Staff
Mighty Eagle Band Staff
Chris Dunning – Band Director
Mr. Chris Dunning has served as the Director of Bands at Crowley High School since 2021. Prior to his current position, he served as the school’s Assistant Band Director for two years, and previously directed the instrumental music program at International Leadership of Texas Keller-Saginaw HS. Under his leadership, Mr. Dunning’s ensembles and students have earned numerous Division 1 ratings and other accolades for musical excellence and performance, appeared on major TV networks, and performed in venues around Texas and the USA including Ranger Stadium and Carnegie Hall. In addition to his work in education, Mr. Dunning proudly served for 21 years with the 531st Air Force Band, performing across the country and around the world. Mr. Dunning holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership, both from the University of North Texas. At CHS, Mr. Dunning directs the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, supervises musical aspects of the Mighty Eagle Band, and manages all administrative aspects of the CHS Mighty Eagle Band and Colorguard.
Ken Danforth – Assistant Band Director
Ken Danforth is currently in his 29th year in Crowley ISD as the assistant band director at Crowley High School. Mr. Danforth is the director of the Jazz Band and Indoor Drumline, and teaches AP Music Theory. He also coordinates and teaches all Percussion from 6th-12th grade. Over the years he has received many sweepstakes awards in concert and marching band, several first divisions at Jazz band competitions, and consistently qualified solos and ensembles for Texas State Solo and Ensemble Competition. The Crowley Drumline has received many awards and participated in 8 Percussive Arts Society International Convention championships. Mr. Danforth is a member of TMEA, TBA, and the Percussive Arts Society.
Mr. Danforth is from Bakersfield California and has lived in Texas since 1989. Prior to moving to Texas, he was a member of the World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. He received his bachelor’s in music education in 1996 from the University of North Texas where he was a member of the award winning UNT Drumline.
Alessandro Peña – Assistant Band Director
Alessandro Peña serves as Assistant Band Director at Crowley High School. Alessandro is from Edinburg, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, and graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with his Bachelor’s in Music Education and his Master’s in Tuba Performance. While at UTRGV, Mr. Peña performed in multiple ensembles, including the wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, tuba/euphonium ensemble, and won the young artist solo
competition. During his time at the university, he was a graduate assistant with the marching band and the tuba/euphonium studio, teaching lessons and a college-level course. Outside of college, he was teaching at Sharyland Pioneer High School during the marching season and traveling to local competitions, Bands of America, and State Marching Band in San Antonio.
Mr. Peña marched with Drum Corps International groups Genesis, Crossmen, and Phantom Regiment, and has also taught on the brass staff of The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps for the past three years. Mr. Peña will be joining the Crowley Band in 2026. In his free time, he likes to game, listen to music, hang out with dogs, and cook.
At CHS, Mr. Peña directs the Symphonic Winds and Concert Winds, and supervises visual aspects of the Mighty Eagle Band.
Jacob Batson – Colorguard Director
Jacob Batson graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Sustainability and Ecosystem Science, with a concentration in Horticultural Management and Sustainable Farming. He is excited to begin teaching Chemistry at Crowley High School, where he looks forward to helping students build confidence and develop a love for science.
Outside the classroom, Jacob has spent the past six years teaching Color Guard, helping students grow as performers and leaders. He has also performed with several nationally recognized drum corps, including Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, Madison Scouts, Phantom Regiment, and The Cavaliers. During college, he performed with the Tarleton State University Purple Pride Independent.
Jacob enjoys combining his passion for education, science, and the performing arts to create a positive learning environment where students are encouraged to work hard, ask questions, and reach their goals.