Hal McCarty graduated from North Texas State University in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in music education. He formed "The McCarty Academy of Music" in 1991 and began teaching instrumental music in private schools. Mr. McCarty teaches all the brass and woodwind instruments and piano. Currently Mr. McCarty is the principal trombone in the Austin Civic Orchestra and has played in various jazz band groups around town including the "Senators of Swing", "Corky Robinson and the Bluenotes", and "Big Band Sound of Austin." Hal has been married 25 years and is the father of 5 Texas children, two of which have graduated from UT. Hook em! Hal loves being with people , encouraging young parents, the Cubs and sneaking out to get a round of golf in when he has the time. It is a little known fact that Hal graduated high school in Cape Girardeau, MO in the same class as Redeemer's Minister of Music, Rob Gerlach.