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.
WO1 seth magee - executive officer
Warrant Officer 1 Seth Magee is the Executive Officer of the 36th Infantry Division Band. WO1 Magee previously served as a tuba player in the 36th ID Band. Currently activated full-time on Operation Lone Star, Mr. Magee is the Human Resources NCOIC for Task Force Center.
WO1 Magee was a 1st Cavalry Division Band musician from 2014 to 2018. He deployed with the 1CD Band to Afghanistan on Operation Enduring Freedom, performing extensively for military and civilian audiences in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Mr. Magee is a music educator with five years of experience as a band director at Killeen Independent School District. He was Head Band Director at Audie Murphy MS and Assistant Band Director at Roy J. Smith MS.
WO1 Magee earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College in 2012 and his Master’s in Music Performance from Penn State University in 2014.
Mr. Magee was born in Concord, New Hampshire, and moved to Texas in 2015. He resides in Harker Heights with his spouse, Elizabeth Magee, whom he met in college, and his dog, Finley.
1SG Jason Gagne - 1st Sergeant
The First Sergeant of the 36th Infantry Division Band is First Sergeant Jason Gagne. 1SG Gagne began his career began in the Rhode Island Army National Guard with the 88th Army Band in 2002 before transitioning to the Texas Army National Guard's 36th Infantry Division Band in 2008. Throughout his 20 years in the military, 1SG Gagne has delivered music from coast to coast in the United States as well as internationally from the Bahamas to Basra, Iraq. His military assignments have included Senior Instrumentalist, Trombone Section Leader, Low Brass Section Leader, Training and Operations NCOIC, Music Performance Team Leader, and Readiness NCO. 1SG Gagne's military training includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Senior Leader Course, Master Leader Course, Training NCO Course, Readiness NCO Course, Airborne School, Infantry Transition Course, and CREW Master Gunner. 1SG Gagne is currently serving a secondary assignment on State Active Duty for the Texas National Guard in support of Operation Lone Star. 1SG Gagne received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston in 2008. He met his amazing wife, Jessica, of 11 years while both were members of the 36th ID Band.
SSG Sarah Stofer - Readiness NCO
The Readiness NCO of the 36th Infantry Division Band is Staff Sergeant Sarah Stofer. SSG Stofer assumed the role of Readiness NCO in December 2023. She has served in the military for 7 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. SSG 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 February 2020. SSG Stofer has a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern College. She has two cats, Molly and Treble.