Jose Navarrete
Director of Bands
Mr. Jose Navarrete is a proud graduate of Aldine Independent School District, where he graduated in the top five percent of his class from Davis High School. He went on to attend Texas Southern University on a full scholarship, earning his Bachelor of Music degree and graduating Magna Cum Laude.
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During his time at Texas Southern University, Mr. Navarrete served as Tuba Section Leader for the renowned Ocean of Soul Marching Band and performed as Principal Tubist in the university’s Wind Ensemble. These leadership and performance experiences helped shape his commitment to excellence in music education.
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A passionate advocate for student success, Mr. Navarrete has always aspired to return to Aldine ISD to serve the community that helped shape him. He is dedicated to providing students from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to excel through music and pursue higher education. Mr. Navarrete is proud to be serving at Aldine High School and is excited to begin his sixth year as Director of Bands.
Tony Martinez
Percussion Director
Tony currently serves as the Percussion Director at Aldine Senior High School in Houston, TX. Tony grew up in East Bernard, TX, a small town west of the Houston suburb and has been part of the Aldine Band program since 2024.
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Tony attended Blinn College where he performed in a variety of ensembles including the Blinn College Drumline, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Steel Band Ensemble. He studied under Dr. Sarah Burke and Professor Todd Quinlan until transferring to the University of Texas at Arlington under the tutelage of Dr. Andrew Eldridge and Professor Christopher Nadeau. Tony was a part of the UTA Drumline, Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band.
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Tony lives in Houston, TX and is a member of The Alley Kat Big Band, Salyers Percussion Educator and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Austin Cunningham
Assistant Band Director
Austin Cunningham is excited to join the Aldine Mighty Mustang Band in the 2026-27 school year! His goal as an educator is to create transformative musical experiences.​
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Mr. Cunningham previously served as the Director of Bands at Brave High School in Austin, Texas, where he was honored as a distinguished teacher and as a quarterfinalist for the 2023 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. He studied at the University of Louisville and at Harvard University.
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He is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. Outside of the band room, he loves drinking iced coffee, going to the gym, traveling, and playing Fortnite.