About

Head Band Director – Thompson Middle School

Allison Gordner, a native of Pennsylvania, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Slippery Rock University in the spring of 2016. While at SRU, she studied trumpet under Dr. Stephen Hawk and Mr. Chad Winkler, and performed with the Marching Pride, Concert Band, and Brass Ensemble. She also expanded her musical versatility by playing French horn in the Wind Ensemble, piano in the Jazz Lab Band, and singing as a member of the elite Chamber Singers.

Following graduation, Miss Gordner relocated to San Antonio, TX, and began her teaching career as the Assistant Band Director at Medina Valley Middle School (Medina Valley ISD). In April 2017, she was honored as the district’s Teacher of the Month, awarded to an outstanding first-year teacher. In the summer of 2022, she moved to Quinlan ISD, where she is currently in her fourth year as Head Band Director at Thompson Middle School.

Miss Gordner is known for fostering significant student growth and elevating the performance levels of her ensembles. Her program milestones include:

• Directing the first Non-Varsity Band from MVMS to receive sweepstakes at the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation (Spring 2022)

• Directing the first Varsity Band from TMS to receive sweepstakes at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading (Spring 2024)

• Directing the first Non-Varsity Band from TMS to receive a Superior Rating at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading (Spring 2025)

In addition to her middle school responsibilities, she serves as the Visual Caption Head for the Ford High School Marching Band. Her marching performance experience includes:

• 1st Trumpet, 2012 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band

• 2nd Trumpet, 2014 DCA World Champion Reading Buccaneers

• 2nd Trumpet, 2015 DCI Bronze Medalist Canton Bluecoats

From 2017 to 2022, Miss Gordner also performed as a trumpet player with the South Texas Symphonic Orchestra.