ensemble.

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Chelsy Merrill graduated from Grapevine High School in 1993.  Upon graduation, Mrs. Merrill auditioned for an assignment in the Marine Corps Band.  She passed the audition, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  Mrs. Merrill graduated from boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina in December of 1993.  After completion of the Basic Course in the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia,  Mrs. Merrill was assigned to the 4^th Marine Aircraft Wing Band in New Orleans.  Chelsy was a saxophonist and vocalist in the band for three years.  While in the band, she obtained the rank of Sergeant and performed at many high profile events to include performances for former President Clinton and memorial services for the Oklahoma City Bombing.

After her honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Mrs. Merrill attended college at Hill College in both Hillsboro and Cleburne, Texas.  Mrs. Merrill graduated Magna Cum Laude and received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas in 2002.  While at Texas Wesleyan, she performed on the Presidential Honors Concert and received numerous academic accolades.

Upon college graduation, Mrs. Merrill was a band director in Blanco, Texas for two years.  Her bands in Blanco received the first Division one ratings in over thirty years.

In addition to assisting with the Smithson Valley High School Marching Band, Chelsy Merrill is the Assistant Band Director at Spring Branch Middle School.  She directs the Concert Band and assists with both the Symphonic and Varsity bands.  She also teaches all of the woodwind beginners at Arlon Seay Intermediate School.

Chelsy resides in San Antonio with her husband, Craig and two children, Haylie and Piercen.  Haylie is a 5^th grader at Arlon Seay Intermediate School and Piercen is a 3^rd grader at Bill Brown Elementary School.  They are all very proud to be members of the Smithson Valley Ranger family.

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