Brandon Downs has been Director of Bands at Rockwall High School since July of 2016.  In his time at Rockwall, the marching band has received all first division ratings, qualified as a finalist at the prestigious Duncanville Marching Invitational, and qualified for the UIL State Marching Band Contest. Rockwall’s concert bands have also flourished during Mr. Downs’s time at RHS. The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band have each earned superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest in 2017,2018,  and 2019 earning the sweepstakes award, with Concert Band receiving superior ratings on stage in 2018 and the sweepstakes award in 2019. Rockwall High School’s Jazz I, under the direction of Mr. Jarrod Beard, was named the Invited Jazz Band for the 2018 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic and Convention. 

Prior to joining the staff at Rockwall High School, Downs was Director of Bands at R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. During the year Mr. Downs spent at Turner, the Lion Band earned their first sweepstakes award since 2012. Before going to R.L. Turner, Mr. Downs spent the first 11 years of his career in Mesquite ISD with the last 9 of those being as the associate director at North Mesquite High School, where he helped to grow the program from 120 students to over 325 students.​

Mr. Downs is a native of Paris, TX and an alumnus of Paris High School. He graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2004. While at Texas A&M Commerce, Mr. Downs had the privilege of studying Horn with Michael Morrow of the Dallas Opera Orchestra and Dallas Winds, and conducting with Dr. Bradley Kent, Director of UIL Music.

Mr. Downs is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Texas Bandmasters Association.

Orange Wave Band Website