Mr. Handte grew up in Midland, TX where he attended Legacy High School. During his time at Legacy, Mr. Handte played viola in the Symphony Orchestra and Trombone in the honor band where he developed his passion for music.

After graduating high school, Mr. Handte attended UT Permian Basin where he initially was a Mechanical Engineering major. After a year and a half, he came to his senses and changed his major to music. During his time at UTPB, he served as principal trombonist for the University Philharmonic and the Falcon Wind Ensemble. He also spent time serving in student government and as a Tutor/TA for Mathematics, Physics and Music Theory. Eventually, he graduated from UTPB Summa Cum Laude with a Major in Music and a Minor in Mathematics.

For the past two years, Mr. Handte has served as the Orchestra Director at Harris Middle School and assisted the mariachi program. During Mr. Handte’s tenure, the Harris Orchestra admitted its first students to the TMEA All- Region Orchestra and received its first UIL Sweepstakes award in the program’s history.

Mr. Handte is very excited to begin the next step in his musical journey at Johnson where he will pursue all of his passions as Assistant Band Director/Assistant Orchestra Director and instructor for the AP Music Theory course.