About

Hunter Purvine

Associate Director of Bands

Mr. Purvine is thrilled to join the Lion Band in his first year as the Associate Director at R.L. Turner High School. Before joining the R.L. Turner program, Mr. Purvine was an Assistant Director at Lake Highlands Junior High in Dallas, TX. During his time at Lake Highlands, Mr. Purvine he taught the Concert Band, Jazz Band, and 6th grade beginning classes. Under his direction the Concert Band made sweepstakes in their UIL performances and superior ratings at the NRH20 Music Festival.

Mr. Purvine graduated with his Bachelor's of Instrumental Music Education from the University of Oklahoma in 2017. While at OU, he was an active performer on the campus level and state level. Mr. Purvine performed with the OU Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Tuba-Euphonium quartets, Trombone Choir, Basketball Band, and the Marching Band. At the state level he performed with the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Intercollegiate Band and was a member of the Frontier Brass Band, the premier British style brass ensemble of Oklahoma. Mr. Purvine was recognized as the outstanding euphonium undergraduate four years in a row, and was honored to serve as drum major of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band in 2016 season.

Mr. Purvine during the summers has spent time teaching students leaders and drum majors with organizations in Oklahoma and Fred J. Miller Summer Clinics. This has allowed him to teach students across several states. Mr. Purvine’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha.

In his free time Mr. Purvine enjoys running and cycling with friends, rock climbing, competing in races, and playing in the Carrollton Wind Symphony.

Laura Fernandez

Guard Director

Laura Fernandez is the Guard Director, a Dance Teacher and Turner Dance Fusion Company Co-Director at R. L. Turner High School. She has been serving the R. L. Turner Colorguard and Winterguard since 2015. She was first introduce to Colorguard as a high school student and has had a passion for it ever since. She was a guard technician for her high school band until her sophomore year at Texas Woman's University.

While at TWU, she performed with the Texas Woman's University International Dance Company and CholoRock Dance Theatre which granted her the opportunity to travel and perform around the state of Texas as well as in San Diego, Ca., Orlando, Fl., Washington D.C., and Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. She graduated from Texas Woman's University with her BA in Dance and upon coming to teach dance at R. L. Turner HS, found her passion for guard renewed. She absolutely loves serving the students in the RLT Guard and Band and looks forward to another amazing year!

Flute
Dr. Bethany Padgett
Dr. Chris Cox

Clarinet
Nola Preston

Saxophone
Kevin Ford

Bassoon
Jeff Strong

Horn
Zach Anderson

Trumpet
Chris Lyman

Trombone/Euphonium
Brandon Yenzer

Tuba
Dr. Jonathan Watkins

Percussion
Caleb Barnett

How does one become a leader?

Drum majors, section leaders, and band council make up our student leaders. Our leaders are the students the directors know they can count on to keep things running smooth even when they’re busy in another area. The audition for being a student leader is year-round.

What do student leaders do?

Student leaders assist the directors and students in the program. They are expected to be responsible, reliable, and accountable as they often have to handle things while the directors are busy elsewhere. The information below is by no means all-inclusive, as every leader is expected to be available to help their directors and fellow band members all through the year.

All students appointed as leaders shall, in addition to their listed duties, strive to uphold the image and spirit of the band at all times. These appointments are to be considered an honor and a responsibility, not a privilege. Leaders should aid the band directors in every way possible. Please be aware that all leaders are to be available to teach or help teach at all camps for Marching and Symphonic/Concert Band. You are expected to keep the lines of communication open between each other and between students and the directors at all times.

Drum Major – Serves as the focal point of direction for the band during performances as they assist the directors in conducting the band during games and serve as the primarily seen conductors during shows. They assist other students with music practice and in cleaning their marching shows with extra practices as needed. Drum majors are also the students the directors look to first for help in organizing students and equipment at performances on the school grounds and at other locations as well as countless other tasks that take a large amount of time and dedication to the band. Being a drum major is so much more than wearing a different outfit and conducting.

Section Leaders – Help run practices, work with their section during rehearsals to fine-tune music and drill, oversee the inspection of their section to ensure everyone is dressed properly, and inspect lockers and the section’s area as well as help drum majors.