K. Trey Thompson
Director of Music
K. Trey Thompson is a young conductor based in Waco, Texas. Trey began playing the viola at age 11, and conducting at 18. For his undergraduate degree studies, Trey attended Baylor University where he studied Instrumental Music. During his time as an undergraduate, Trey traveled extensively, performing as a violist. As a violist, he has performed on both coasts of the United States as well as throughout Germany and the Middle East with such groups as the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, Baylor Opera Theatre, National Music Festival, Norddeutsche Orchesterakademie, Temple Symphony Orchestra and as a featured soloist with the Baylor Campus Orchestra.
As a conductor, Trey has worked with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, Baylor Campus Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony and Central Texas Musical Arts. Currently, Trey is pursuing a Master of Music degree under the tutelage of Maestro Stephen Heyde of the Waco Symphony orchestra. Additionally, Trey has studied with Kiril Stankow, Kapellmeister at the Staatstheater Kassel, and Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor Laureate of the Fort Worth Symphony.
When not engaged in musical activities, Trey enjoys his role as a church musician and escaping to the great outdoors as often as he can.
Frank Simon
Frank Simon is from Dallas, Texas. He is married to Trudy Morgan. They have two children, Meg and Andy, and one grandson, Bradley. Frank worked for The University of Texas at Austin, for 40 years, as a sound and video recording engineer.
Frank studied conducting with Clyde Roller, Cornelius Eberhardt, Bill Reber, Kelly Hale and Walter Ducloux, at the University of Texas at Austin. He conducted concerts with the UT Symphony Orchestra, Longhorn Summer Band, and Chamber Ensembles. He conducted multiple performances in UT Opera Theater, as a rehearsal and off-stage conductor. Frank was cover conductor for the UT Opera production of Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia”, and conducted “Mother Courage and Her Children”, and “Carousel”, in the UT Theater and Dance Department.
Frank was the first conductor of the Austin Symphonic Band and conducted the band for three years. He was appointed Music Director of the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra in January of 2020. He resigned in November of 2020 due to the worsening CoVid-19 pandemic. He joined Central Texas Musical Arts, in January of 2022, as a conductor and percussionist.
Frank is a 2022 American Prize National Finalist in Conducting in the Community and School Orchestra Division.
Frank served for 24 years, in the Texas Army National Guard. He served in the 236th Army Band and the 49th Armored Division Band. He was appointed Commander and Bandmaster of the 49th AD Band in 1984. The band toured overseas in Italy and South Australia, while he was commander. He has guest conducted the 5th US Army Band at Ft. Sam Houston, TX and the Army Ground Forces Band at Fort McClellan, GA.
Frank retired in 1996 as Chief Warrant Officer. His military awards include the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Oakleaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Texas Faithfull Service Medal with four Bronze Cactus Flowers.
Conor Brace
Conor Brace is a composer and trumpet player from Austin, Texas. Conor has always been fascinated by music’s ability to tell stories. Originally a jazz musician, he performed as a trumpet soloist and wrote for big bands and other groups while obtaining his Master’s Degree in Jazz Composition at the University of Texas at Austin.
As he was finishing up his degree, Conor began studying traditional orchestration along with media music production. Collaborating with student filmmakers and game developers became a new obsession, and it provided an opportunity for combining jazz/pop sensibility with the emotive power of the orchestra. Conor currently lives in Liberty Hill with his wife Whitney, who runs Liberty Hill Pharmacy, and their two-year-old daughter Brienne, who thinks they are both very silly.
Robert Laguna
Robert Laguna is an experienced music director with over ten years working in Texas public school systems directing choral, orchestral, and ensemble musical groups. Since 2005, he has served as the the Director of Music and Conductor for the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble.
Robert’s instrument background is trumpet. As a free-lance trumpeter he has over 30 years experience in the classical, jazz, popular, and liturgical genres of music. He has played with the Armadillo Swing Band, Waterloo Wind Band, Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, Pecan Street Brass Quintet, and Brash Brass Quintet.
Robert is the founder, Director of Music, and conductor for the Bat City Brass Ensemble and the Austin Brass Band – the only British-style brass band in the Austin area.
Marc Lowe
Marc’s passion for conducting started early in life. When the middle school orchestra came to his 5th grade class, he was pulled from the audience as their guest conductor and he’s been hooked on it since (although he chose to join the band as a bassoonist instead). In high school, he auditioned for drum major of the marching band, and has at various times been called on as a conducting understudy and assistant conductor. He serves on CTMA’s board as its president.
Marc lives in Georgetown with his son Thomas and their three cats. His hobbies include military history as well as general aviation.