60s Alumni Spotlights

1987 was my second year to serve on the faculty at West Texas State University. The band alumni from the 1960s generation organized an event that fall to celebrate Dr. Gary Garner’s 25th year as Director of Bands at WT. It was my good fortune to begin a friendship with that wonderful group of former band members at that time. I have always been impressed to see first-hand how much of a bond that they have with each other and how much respect and admiration they have for Dr. Gary Garner. At that time, I really did not fully understand the impact that they had on the band program at WT and what they had collectively accomplished during their tenure. Since then, however, I have become very much aware of the accomplishments of this generation!

Here are a few:

• 1966—Symphonic Band performance at the Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma District convention at TCU in Ft. Worth
• 1967—Symphonic Band performance at the MENC Southwest Division convention, Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO
• 1968—Symphonic Band’s first performance at the TMEA Performance, Austin

In addition, our alumni from the 1960s are responsible for seeding almost all the scholarships that are held at the Opportunity Plan, Inc., in Canyon and on the campus of WTAMU. Imagine the impact these scholarships have had on our band students and band program over the last 60 years.

Unfortunately, we have lost many of our friends from this generation. It is only fitting that we take the time to honor them today via our WT Band Alumni Spotlights that we will be publishing over the next few weeks. It is my hope that we never forget what this generation has done for all of us who belong to this amazing band of brothers and sisters. Please help us celebrate the life and legacy of our 60s generation band alumni!

Sincerely,
Don Lefevre
Director of Bands
West Texas A&M University