Pam Hyatt Named HPHS Band Director
While assistant director Chris Evetts was handed the baton after Tim Gunter’s unceremonious departure as Highland Park High School’s director of bands, HPISD officials decided to import its newest band director, Pam Hyatt, from China Spring ISD, which is just outside Waco.
Hyatt became the school district’s director of bands in 2008. Previously, Hyatt held similar posts at China Spring Middle School and China Spring High School, where she led her charges to consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Awards. Pretty impressive stuff.
“I am excited to build the band program to the caliber of other programs already in place at Highland Park,” Hyatt said in a statement from the district. “I look forward to making Highland Park my new home for many, many years.”
I’m sure parents hope that Hyatt will stick with the school a bit longer than the two previous Highland Park High School band directors. Gunter resigned his post after just a year and a half, while his predecessor, Joel Weisberg, resigned after almost three years with the program.
Outside of the band hall, Hyatt, a 2002 Baylor grad, enjoys spending time with her husband, Brandon, and their 2-year-old son, Aiden.
You will love Pam Hyatt! As a former resident of the Park Cities and now a resident of China Spring, I can only say that our loss is your definite gain. I have known Pam since she was a student teacher and I have worked very closely with her as Band Booster President. We will miss her terribly. her husband Brandon is a talented musician as well. I have worked with him also. Please welcome her and embrace her enthusiasm.
Thank you to Mr. Kelly for his efforts and leadership in the hiring process. As a band parent, I am pleased to welcome Ms. Hyatt to our band family. Thank you, Paula, for your endorsement. Change is often difficult and we’ve had our share! We look forward to a period of strong directorial leadership and stability for our district band program.
Thank you also to Mr. Evetts for his willingness to step into an unexpected role this semester as head director. He successfully lead our band to straight “1” ratings this spring, managed a successful band trip to Corpus Cristi, and brought our Jazz Band to peak performance. (If you haven’t heard the Jazz Band this year you are really missing out!) His creativity and enthusiasm are also greatly appreciated. I hope he stays with us.
Check out the Jazz band at the next concert on the 13th! You’ll be blown away… looking forward to a full “symphony” event next year as well, wind and strings together for a full experience . Nice to have a musician at the helm.
This woman is AWESOME!!!! She is the reason I would come into the band hall everyday and why I looked forward to fourth period. I still will because I love music, but it definitely won’t be the same. I know that you all are probably excited for change, but it is very hard in Cougar Band Land. Mrs. Hyatt is one of the sweetest, most understanding people I have ever met. She is my venting partner; I can tell her anything. I can walk in her office, shut the door, and look at her and say we need to talk. There have been so many memories in her office, mainly because it smells better in there, but now it’s time to make some more memories. She’s always told me that she is proud of me, but now it’s my turn because I am very proud of her and I understand that this is just the next step in her life. In our lives people come and people go, but she will never leave, she will always have a place in our band hall…forever. Please treat her nicely because if not the Cougar Band Clan will be taking a trip to defend our leader. She is someone that will touch your heart. There is a big spot in mine that is dedicated to her. This is definitely not easy, but you are getting a very talented musician. I must say she is one hell of a flute player so you can check that off your list. Hint: she is a Starbucks Worshipper. Just keep that in mind in case she threatens to stick her heal down south. As long as it is the right one because the left one still has some unfinished business to attend to. Now this comment is very hard to write because I have been chosen to be one of the drum majors for next year and I have waited since sixth grade to be drum major for her. When she came to help out my beginner class one day and she walked in and said, “Ashlyn, you’re finally here! I’m so excited”! Well, when she left, I turned to one of my friends and I said, “I will be drum major for her some day”. Now how would a sixth grader know what a drum major is? My dad is a director of bands so I’ve been around those long friday night football games since before I was born. It was pretty much implied when I joined band. We belive that she has this magic fairy dust that she carries around and sprinkles on things. She will be taking some with her, but she’ll be leaving some with us. As long as your embrace her and welcome her with open arms, she will be so happy to come to work everyday. When you see that big smile she has go from ear to ear, you know that she’s in a good mood. When you see the glare, that is the time to run to Starbucks. She is my best friend and she will be deeply missed. You can’t replace her. She is one for whomever comes in after her, they will have some large shoes to fill. They could be small because she doesn’t have the biggest shoe size, but anyway she is awesome! We love you Mrs. Hyatt!!!!<3 (I love you the most though;)You will always have a home here.
I hate to break it to you all, but she will be staying at China Spring.
Welcome to Ms. Hyatt as Band Director to HPHS!! I know she will have her work cut out for her to make this the band it once was in the 1970’s. We once had 250 in the band to include 27 pipers that lined the front row. (We even made a record)!! It was a lot of work under Mr. Bob Jordan, however, we all worked hard, had a good time, developed good friends and provided a good half-time show for everyone at all of the games. It is sad that someone had the distaste to “trash” the office, just get over that hurdle, clean up and start over anew!!! GO SCOTS!!!
You are awesome!!!! Love that you are the best band director!!!!!!