Band Directors

Alan Lang, Director of Bands

Alan Lang has been a dedicated educator at Lamar High School for nineteen years, joining the fine arts staff in the fall of 2005 after four years of teaching at Lindsay High School in Oklahoma. He holds a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from the University of Oklahoma, where he was actively involved in various musical ensembles, including the jazz band, symphonic bands, marching band, and choir. Notably, he was also a member of the 1998 Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, studying under professional trumpeter Peter Bond from the NYC Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

In addition to his teaching role, Mr. Lang has extensive experience as a Drum Corps International instructor, serving as the visual caption head for Pioneer from 2003 to 2006 and for Revolution from 2008 to 2011. He became the director of bands at Lamar in the fall of 2012, where he currently leads the Wind Ensemble and The Pride of Lamar Marching Band, and co-conducts both the symphonic band and full orchestra.

Throughout his tenure at Lamar, Mr. Lang has taught various courses including International Baccalaureate Music (IB), jazz band, and concert band. Under his leadership, the marching band has consistently achieved division 1 ratings and has advanced to the UIL Area Marching Contest on four occasions. From 2012 to 2014, he served as the TMEA Region 5 Band Chair, organizing All-Region auditions, clinics, and concerts.

Mr. Lang’s jazz band participated in the Essentially Ellington jazz program during the 2005-2015 school years. In 2024, the Lamar Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the Music For All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has also organized numerous trips for the band to various cities including Crested Butte, Memphis, Nashville, Orlando, Corpus Christi, Winter Park, South Padre Island, San Antonio, New Orleans, and New York City.

Outside of his professional life, Mr. Lang resides in Oak Cliff with his wife Shaneen and their three cats: Sebastian, Leeloo, and Banksy.

Zack Riley, Associate Director of Bands

Zack Riley is in his fifth year of teaching here at Lamar High School. He graduated in the 2018 with a degree in Music Education from the prestigious College of Music at the University of North Texas. In his time at North Texas, Mr. Riley studied under the baton of Dr. Nicholas Williams, Professor Dennis Fisher, and under the tutelage of Horn professor Dr. William Scharnberg. Zack also performed in the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and the “Best Band in the Land, and best Drumline in College Football”, the “GREEEEEEEEEN BRIGADE!” where he had the privilege of becoming a section leader, and Field Technician for the ensemble. During his college years, he was a member of the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps in 2013 and 2014. Mr. Riley has also been an instructor in Drum Corps International as a visual instructor with the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps (2015) and currently resides on the visual educational team with the Guardians Drum & Bugle Corps (2017-present).

After spending four years at Lamar as a marching technician for the Pride of Lamar, Mr. Riley was promoted to a full-time director. He is the director of the Symphonic Band, Viking Jazz Orchestra, Viking Jazz Ensemble, co-directs the Freshman band, and teaches the Woodwind Techniques class.

Zack is a graduate of Lamar High School, Class of 2011.

Mr. Riley resides in Fort Worth, loves buffalo wings, video games, fantasy football and hockey (Go Stars!). He is heavily supported by all his family, including his parents Kevin & Susan, brother and sister, Michael & Stephanie, and his wonderful wife Ashleigh.

“I am extremely humbled and excited to give back to the program that first taught me the passion for music and where I learned I wanted to be an educator. I was raised a Viking, and I always will be a Viking! VFND!”

Kolby Kelly, Percussion Director