Richard Thomas

Director of Bands

Richard Thomas is the Director of Bands for the Red Oak ISD. Mr. Thomas is a proud alumnus of Richland High School in the Birdville ISD where he was a horn player, drum major, and student of Jim Van Zandt, Jim Sharples, Eddie Lynge, and Byron Gray (and of Fred Allen’s in junior high) He earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Baylor University, where he studied conducting with Michael Haithcock and Jay Gilbert. Previously, Mr. Thomas has directed bands in the Klein, Birdville, Arlington, and Keller school districts. His high school and junior high bands have received consistent Superior ratings at UIL contests, and have also been recognized at several band festivals as “Best in Class” and “Overall Grand Champion.” He has served as a Concert/Sightreading adjudicator in several UIL contests around the state of Texas, and has judged marching contests in Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He has also served as camp clinician/conductor for summer band camps at Baylor University and Sam Houston State University. As a performer, Mr. Thomas has performed with the Texas Wind Symphony, the Wichita Falls Symphony, Symphony North of Houston, and the Houston Symphonic Band. Recently, he also served for two seasons as the Music Director/Conductor of The Northeast Orchestra.

Mr. Thomas is married to Sarah, who was a former band director herself in the Mansfield ISD, and a former member of the LD Bell Band and the Midwestern State University Band. After being a stay-at-home mom for five years, she is now teaching elementary school music—back in the Mansfield ISD. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the proud parents of fraternal twin 8-year old daughters, Rachel and Rebekah, who will be in the 3rd grade for the upcoming school year.

Mr. Thomas has had a widely-varied life and career. He has done work in the antiques business, worked as a mortgage loan officer, and most recently, served as a full-time Music/Worship Pastor. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing his horn (when he gets the chance!), playing golf, and reading.

Phillip Cadenhead

Assistant Director of Bands

Mr. Cadenhead is originally from Crestview High School, in Florida. He has an undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University, a master's degree from the University of North Texas, and a winning smile. His previous teaching positions have been at Mesquite High School and Barnett Junior High School.

He is married to Lindsay, who is a band director at Boles Junior HS in Arlington (and she is former student of Mr. Thomas' from Bowie High School!). Phillip and Lindsay are the proud parents of a 3-year old son, Alex, and to the newest member of the Red Oak Band family, their 3-month old son, Ashton.

Lindsay Cadenhead

Red Oak Junior High Band Director

Anthony Smith

Red Oak ISD Percussion Coordinator

Anthony Smith is a proud alumnus of the University of Texas where he marched in the Longhorn Band for 5 years, serving 3 years as a section leader in the drumline, and received his bachelors of arts degree in music. He was raised in Bedford, Texas, where he had the privilage of beginning his music education in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district and marching in the LD Bell High School Band, a 3-time Bands Of America national champion, in which Mr. Smith was a first chair Texas All-State percussionist. He has taught as the percussion director for Stephen F. Austin HS in Austin, and has also done teaching work with Westlake HS, the Austin All-City Band, Rhythmic Force Winter Drumline, and freelance work with a variety of top percussion teachers and programs in the state.

Erica Scott

Red Oak Intermediate Band Director

Erica Scott is originally from Michigan.  Ms. Scott received her Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Texas at Arlington and is teaching her fourth year with the Red Oak ISD band program. While at the University of Texas at Arlington, Ms. Scott studied oboe with Dr. James Hobbs and Dr. Charles Veazey (UNT).  In addition to studying oboe at UTA, Ms. Scott studied percussion with Mr. Jeff Ausdemore and Mr. Jim Yakas.  During her time at UTA, Ms. Scott was involved with many playing groups including the UTA Marching Band, where she was section leader for their front ensemble and winter line two years in a row. She also served as Parliamentarian and Treasurer of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Service Sorority at the University of Texas at Arlington.  Ms. Scott completed her student teaching in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, working with both the Colleyville-Heritage High School and Heritage Middle School bands.   During her student teaching experience with Colleyville-Heritage High School, Ms. Scott had the opportunity to direct the front ensemble, which earned the "Best Front Ensemble" caption award at the Plano East Drumline Competition. Ms. Scott is an active front ensemble clinician across the state of Texas. She also was the orchestra director for the Waxahachie Community Theatre for two years. Ms. Scott actively plays Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, and Bassoon as a professional musician in the metroplex.

Ms. Scott currently resides in Waxahachie with her husband Steven Scott. She enjoys horseback riding, reading, and traveling.  Ms. Scott is currently in pursuit of her Master's in Educational Leadership.

T.J. Jordan

Color Guard Director

Jessi Fazio

Visual Tech

John Lewis

Percussion Tech

Emily Welch

Cymbal Tech