Directors

Artistic Director Pete Hazzard

Pete Hazzard was named Artistic Director of the Carrollton Wind Symphony in May 2025.  

Mr. Pete Hazzard received his academic training at Howard Payne University and the University of North Texas respectively. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Fine Arts for the Frisco Independent School District. A native of Euless, Texas, Mr. Hazzard grew up under the tutelage of Tom Neugent at Trinity High School. While at HPU, Mr. Hazzard studied conducting with Dr. Robert Tucker and Dr. Tom Webster. He completed his graduate degree in wind conducting at the University of North Texas with Mr. Dennis Fisher and Mr. Eugene Migliaro Corporon in 2006.

Prior to becoming a public school fine arts administrator, Mr. Hazzard served as an assistant director at both Hedrick Middle School and Marcus High School (Lewisville Independent School District) and as the director of bands at Denton High School, Frisco High School, Creekview High School, and Liberty High School. He has served at multiple levels of music educational leadership at both the state and national level.  His ensembles have received numerous commendations and invitations throughout his career.  In 2003, the Denton High School Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana and in 2005 was selected as a state finalist in the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band competition. The Creekview High School Wind Symphony was also recognized as the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band finalist for 2010-2011. The Creekview Wind Symphony also performed at the 65th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2011. In addition, the Creekview High School Wind Symphony was recognized as a National Winner in the Wind Band Honors Mark of Excellence program in 2009. Under Mr. Hazzard’s direction, the Liberty High School Wind Ensemble was also recognized as the Texas Music Educators Association honor Band finalist for 2012-2013.

Mr. Hazzard is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout Texas. In addition, Mr. Hazzard is an active composer.   Performances of his concert arrangements and original compositions are performed by some of the top bands throughout the state of Texas. Throughout the year, Mr. Hazzard stays very active as a team building and leadership consultant and writer.

Mr. Hazzard’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Administrators Conference, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Ph Beta Mu. He is married to Whitney, a saxophone private teacher in the DFW area. They have two daughters, Caitlyn and Lauren and a son, Cameron.