Hays CISD board approves new Johnson High School band director

Johnson High School is set to get a new director of bands, following approval from the Hays CISD board of trustees during its regular board meeting Feb. 26.

Joni Perez will replace current director Joey Lucita, who led the band programs at Johnson and Lehman High School and will retire at the end of the school year.

Two-minute impact

According to a district news release, Perez has more than 20 years of experience in music education. She currently serves as a music education clinician and consultant, program coordinator and leadership workshop facilitator for band programs across the state, as well as a brass consultant and ensemble specialist for the Bluecoats Drum Corps and Cavaliers Drum Corps.

More recently, she served as director of bands from 2010 to 2022 at The Woodlands High School. Under Perez's direction, TWHS band was a regular finalist and champion at Bands of America's regional, super regional and grand national championships, and competed as a finalist in six Texas State UIL Marching Band Championships.

"I can't wait to see all the great things she's going to do at Johnson High School," said superintendent Eric Wright during the board meeting. "I'm very appreciative of Mr. Lucita and the band members that we have for laying the ground work to attract such awesome candidates."