The Directors
Director of Bands
Kenneth Gilbreath
Mr. Gilbreath is currently in his 9th year as Director of Bands at Bastrop High School and his 26th year of music education. Originally from the Wichita Falls area Mr. Gilbreath studied music education at Tarleton State University. His bands have achieved consistent superior ratings throughout his career. Since arriving in Bastrop he has brought the Bastrop High School Band to achieving their first sweepstakes in over a decade while improving enrollment numbers of the program. Mr. Gilbreath’s bands have appeared in 5A Area D Finals and the 1A State Marching finals. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association.
Assistant Director of Bands
Geoffrey Gutierrez
Mr. Gutierrez is in his 2nd year as Assistant Director of Bands at Bastrop High School. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, and previously attended Texas State University. While attending St. Mary's he was principal alto saxophonist for the wind ensemble, and played tenor and bari sax in the jazz band. He was selected as the senior guest conductor for the St. Mary's choir, studied saxophone, clarinet, and flute under Bill King, and Euphonium and trombone with Dr. Matthew Mireles. While attending Texas State he was a member of the Bobcat Marching Band. Mr. Gutierrez served as a marching tech at Clark High School where he lead marching fundamentals, visual & fitness from 2018-2021. He is a member of the Texas Bandmasters and Texas Music Educators Associations.
In his free time Mr. Gutierrez enjoys travel, hiking, rock climbing, and bike riding.
Assistant Director of Bands
Evan Karley
Mr. Karley is a native of Austin, Texas and has served as one of the assistant band directors at Bastrop High School since 2019. He conducts the Concert Band and teaches the percussion section, as well as the percussion students in the Bastrop feeder programs.
Mr. Karley is a 2018 Graduate of Texas State University, where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education while studying percussion under Bobby Lopez, Kari Klier, and Genaro Gonzalez. He also had the opportunity to perform as a member of the Wind Symphony under Dr. Caroline Beatty, Symphony Orchestra under Dr. Carolyn Watson, Texas State Percussion Ensemble, served as a section leader in the Bobcat Marching Band, appeared as a soloist with the Skin ‘n Bones Ensemble, and toured the country performing with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016.
In his free-time Mr. Karley enjoys cooking, hiking, and is an avid percussion arranger and wind band composer.
Mr. Karley’s professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Percussive Arts Society.
Color Guard Director
Garnet Gilbreath
Colorguard/Winterguard
Mrs. Gilbreath began her dance experience at studios in Wichita Falls at the age of 3. She began spinning and performing at 12 with Henrietta High School and went on to dance under the direction of Meghan Prior at Oklahoma Baptist University. Mrs. Gilbreath has also performed with Insignia World Guard and Black Gold World Guard and has competed multiple times at WGI World Championships. She has taught colorguard for over 19 years in 16 different programs and has traveled the US creating choreography for various high schools. She has served on the boards of North Texas Colorguard Association and ATX Winterguard, and is currently on staff with Genesis Drum & Bugle Corps. Under her direction, her guards have gained success at Bands of America, UIL State Marching Contest, NTCA, TCGC Championships, & WGI. Mrs. Gilbreath also has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Midwestern State University and is going into her 9th year here at Bastrop HS teaching Pre-AP English II.