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Mr. Hugo Escobedo
Director of Bands [email protected] Hugo Escobedo is the Director of Bands for the John M. Harlan High School Band. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio. While at UTSA, he participated in the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Jazz Combos, and the Jazz Band where he was the lead trumpet player. He studied trumpet with Jan Roller, Chris Carillo, and Adrian Griffin. Mr. Escobedo studied conducting under Dr. Robert Rustowicz. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association. He is proud to be a part of the Harlan Band and is very fortunate to work with such talented students. Hugo Escobedo most recently served as the Director of Bands for LEE High School in San Antonio, Texas where he oversaw all aspects of the program including the marching band, concert ensembles, indoor programs, and the jazz band. The marching band has been a consistent UIL Sweepstakes recipient while the indoor percussion and color guard programs have been state finalists in the TCGC/TECA circuits. LEE Indoor Percussion was the TECA State Champion in 2013 & 2015 and the LEE Winter Guard was TECA State Champion in 2014. The LEE-Tones, a competitive jazz ensemble, was awarded Over All Best Jazz Performance in the Palo Alto Jazz Contest in 2016. |
His role as a music educator is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students to learn and grow. It is important for learning to take place in such an environment so that students are not only free to be themselves, but free to make mistakes and learn in the process. It is of utmost importance that educators prepare students to be high-functioning members of society when they leave the sheltered environment of school, regardless of what their roles or vocations may be. Through music, he engages students in activities that require them to be creative, disciplined, flexible, and work cooperatively with others.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, watching TV, movies, working out, and playing with his son, Noah. He looks forward to another successful year with the Harlan Band.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, watching TV, movies, working out, and playing with his son, Noah. He looks forward to another successful year with the Harlan Band.
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Ms. Savannah Palmer
Associate Director of Bands [email protected] Savannah Palmer is the Associate Director of Bands at John M. Harlan High School. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an All-Level Music Teaching Certificate. During her time at St. Mary’s University, she performed as the principal flute and piccolo player of the Wind Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, and Woodwind Ensemble. In March of 2024, she was the featured soloist with the United States Air Force Band of the West and the St. Mary’s University Wind Ensemble. Ms. Palmer spent 3 years as a woodwind technician at Stevens High School in Northside ISD. During the 2023-2024 school year, she completed her Clinical Teaching at Taft High School in NISD, where she worked with the marching band, concert bands, jazz bands, and the music theory class. Ms. Palmer was given the opportunities to conduct the Concert Band at the 2024 UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation and the Taft HS Spring Concert. She conducted the Jazz Ensemble II at various competitions, including the Alief ISD Jazz Festival, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Jazz Festival, and the Taft HS Jazz Festival. During her time as a Clinical Teacher, she was awarded the St. Mary’s University Clinical Teacher of the Year and the TMEA Collegiate Music Educator Award. Outside of music, Ms. Palmer enjoys spending time with family and friends while cheering on her favorite sports team, the Miami Dolphins. Ms. Palmer is beyond excited to join the Harlan family in 2024. |
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Mr. Steven Partida Associate Director of Bands/Director of Percussion [email protected] Mr. Steven Partida is a Texas native, born and raised in New Braunfels, TX. Going through the New Braunfels band program, percussion instruments have been a part of his life since the sixth grade. He guided by the teachings of Brad Arnold and Melissa Townsend. Partida then went on to continue his studies of music at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Music Education as a music department scholarship recipient. |
Partida received many accolades in performance opportunities, including being chosen as guest Marimba Soloist with the UTSA Chamber Choir, as well as being a performer at PASIC several times – most notably as a member of the 2015 PASIC All-Star Ensemble under the direction of Michael Burritt. Also during his undergraduate education, Partida lead the percussion studio as the elected Vice President, and then President of the UTSA Percussion Studio.
Next, Steven went on to graduate with his Masters of Music in Percussion Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he was awarded an Associate Instructorship. During his time at Indiana, Steven was involved with a professional percussion quartet “Four/One,” giving masterclasses, performances, and premieres of works throughout the state of Indiana.
Next, Steven went on to graduate with his Masters of Music in Percussion Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he was awarded an Associate Instructorship. During his time at Indiana, Steven was involved with a professional percussion quartet “Four/One,” giving masterclasses, performances, and premieres of works throughout the state of Indiana.