6-8 Gold Track Band Directors
Erich J. Sonnier
Director of Bands | Briscoe Junior High School
Mr. Sonnier is excited to begin his first year as the Director of Bands at Briscoe Junior High School. Prior to joining Briscoe, he served as the Director of Bands at Foster High School for 11 years, where he grew the program to over 250 students and led the band to the Texas State Marching Contest in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Mr. Sonnier holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1997) and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Houston–Clear Lake (2003). Over his 28-year teaching career, he has held positions at Alief Hastings High School, Owens Intermediate, Galena Park High School, and several schools in Louisiana including Eunice, Delcambre, and Abbeville High School.
He and his wife of 26 years, Angela, reside in Richmond, TX. They have two daughters—both Briscoe JH and Foster HS alumni—who were active in band, with one now following in his footsteps as a band director. In his free time, Mr. Sonnier enjoys fishing, cooking, watching movies, bowling, and playing chess.
Mr. Gegogeine is proud to serve as the Band Director at Wertheimer Middle School, where he will work to inspire young musicians as part of the esteemed Golden Track teaching staff. With 33 years of experience, he has guided countless middle and high school students in Indiana and Texas to discover the joy of music creation. Before joining Wertheimer, Mr. Gegogeine spent 11 years as Band Director at Miller Intermediate in Alief ISD and was the Director of Bands at Garcia Middle School, Hightower High School, and Ridge Point High School in Fort Bend ISD
A graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, Mr. Gegogeine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and became a brother of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity. Mr. Gegogeine also traveled the country as a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, where they achieved 3rd place in the 1991 DCI Finals.
Mr. Gegogeine has been married to his wife, Julie, for 23 years. They have two daughters: Kaylee, a Wildlife Management student at Texas A&M University, and Lindsey, a senior at Travis High School who has played saxophone throughout high school and will pursue Visualization at Texas A&M. In his free time, Mr. Gegogeine enjoys traveling, woodworking, and cherishing moments with family and friends.
Jeff Gegogeine
Director Bands | Wertheimer Middle School
Joseph Nguyen
Assistant Director | Briscoe Junior High School
Mr. Nguyen is currently serving his second year as the Assistant Band Director at Briscoe Junior High, and his fourth year of teaching in LCISD. Prior to LCISD, he had the privilege to student teach at the award-winning Vandegrift HS and Four Points MS in Leander ISD.
Mr. Nguyen is a proud graduate of Sam Houston State University with a Bachelors degree in Music Education. He was a member of the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, serving as principal clarinetist in both groups for two years. In 2020 and 2019, he had the honor of being invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention with the SHSU Wind Ensemble, SHSU Symphony Orchestra, and SHSU Honors Clarinet Quartet. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, International Clarinet Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Away from the band hall, Mr. Nguyen enjoys performing with the Sugar Land Winds, running his small business on Etsy BbStickies, and spending time with friends, family, and his cats Ube and Yuji!