Wylie East Band

Mr. Kurt Swisher will be joining the Wylie East band program as the Assistant Director of Percussion. His responsibilities will include teaching percussion for the Wylie East cluster and private lessons for Wylie High School cluster. Originally from Tyler, Texas, he graduated from Tyler Legacy High School and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. While at SFA, he performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the chamber percussion ensemble competition at the Percussive Arts Society International
Convention. Mr. Swisher has performed with notable marching percussion ensembles in both the Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International circuits, including Tyler Junior
College Indoor Percussion, Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps, Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, and Pulse Percussion. He has also taught in the marching arts activity with Vigilantes Indoor Percussion, Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, and is currently on the front ensemble staff with Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Prior to Wylie East, Mr. Swisher taught at Stephenville High School where he served as percussion director for four years and led the school’s indoor percussion program. He
has also worked with percussion programs throughout Texas and Southern California, including student teaching with Wylie High School in 2021. Outside of music, Mr. Swisher enjoys playing video games, disc golf, and hanging out with his cat, Cymbal. He is excited to be joining the Wylie East Band!

Join the Pride of the East!

🎷 Join us for a night of live jazz at the WEHS Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 18th at 7:30 PM in the auditorium! Enjoy performances by Stockton Helbing + Helbing Initiative and the WEHS Jazz Collective.
🎟️ General public tickets are $5 cash or PayPal at the door. Wylie East Band Students get free admission. Use the QR code in this post to get tickets ahead of time!

The PRIDE OF THE EAST is still on the journey to reach their goal! We only have 5 days left. This fundraiser helps us with everything from transportation to creating our amazing shows. Please know that no amount is too small. Your ongoing backing and support are both truly appreciated!
https://app.99pledges.com/fund/PowerPOTE2025

The POWER THE PRIDE Fundraiser is active! Please help support the Pride of the East by donating. You can search for a participant to donate!
https://app.99pledges.com/fund/PowerPOTE2025

The Wylie East Jazz Festival is returning in 2026!

We are so excited to welcome our 2026 guest artist and clinician! Drummer and educator Stockton Helbing will be lecturing and performing with the Helbing Jazz Initiative at our festival on April 18.

There is a High School track and a Junior High/Non-Varsity track, both of which will be competitive.

Please see our website for more information and to secure your ensemble's spot! https://www.wylieeastband.com/wehs-jazz-festival

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
[email protected]

Please help us welcome our new COLOR GUARD DIRECTOR to WEHS!

Damien Waites was born and raised in Dallas, TX. He studied Music Education at Tyler Junior College, General Studies at Collin College, and is currently attending Dallas College.

Mr. Waites' guard career began as a technician for Sachse High School a year after graduation. He then went on to direct and work as a technician at schools such as Plano East High School, Rockwall High School, Mansfield High School, Midlothian High School, and Anna High School.

As for his performance career, he marched with Insignia Performing Arts Concepts in 2018, Black Gold Open in 2019, and Black Gold World in 2020.

Outside of Color Guard, Mr. Waites enjoys movies, music, art, traveling with family and friends, and anything outdoors!

Mr. Waites is so excited to begin his journey with the POTE and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Please welcome Mr. Hayden Nicholson to the POTE!

Prior to his appointment at Wylie East, Mr. Nicholson served as an Assistant Band Director at Wylie High School during the spring of 2025, where he conducted the Symphonic Band and contributed to all aspects of the band program.

Originally from Lindale, Texas, Mr. Nicholson is a graduate of Lindale High School and Texas Christian University (TCU), where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree, graduating Cum Laude. He completed his student teaching at Marcus High School in Lewisville ISD.
While at TCU, Mr. Nicholson studied trumpet with Dr. Jon Burgess and was an active member of the Horned Frog Marching Band, serving as brass section leader. He also performed with the TCU Wind Symphony under the direction of Mr. Bobby Francis and was a member of the TCU Trumpet Ensemble, which competed in the National Trumpet Competition and participated in the International Trumpet Guild Conference.

Mr. Nicholson’s musical journey also includes his time at Tyler Junior College (TJC), where he studied trumpet with Mr. Micah Bell and served as drum major of the Apache Marching Band. During his time at TJC, he was an active member of Jazz Ensemble I, the TJC Trumpet Ensemble, and the TJC Wind Ensemble—which made history in 2022 as the first junior college ensemble to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention under the direction of Mr. Jeremy Strickland and Dr. Eddie Airheart.

In his free time, Mr. Nicholson enjoys traveling and spending time with his friends and family.

He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA).

Welcome to Raider Nation, Mr. Nicholson!

Congratulations to our top 10% POTE seniors! We are so proud of your hard work!