Richard Hicks is in his twelfth year as Director of Bands at Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas. At Lake Travis, Hicks oversees a thriving program of over 200 students with performance opportunities including marching band, four concert bands, jazz band, full orchestra, percussion ensembles, chamber ensembles, and colorguard. Mr. Hicks holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Music degree in Applied Music from the University of Houston.

Under the direction of Richard Hicks, the Lake Travis Wind Ensemble has been a consistent Texas UIL “Sweepstakes'' winner. The ensemble was selected as a TMEA 6A Honor Band Area finalist in 2022 and State finalist in 2024. The Lake Travis Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the 78th Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December of 2024, and attended the Music For All National Concert Band Festival in 2016. The Lake Travis High School Marching Band advanced to the Texas UIL State Marching Contest in 2011, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The marching band was a Bands of America Super Regional Finalist in 2019 and 2022, as well as a Bands of America Regional Finalist in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023. The Lake Travis Brass Quintet performed at the 2022 UIL State Chamber Competition and attended the 2023 Fischoff Chamber Competition. This year, the Lake Travis Astraea Saxophone Quartet was a Bronze Medalist at the 2024 Fischoff Chamber Competition, Silver Medalist at the Coltman National Chamber Competition, and performed at the UIL State Chamber Competition. 
 
Richard Hicks began his career in education in 2000 as Associate Band Director at Tomball High School in Houston, Texas, where he served as Director of the Symphonic Winds and marching band. Under his direction, Mr. Hicks established consistent UIL Sweepstakes for the Tomball non‐varsity band. In 2005, he joined the faculty at the University of Houston, serving as a graduate assistant for university bands. In that capacity, Mr. Hicks was Co‐Director of the symphonic band, concert band, and assisted in all aspects of running a university band program. He also served as Assistant Director of the Cougar Brass and the Spirit of Houston Marching Band.
 
From 2006 to 2013, Mr. Hicks served as Head Band Director at J. Frank Dobie High School in Houston. During his time at Dobie High School, Mr. Hicks functioned as lead coordinator for over 200 student‐musicians, as well as winter guard, jazz and marching bands. Additionally, he served as Co‐Director of the school’s full orchestra, as well as various musicals and activities within the Fine Arts department. Bands under Mr. Hicks’ direction have received numerous first division “Sweepstakes” ratings in marching and concert contests as well as “Best in Class” awards throughout the state and nation, including performances at the National Concert Band Festival in 2008 and 2011.
 
Mr. Hicks is a member of the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity.
 

 

Email: hicksr@ltisdschools.org

Phone: 512.533.6134