Co-Program Director

Dr. Cecil Crabtree-Spring is the Assistant Band/Color Guard Director at Pebble Hills High School in El Paso, Texas.  Dr. Crabtree-Spring’s fine arts background began as a high school band student in Oklahoma.  He was a student leader, drum major, private lessons teacher, and a member of the Oklahoma All-State Band.  Dr. Crabtree-Spring began his teaching career as a graduate/teaching assistant for West Texas A&M University from 2001-2003, as assistant band director at Harold Wiggs Middle School from 2003-2004, and at Americas High School from 2004-2012 where he served as an assistant band director, color guard director, and as the high school’s student activities director.  Dr. Crabtree-Spring studied conducting under Dr. Gary Garner and Mr. Don Lefevre, who also had the pleasure of studying saxophone.   

Dr. Crabtree-Spring has significantly contributed to the band and color guard activities, creating successful outdoor programs and winter guard shows since 2004.  Dr. Crabtree-Spring has also worked with the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corp and the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corp.  Dr. Crabtree-Spring’s programs have consistently medaled or won at every Winter Guard International Regional competition they have attended, won several fall marching show auxiliary championships, and state winter guard championships during his time at Americas High School and Pebble Hills High School.  Dr. Crabtree-Spring is the second color guard director to place a Texas high school winter guard in Scholastic World Class Finals at the WGI World Championships.

Dr. Crabtree-Spring’s concert bands have received numerous UIL Sweepstakes in Concert & Sight-reading contests and district competitions. As the woodwinds specialist for Pebble Hills High School, Dr. Crabtree-Spring oversees the development of the woodwind program and master classes. Dr. Crabtree-Spring has seen many of his students go on to make the TMEA All-Region, Area, and State-level band programs. Dr. Crabtree-Spring prides himself on helping his students succeed in music in all facets. Most recently, the Pebble Hills High School Flute Choir was selected as a performing ensemble at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the National Flute Association Convention.

Dr. Crabtree-Spring has been a clinician, adjudicator, and design consultant for multiple competitive groups all over the state of Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and many more.  Dr. Crabtree-Spring has had the pleasure of working with fine programs such as Haltom High School, The Woodlands High School, Harlingen High School, Coronado High School, Mansfield High School, Organ Mountain High School, Permian High School, Ars Nova World Guard, Americas Independent, Glory Independent, and many more other exemplary programs.  

Dr. Crabtree-Spring received his B.M. in Music Education and Master of Arts with an emphasis in Instrumental Conducting from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.   Dr. Crabtree-Spring recently completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Arizona in 2023. Dr. Crabtree-Spring’s professional organizations include Texas Music Administrators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Tau Beta Sigma.

Dr. Crabtree-Spring has a fantastic spouse and two adorable dogs.