Andrew Twiss
Associate Director of Bands
Andrew Twiss serves as Associate Director of Bands at Huntsville High School where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, assists with the marching band, leads the Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Lab Band. He also assists with the Mance Park Middle School Jazz Band. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Oklahoma State University while studying saxophone and jazz with Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert and Dr. Tommy Poole. While at OSU, Mr. Twiss was a National Chamber Music Finalist in the MTNA Competition and a drum major for the Cowboy Marching Band. Through his experience with the OSU jazz program, Mr. Twiss has performed with acclaimed artists such as Stockton Helbing, Christian McBride, and Wycliffe Gordon.
The Huntsville ISD Jazz Program has grown tremendously over the past few years. The HS Jazz Ensemble regularly performs at school functions, community events, and area Jazz Festivals. Last year, they were invited to perform for a Texas State Board of Education session at the State Capitol in Austin. They have also performed on band trips to Orlando and New York City. In 2023, the MPMS Jazz Band performed for the first time at the SHSU Bill Watrous Jazz Festival and won First Place. Mr. Twiss also supervises the student-led jazz combo program to foster small-group improvisation.
Mr. Twiss plays tenor saxophone in the Eurus Saxophone Quartet. ESQ is a group of Houston area educators/saxophonists whose focus is to serve students through outreach performances and clinics, commissioning new music, and forging meaningful connections through performances. ESQ was selected to present at the 2018 Midwest International Band Clinic in Chicago.
When not at the band hall Mr. Twiss enjoys road cycling on weekends, drinking coffee, practicing saxophone, and listening to all different kinds of music.
Mr. Twiss' professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educator's Association, Texas Bandmaster's Association, Texas Jazz Educator's Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.
The Huntsville ISD Jazz Program has grown tremendously over the past few years. The HS Jazz Ensemble regularly performs at school functions, community events, and area Jazz Festivals. Last year, they were invited to perform for a Texas State Board of Education session at the State Capitol in Austin. They have also performed on band trips to Orlando and New York City. In 2023, the MPMS Jazz Band performed for the first time at the SHSU Bill Watrous Jazz Festival and won First Place. Mr. Twiss also supervises the student-led jazz combo program to foster small-group improvisation.
Mr. Twiss plays tenor saxophone in the Eurus Saxophone Quartet. ESQ is a group of Houston area educators/saxophonists whose focus is to serve students through outreach performances and clinics, commissioning new music, and forging meaningful connections through performances. ESQ was selected to present at the 2018 Midwest International Band Clinic in Chicago.
When not at the band hall Mr. Twiss enjoys road cycling on weekends, drinking coffee, practicing saxophone, and listening to all different kinds of music.
Mr. Twiss' professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educator's Association, Texas Bandmaster's Association, Texas Jazz Educator's Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Email: adtwiss@huntsville-isd.org