CW4 Jeffrey Lightsey - Band Commander
The Commander of the 36th Infantry Division Band is Chief Warrant Officer Four Jeff Lightsey of New Braunfels, Texas. CW4 Lightsey has served the United States Army and the Texas Army National Guard for 33 years. During his 15-year tenure as the Bandmaster of the “Lone Star” Band, the unit received the “Howard Citation for Musical Excellence for Military Bands”, presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2008, 2012, and 2015. In 2010 Chief Lightsey and the unit deployed to Iraq to serve United States Division South, becoming only the third National Guard and reserve force band to deploy in support of the War on Terror. The 36th Infantry Division Band was presented its prestigious band tab from the United States Department of Heraldry in Basra, Iraq in 2011.
When not on duty, CW4 Lightsey serves Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in New Braunfels, TX as the school Principal. CW4 Lightsey earned his master’s degree in music education at Baylor University in 1996, and his Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas in Austin in 1991. Mr. Lightsey, and his lovely wife Molly of 23 years have four wonderful children, Hunter, Clark, Marlee, and Reid, and reside in New Braunfels, Texas. CW4 Lightsey has served as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor for bands throughout Texas. He holds professional affiliations with the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, the National Warrant Officer Association, and the National Guard Association of Texas.
CW2 seth magee - executive officer
CW2 Magee holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College (2012) and a Master of Music in Music Performance from The Pennsylvania State University (2014). While at Penn State, he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, instructing tuba courses, providing private lessons, and organizing chamber music recitals.
As an accomplished tubist, he has served as Principal Tuba for the Pierre Monteux School Orchestra (2014) and the Nittany Valley Symphony Orchestra (2013–2014).
Born in Concord, New Hampshire, CW2 Magee relocated to Texas in 2015. He currently resides in Harker Heights, Texas, with his wife, Elizabeth—whom he met in college—and their dog, Finley.
Chief Warrant Officer Two Seth Magee is a dedicated and organized musician, conductor, and educator who balances a dual career as a military band officer and a public school band director.
CW2 Magee serves as the Executive Officer and Associate Conductor of the 36th Infantry Division "Lone Star Band" in Austin, Texas. In this role, he supervises non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel and conducts a 55-piece concert band for rehearsals, live performances, and official military events. In addition to leading high-profile performances—including at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, at notable venues across Texas, and internationally in Saint Raphael, France—he manages the band's administrative duties, such as recruitment, event programming, and strategic communication.
CW2 Magee originally joined the Army as a tuba player, serving with the 1st Cavalry Division Band from 2014 to 2018. During this time, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, performing extensively for military and civilian audiences in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Jordan. Additionally, he served as Operations Sergeant for 34 chamber concerts and as an educational engagement manager, organizing performances for over 2,500 students.
Broadening his leadership scope, CW2 Magee served as Human Resources Officer for the Texas Military Department from 2022 to 2024, managing personnel administration for 966 soldiers, leading a 15-person HR team, and guiding the battalion through critical transitions, including deployments and personnel reductions. He recently completed the Warrant Officer Basic Course (Bandmaster) in May 2024. His highly decorated service includes the Meritorious Service Medal (2025), the Texas Outstanding Service Medal (2024), seven Army Achievement Medals, and recognition as an Advanced Leadership Course Honor Graduate.
In his civilian occupation, CW2 Magee is a highly successful Band Director at Killeen Independent School District, where he currently instructs 93 beginner band students and leads a 60-student concert band. He is recognized for his ability to dramatically expand and elevate music programs.
1SG Gary Brock - 1st Sergeant
The First Sergeant of the 36th Infantry Division Band is First Sergeant Gary Brock of Spring, Texas. While in the 36 th ID Band 1SG Brock served as section leader of the Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba sections and as the Enlisted Conductor. 1SG Brock began his military service in 1987 as a Refueler Vehicle Mechanic at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas as a member of the Texas Air National Guard’s 147 th Fighter Wing. He was deployed to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991, serving at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico. He ended his initial military service in 1995. 1SG Brock re-entered military service in 2002 as a Euphonium player for the Texas Army National Guard. His military education includes Special Vehicle Mechanics Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Infantry Transition Course, Advanced Leadership Course, and Senior Leadership Course. He is a retired Texas Public school teacher, serving the communities of Highlands, League City and Aldine for 26 years. Since retiring, he earned his Class A CDL working in the Recreational Vehicle delivery and dump truck industries. 1SG Brock is currently in a deployed status with the Texas border mission, Operation Lone Star, where he was deputized as a Customs and Border Protection agent. 1SG Brock has a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Sam Houston State University, where he met his wife, Allison. They have 2 children, Ethan, and Aislynn.
SFC Sarah Stofer - Readiness NCO
The Readiness NCO of the 36th Infantry Division Band is Sergeant First Class Sarah Stofer. SFC Stofer assumed the role of Readiness NCO in December 2023. She has served in the military for 10 years, focusing on Logistics, ensuring the Band has the equipment, instruments, uniforms, meals, and transportation necessary to complete their mission. She started her career as a Trombone Player with the 36th Infantry Division Band in 2015. She was activated in support of Hurricane Harvey recovery operations in 2017. SFC Stofer started her full-time National Guard time by serving an ADOS tour with the Band, as a Supply and Admin Clerk from May - September 2018. Later that year, she served an ADOS tour with the Texas Military Department SAPR/SHARP office, performing administrative duties from November 2018 - January 2020. She was selected to be the Supply NCO in February 2020. SFC Stofer has a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern College. She has two cats, Molly and Treble.