In Irish's first four years at Summer Creek, all Irish led ensembles received Sweepstakes Awards at UIL. Dozens of Summer Creek students were named to region, area, all-state, received gold medals at State TSSEC, and performed with the Houston Youth Orchestras. In the Spring of 2022, the Summer Creek Symphony was highly praised with two judges noting they were moved to tears, while the Chamber Orchestra was credited with "exceptional artistry" by a Music for All evaluator. In 2023, an abundance of judges and clinicians commented on the both the Full Symphony and Chamber Orchestra's musicality including panel members judging Sightreading at UIL. In 2024, judges continued their appreciation citing "WOW WOW WOW - Stunning, mature, musical performance", "I loved all the details, it gave me all the feels", and another's commenting on Adagio for Strings of just "Thank you." In 2025, a UIL judge called the performance of Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis "Breathtaking", while after hearing the third orchestra perform, another judge wrote "This is the best of Texas Music Education!"
Previously, Mr. Irish served as the Director of Orchestras (2015-2021) and Director of Bands (2013-2020) at Palo Verde World School in Las Vegas, Nevada. His work with the Palo Verde music program led to being named to the inaugural Yamaha 40 Under 40 for Music Education.
Following being named Indiana Music Educator of the Year in 2013 by Indianapolis Youth Orchestras, Irish tripled the enrollment of both the band and orchestra program in his first three years as director, creating the Palo Verde Philharmonic in 2016. The Palo Verde Philharmonic finished 2nd place in the full orchestra division at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in 2019 and was invited to perform at the 2020 Music for All National Festival. Under Irish’s tenure as Director of Bands, Palo Verde's Wind Orchestra was selected three times (2015, 2018, 2020) to the featured stage of the National Festival, performed at numerous Music for All Regional Affiliate festivals and hosted the Las Vegas Concert Band Festival, starting in 2019. All ensembles under Irish’s direction received Superior Ratings in all CCSD-sponsored festivals including concert band, jazz band, and orchestra. Irish was recognized by U.S. House Representative Susie Lee for the accomplishments achieved at Palo Verde during Irish's tenure.
Irish has conducted performances in Czech Republic, Germany, and China. Irish is a published arranger with his setting “Suite from ‘The Mikado’” having been performed on “Marquee Mojo” with the UNLV Wind Orchestra on Klavier Records (K11185), as well as being found in Teaching Music Through Performance in Band Vol. 9, and featured on “Wind and Rhythm” on NPR. Teaming with David Maccabee, Irish was a presenter at the Arts Empowerment MEGA Conference, discussing transitioning a marching program from competitive to non-competitive. Irish received an MM in Wind Conducting and BME from UNLV, as well as having taken undergraduate music classes at Ball State University. Irish previously taught band and choir at North White Jr./Sr. High School in Monon, Indiana where similar growth occurred. Irish was recognized by U.S. House Representative Todd Rokita for having 100% superior ratings for all entries at Solo & Ensemble in his second year at North White.
Irish welcomed his first born, Kieran, in the summer of 2024 with his wife and love of his life Karen.
Dr. Francis Ku
Dr. Ku joined the Summer Creek High School Orchestra as Assistant Director beginning in the 2025-26 school year.
A native of Hong Kong, Dr. Francis Ku holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting with a minor in Music Education from Louisiana State University. He also earned a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting and a Certificate in Violin Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he was honored as a Scholar of the College of Liberal Arts in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement.
Dr. Ku began his conducting journey inspired by Francis Kan and received mentorship from esteemed conductors including Clifton Evans, Robert Gutter, Ovidiu Balan, Scott Terrell, and Damon Talley. Over the years, his work has been recognized with multiple awards and distinctions in the field of orchestral conducting.
In 2017, Dr. Ku won first prize at the 14th Annual International Conductor’s Workshop and Competition in Atlanta, which led to a guest conducting engagement with the Gwinnett Symphony Chamber Orchestra. The following year, he was named Outstanding Academy Conductor by the International Institute for Conductors of the Bacau Philharmonic in Romania. In 2023, he was selected as a Conducting Associate for the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and as a Conducting Fellow at the Reynolds Conducting Institute at the Midwest Clinic. Throughout the years, his works with orchestras at UT Arlington and LSU have been recognized by The American Prize. In 2024, he was awarded second prize in Orchestral Conducting.
As an active violinist and violist, Dr. Ku continues to perform regularly as an orchestral and chamber musician. He previously served as Assistant Conductor, Concertmaster, and Principal Violist in the UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra. His string mentors include Gilbert Sak, Martha Walvoord, and Cathy Forbes.
Passionate about music education, Dr. Ku has worked with students from middle school to the collegiate level. Under the mentorship of David Saccardi, Professor of Music Education at LSU, he developed a deep commitment to nurturing young musicians. For Dr. Ku, music education is not only about musical excellence, but also about supporting the personal and artistic growth of every student.
