Meet the Directors
Christopher Sample
Director of Bands
Chris Sample is the Director of Bands at North Crowley High School. Mr. Sample is a 2004 graduate of Sherman High School in Sherman, TX where he performed under the baton of Joe Frank, Jr., earning placements in the UIL State Marching Band Finals and as finalists in the TMEA Honor Band competition. While there, he also participated in three consecutive years of the TMEA All-State Band on trumpet, received the John Philip Sousa Award, and toured/performed in numerous countries all over Europe as part of the American Musical Ambassadors. He also attained the rank of Eagle Scout as a part of the Boy Scouts. Mr. Sample then attended the University of Texas at Arlington where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Music. While there, he studied trumpet under Dr. Rick Bogard and performed in the UTA Trumpet Ensemble, as principal trumpet in the Wind Symphony, and as section leader for several years in the Maverick Marching Band. In 2007, he was awarded the “Jack H. Mahan Outstanding Upperclassmen Musician” award. Mr. Sample also served in several leadership positions of the Delta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. While serving as President for two years, the chapter earned the prestigious “D.O. Wiley” Top Chapter Award for outstanding service to their university band.
After graduating, Mr. Sample continued his education at UT Arlington to obtain his Master of Music Performance degree in Wind Conducting, studying under Dr. Douglas Stotter and Dr. Matthew Luttrell. While a Graduate Assistant, he continued to perform with the Wind Symphony and was an Assistant Director of the Maverick Marching Band and the MavBrass Basketball Pep Band. He was the conductor of the Symphonic Band and guest conductor on several occasions of the Wind Symphony.
After completing his Master’s Degree, Mr. Sample worked at Grapevine High School where he assisted with the Wind Ensemble, Honors Band, marching band, and the school musical. His primary instructional duties were with the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and teaching Music History and Pre-AP Music Theory. For the next two years, Mr. Sample taught in Cedar Hill ISD at West Intermediate and Coleman Middle School, where he served as that cluster’s assistant director for one year before being promoted to Director of Bands of CMS.
The 2025-2026 school year is Mr. Sample’s eleventh year in Crowley ISD and he is looking forward to another great year with the North Crowley High School Mighty Panther Band!
Mr. Sample lives in Burleson with his wife Chrissy, who works as a data analyst, and his son Cooper. Their home ranch keeps them busy with two dogs, Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade, two horses, King and Shorty, and donkey "Don Quixote". In his free time, he also enjoys fishing, riding motorcycles, and playing scenario paintball.
He is currently a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, The National Association for Music Education, an alumnus and Life Member of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Service Fraternity, and honorary member of the Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Service Sorority.
Andrew Twiss
Associate Director of Bands
Andrew Twiss is entering his 10th year of teaching and is excited to join the Mighty Panther Band family. Mr. Twiss previously served as Associate Director of Bands at Huntsville High School where he conducted the Wind Ensemble, assisted with the Marching Band, directed the HS Jazz Bands, assisted with the MS Jazz Band, and taught beginner Saxophone classes. Mr. Twiss’ concert and jazz bands have consistently received Superior Ratings at UIL contests and festivals. They have also performed on trips to the State Capitol in Austin, Orlando, New York City, and Washington D.C.
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Mr. Twiss was a founding member of the Eurus Saxophone Quartet, a group of Houston-area educators dedicated to serving students through performances and outreach. ESQ presented and performed at the 2018 Midwest International Band Clinic in Chicago.
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Mr. Twiss grew up in Tulsa, OK and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Oklahoma State University. He studied Saxophone and Jazz with Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert and Dr. Tommy Poole. While at OSU, Mr. Twiss was a National Chamber Music Finalist in the MTNA Competition and a Drum Major for the Cowboy Marching Band. Through his experience with the OSU Jazz program, Mr. Twiss has performed with artists such as Stockton Helbing, Christian McBride, and Wycliffe Gordon.
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Mr. Twiss lives in Fort Worth with his golden retriever “Ella.” When away from the band hall Mr. Twiss enjoys road biking, drinking lots of coffee, and spending time with friends and family.
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Mr. Twiss' professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educator's Association, Texas Bandmaster's Association, Texas Jazz Educator's Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Steve Farrell
Director of Percussion
Mr. Farrell is excited to continue working with the team at North Crowley High School. The 2025-2026 school year will be his third with Crowley ISD, and seventeenth as a band director.
Mr. Farrell graduated from Brewer HS in 1999, after which he served in the Air Force for 4 years as an Aircraft Mechanic/Crew Chief on the C-130 Hercules. After leaving the Air Force, he attended the University of Texas at Arlington to study music education, as well as applied percussion with Dr. Michael Varner and Dr. Jim Yakas. After graduation, he moved down to the Galveston area to take a job as the percussion director for Ball High School. During that time, he completed a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Lamar University. Two years later, he was promoted to Director of Bands of Ball High School where he held that position for 12 years.
Mr. Farrell is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association. In his free time, he enjoys playing disc golf, but also has a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as being trained in boxing and Muay Thai.
North Crowley Cluster
Middle School Staff
Kristina Calva
Head Director
Crowley MS
David Carlsen
Assistant Director
Crowley MS
Austin Holder
Head Director
Summer Creek MS