After 20 years away, Harold Raney is returning to DeKalb Independent School District (DISD) to lead a new generation of band youth.
Raney will be leading the middle school band as their new director for the 20252026 school year.
“I’m hoping to provide some of my experience and get the kids to reach a higher level. And I want to contribute to what Mr. (Michael) White is trying to do in trying to grow the program and make it a stronger program,” Raney said.
Raney formerly served as the director of bands for DISD. Under his direction, the Mighty Bear Band secured five consecutive sweepstakes awards and a state honor band championship in 2001. He left DISD in 2005 to pursue other business ventures and travel with his wife, he said.
“The main thing I missed was working with kids. Mr. White invited me to do some private lessons and that kinda got me interested again,” Raney said.
When the position became available, Raney said White reached out.
“I prayed about it. It felt right. Spoke to my wife, the wife thought it was okay,” Raney added.
Raney said that his time away from education hasn’t diminished his desire to help band students achieve success in their goals and gain experiences that will help them after graduation.
“Times change, but the main thing about teaching kids is the same. It’s still about helping them to grow and make good decisions and to look towards their future … They grow from it and they gain teamwork ex-perience. They gain working together and solving problems together. It has a mirror side of sports … they have to work as a team to accomplish goals,” Raney said.
“That’s one of the strongest benefits from a program like that is it gets them ready for life after school … We’re preparing them for life beyond school because, as they become adults, every decision they make as parents and family members impacts everybody around them.”
Raney will begin his new position in July with the start of the summer band program.
