COPPERAS COVE – The next leader of the Pride of Cove has been approved.
Tuesday, during a special meeting, the Copperas Cove ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the hiring of veteran band director Mario Morales to be the next Director of Instrumental Music in CCISD.
“I am incredibly honored to be named the new Director of Instrumental Music in Copperas Cove,” Morales said. “It is a privilege to join a community with such a strong tradition of musical excellence and student achievement. I look forward to working alongside the talented students, dedicated staff and supportive families to continue building a program that inspires passion, pride and lifelong musicianship. I am excited for all that lies ahead as we make music and memories together in Copperas Cove.”
A central Texas native, Morales has served in this role in multiple districts, leading successful band programs. Most recently, he has been Director of Bands in Yoakum ISD, earning a 1st-division rating at Region Marching Contest in 2024, guiding the Bulldog Band to the UIL Area E Finals in Class 3A. In 2025, Morales’ band earned Sweepstakes honor at UIL Concert & Sight-reading Contest.
Prior to Yoakum, Morales was the Director of Bands and Instrumental Music Supervisor at 5A Granbury High School from 2022-2024, earning a 1st-division rating at Region Marching Contest both years, advancing to Area Marching Contest. At the same time, the Pirate bands earned Sweepstakes for each band in the district both years and was named the 2023 TMEA 5A Area Honor Band Contender for Area B.
While at Granbury, Morales also served as a dual credit instructor for music appreciation through Weatherford College & Tarrant County College.
Prior to Granbury, Morales led the Kaufman High School program as Director of Bands from 2019-22, earning a 1st-divison rating at Region Marching Contest in all three years, advancing to the Area Marching Contest Finals in 2019 & 2021. In 2021, the Lion Band earned Sweepstakes for every band in the district at UIL Concert & Sight-reading Contest.
From 2016-2019, Morales was the Director of Bands at Castleberry High School near Fort Worth, earning a 1st-division rating at Region Marching Contest in 2016, 2017 and 2018, qualifying for Area Marching Contest in both 2016 & 2017. In 2018, Morales guided the Lion Band to an 11th-place finish at the UIL State Marching Band Championships in Class 4A.
“Mr. Morales’ track record speaks for itself and his vision for band truly set him apart during the interview process,” said Dr. Brent Hawkins, Superintendent of Schools. “The Pride of Cove has long been a gem in our community and we are absolutely confident that Mr. Morales can help us take the next step toward the Alamodome and continue to enhance not just our band program, but music across CCISD.”
Morales holds a bachelor’s degree from UT-Arlington and master’s degree from William Carey University. He served as an assistant director from 2007-2016 at Fort Worth Trimble Tech and Alief Hastings High Schools.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, trustees heard a presentation of the results from an energy audit conducted by Schneider Electric.
Trustees also discussed funding options for Goal 1 in the Board of Trustees Goals, adopted in April, specifically addressing elementary enrichment.
“By approving this funding for elementary enrichment and reviewing the energy audit from Schneider Electric, our district is not only taking steps to provide a better educational experience for students, it’s taking steps to cut costs on the second-largest expense our district has,” Hawkins said. “We will continue to work on both of these goals, in order to ensure we remain fiscally responsible and provide a quality educational experience for all of the students in Copperas Cove.”
The Board of Trustees is next scheduled to hold its regular May workshop & meeting. The workshop is scheduled for Noon on Mon., May 12th in the Board Room at the District Service & Training Center on South Main Street. The regular meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tues., May 13th and will be held in Lea Ledger Auditorium on the campus of Copperas Cove High School.
Agendas for all Board of Trustees meetings are posted outside the District Service & Training Center 72 hours prior. Once posted, they can be viewed on the School Board webpage.