 Director of Fine Arts Director of Bands FHS Head Director Quinlan, TX Mr. Filip's passion for music came about at a very young age, as he played the piano, church handbells and sang in the church choir all before starting 6th Grade Band. He started his band career in 6th Grade learning how to play the clarinet and become the director he is today. Mr. Filip has been the
Director of Bands for Quinlan ISD since Fall 2005. While under the direction of
Mr. Filip, the Quinlan Bands have reached sweepstakes at contest and increased
the band enrollment significantly. Mr. Filip holds memberships in several
professional organizations including the Texas Music Educators Association,
Association of Texas Small School Bands and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Filip also is on Faculty for the Stephen F. Austin State University Middle
School Band Camp in June of every summer teaching Clarinet Masterclasses. Mr. Filip currently serves as an officer for the Association of Small School
Bands Region 3 holding the position as Assistant Region
Coordinator/Webmaster. Previously Mr. Filip served as Region Jazz
Coordinator. He also serves as the ATSSB All-State Jazz Band Organizer every year during the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic and Convention.
Mr. Filip studied Clarinet under Dr. Christopher Ayer at Stephen F. Austin State University where he earned his Bachelor's in Music Education with a concentration in Instrumental Music graduating Cum Laude. While at Stephen F. Austin State University he studied conducting privately with Mr. Fred J. Allen, Director of Bands. Mr. Filip was a member in the SFA Wind Ensemble, Lumberjack Marching Band, SFA Chamber Winds, Woodwind Ensembles and soloed in several recital settings. In May 2015, Mr. Filip graduated with his Masters in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. Mr. Filip has a background in Pro Audio Technologies. While at SFA, Marty was part of the Sound Engineer Team that was in charge of all music events at the university. He provided anything from recording, live sound, video and special lighting services for these events. He was also part of the team that rewired the music buildings two concert halls to be run from the same location, a old storage closet that the team converted into the new sound recording lab. Marty was married to his wife, Sarah, in Nacogdoches, TX on June 4, 2005. He and his family currently reside in Wylie, TX. Marty and his wife have two sons, Noah who was born in August of 2009 and Caleb who was born in September of 2015. When he's not teaching or playing music, he enjoys relaxing with his family, spending time outdoors on the lake or beach, working on small projects, watching movies and traveling. Brent Longbotham FHS Assistant Director Quinlan, TX  Mr. Longbotham’s (Mostly known as Mr. L) passion for music started at a very young age. He first knew he wanted to pursue a career in music when he was a 7thgrader. An inspirational speech given by a band director at a region band concert sparked his passion for teaching right then and there and never changed. When the 6th grade hit, Mr. Longbotham was involved in his church’s hand bell choir and youth choir, who would go on tour every year to a certain number of states and perform. In the 6th grade he started learning the French horn has become proficient in his performing. Throughout his music career he always was and still is a competitive performer. Mr. Longbotham qualified for the All Region Band 6 times, All-Area 4 times and the TMEA All-State Band 4 times on Horn (1 High School, 3 Community College All State). During middle school and high school he studied privately with professional Horn player, Jeanne Bryant, who is still a close friend to his family to this day. Mr. Longbotham attended Lee Community College in Baytown, TX and studied French horn under the late Dennis Odell. He was a member of the Baytown Symphony Orchestra and the Baytown Community Band where he guest conducted and performed professionally. He completed an Associate’s Degree in music from Lee College in 2010 and continued to further his education by transferring to Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in December of 2014. While attending SFA he studied French horn under Dr. Charles Gavin and went on to become the principal horn player for the SFA Wind Ensemble. He also studied conducting under Dr. David Campo. Mr. Longbotham was a member of the Lumberjack Marching Band for 3 years and travelled to London with the band to lead the 2013 New Year’s Day Parade. Outside of teaching, Mr. Longbotham greatly enjoys theme parks and has an addiction to roller coasters. He also enjoys studying astronomy and astrology, conducting, travelling abroad, cruising, gaming, and competitive reality television (especially The Amazing Race, which Mr. L wants to run one day).
Mr. Longbotham is currently the Assistant Director for Ford High School and looks forward to driving his students to be passionate about themselves, music and achieving greatness. Stephanie Evans TMS Head Director Quinlan, TX Stephanie Evans is the Head Band Director at C. B. Thompson Middle School and also serves as an assistant director at Ford High School in Quinlan, TX. Stephanie is a graduate of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She studied clarinet under Janet Scott and was privileged to study music under Dr. Jeffrey Lemke and Keith Gates. While studying music education at MSU, Mrs. Evans frequently performed with numerous ensembles such as the MSU Wind Symphony, various MSU Clarinet ensembles, the MSU Color Guard, the Lake Charles Community Band, and the Lake Charles Community Dedication project for the 200th Anniversary of Mozart. She also performed with many artists including The Boston Brass, The Marcus Roberts Trio, and Sion é Companhia. Mrs. Evans started her music career path by teaching color guard in Louisiana. She assisted her former director at Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, Louisiana for several years. She also became co-captain of the McNeese State University Color Guard. After two years of being co-captain, she was named as co-director of the Color Guard program until she graduated. Upon graduation, Mrs. Evans moved to Texas where she worked for Victoria Memorial High School, Mabank High School, and previously at Kaufman Junior High School. Stephanie is a current member of Texas Music Educator’s Association, the Association of Texas Small School Bands, and Texas Bandmasters’ Association. She is also an alumnus of the professional music fraternity of Sigma Alpha Iota, the professional music sorority Tau Beta Sigma, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Stephanie and her husband, Christopher, currently reside in Terrell with their children, James (12), Lily (9) and Blake (2). In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family, read or craft.  Sauileoge To'afa TMS Assistant Director FHS Drumline Director Quinlan, TX Sauileoge Lino To’afa (known mostly as “Mr. T”) is from the island of American Samoa. Surrounded by an environment and culture rich with music, Sauileoge decided to pursue music as a career. He began by serving four years in the Tafuna High School Warrior Band and remained active in his church praise band. Soon after, Mr. To’afa completed his Associates Degree in Music at the American Samoa Community College. He then transferred to Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMUC) to further his education. It is at TAMUC where he honed his skills as a musician and narrowed his focus in the area of Percussion. On May 15th 2010, Mr. To’afa completed his Bachelor of Science in Music Education TAMUC where he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Baptist Student Ministry, Symphonic Band, Mane Attraction Jazz Band, Percussion Club, and Percussion Ensemble. As a service to his home island of American Samoa, Sauileoge To’afa decided to give back to his community by returning home to teach at Samoana High School as a band director. Upon completing that service, he moved back to Texas where he has been active in teaching in the Garland Independent School District. Mr. To’afa is currently Assistant Band Director at Thompson Middle School, and Percussion Tech for Quinlan Independent School District. He looks forward to making a difference with every staff member and student he comes in contact with.  Amber Clowers Fine Arts Secretary Color Guard Director Quinlan, TX Amber Clowers has served as both the Fine Arts Secretary and the Color Guard Director for Quinlan ISD since 2013. During this time, she has established a Winter Guard program that has received multiple awards and division 1 ratings at regional and national contests. Mrs. Clowers holds a B.A. in Psychology from American Military University, and a M.Ed. in Education Teaching & Learning – Student Services from Liberty University. Currently, she is pursuing an additional M.A. in General Psychology. Amber and her husband, Jeremy, have spent 20 years together. They have two children, Ausitn (18) and Zoe (12). In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, crafting, and traveling. |
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