Ever since joining band as a kid, assistant band director Matthew Assis always knew he wanted to pursue a career in music. Growing up in Garland, Texas, Assis felt that the students in his band were never truly appreciated, so he wants to make sure the kids here at Azle recognize their value.

“I never really felt appreciated in my band,” Assis said. “I was doing everything I could to the best of my ability and I just didn’t feel very valued. But I saw how much it was doing for me, and I saw all these kids quitting, and that made me want to be better, I wanted to be the kind of person that can make these kids stay. Band makes better people, if you do it right.”

Assis chose Azle because he is all about the real-life application of band. What he really cares about is making better individuals.

“I noticed that this district seems to share that belief with me,” Assis said. “If I have a vision, then the district will support me. I feel like I’m well-supported and that I’m in a good place, where the things that I care about, I can do.”

One of his goals for the year is for the Marching Green Pride to do what they can to the best of their ability.