Tate Fincher is in his ninth year as Director of Bands at Clear Creek High School, where he also serves as the Visual and Performing Arts Department Head. Since his arrival in 2018, the Clear Creek High School Band program has continued to grow in both size and scope, with expanded opportunities for students throughout the Clear Creek High School vertical cluster. Under his leadership, the program has remained a consistent UIL Sweepstakes award winner, while student participation and representation at the region, area, and state levels have continued to increase.

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Before joining Clear Creek High School, Mr. Fincher served for five years as Director of Bands at Akins High School in Austin, Texas, following one year as Associate Director. During his tenure at Akins, ensembles throughout the program earned UIL Sweepstakes and First Division ratings, the band program doubled in size, student placement in TMEA region bands tripled, and First Division ratings at UIL Solo & Ensemble doubled. He also established two competitive winter guard programs and helped make student enrichment, musical excellence, and individual growth central pillars of the Akins band experience. Prior to his time in Austin, Mr. Fincher served as an assistant director at Lake Highlands High School and Wylie High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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Mr. Fincher holds a Master of Music and a Master of Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University, as well as a Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree at Stephen F. Austin State University. In addition to adjudicating concert and marching band events, Mr. Fincher serves as a design analysis and general effect judge for winter guard circuits throughout the United States. He also serves as President of TMEA Region 17 and as Band Division Treasurer. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.