Contact Us
Robert Straka, Director of Bands
469-752-6499
Robert.Straka@pisd.edu
Ben Altom, Associate Director
469-752-6551
Ben.Altom@pisd.edu
469-752-6499
Robert.Straka@pisd.edu
Ben Altom, Associate Director
469-752-6551
Ben.Altom@pisd.edu
Meet the Directors
Robert J. Straka
Mr. Straka is celebrating his 35th year of music education, and is currently the Band Director at Schimelpfenig Middle School in Plano. Prior to SMS, he taught in the Allen ISD for two years at the Allen Freshmen Center and Ereckson Middle School. Mr. Straka spent three years at Berkner High School and nine years at Apollo Junior High School in the Richardson ISD. In 2001, his Apollo Junior High Symphonic Band was selected as the BBB Texas Honor Band. For five consecutive years while in Richardson, he was chosen as the most influential teacher by a Top Ten Graduating Senior of Berkner High School. Before moving to Texas, Mr. Straka spent twelve years teaching music in Connecticut. In 1992 he was named Teacher of the Year for the Regional School District Sixteen in CT.
Mr. Straka is a graduate of West Virginia University and the Yale School of Music where he earned his master’s degree in performance on clarinet. He has performed in various orchestras and bands throughout New England and has toured Italy, performing with Musicisti Americani. More recently he has performed with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and is currently a member of the Plano Community Band.
Mr. Straka’s professional affiliations include the TX Music Educators Association, the TX Bandmasters Association, the TX Music Adjudicators Association, as well as membership in the professional music fraternity, Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Straka is a Life-Member of the Texas PTA.
Mr. Straka is a graduate of West Virginia University and the Yale School of Music where he earned his master’s degree in performance on clarinet. He has performed in various orchestras and bands throughout New England and has toured Italy, performing with Musicisti Americani. More recently he has performed with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and is currently a member of the Plano Community Band.
Mr. Straka’s professional affiliations include the TX Music Educators Association, the TX Bandmasters Association, the TX Music Adjudicators Association, as well as membership in the professional music fraternity, Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Straka is a Life-Member of the Texas PTA.
Ben Altom
Ben Altom is beginning his 11th year in music education and as the Associate Band Director at Schimelpfenig Middle School in Plano, TX.
Mr. Altom graduated from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN, in 2007 with a Bachelor's of Music Degree in Music Education. While at Tech, he was a member of numerous ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Trumpet Ensemble, and Brass Quintets. He studied trumpet with Dr. Charles Decker and conducting with Joseph Hermann.
Mr. Altom is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He resides in Prosper, TX, with his wife Mary, son Jaxon, and daughter Lily.
Mr. Altom graduated from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN, in 2007 with a Bachelor's of Music Degree in Music Education. While at Tech, he was a member of numerous ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Trumpet Ensemble, and Brass Quintets. He studied trumpet with Dr. Charles Decker and conducting with Joseph Hermann.
Mr. Altom is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He resides in Prosper, TX, with his wife Mary, son Jaxon, and daughter Lily.
