WT Band Alumni Spotlight: Judy Pierce

What years were you in the WT Band? When did you graduate?

1966-1970

What was your degree in?

BS Major - Elementary Ed. Minor - Music and a Minor in English

Where are you living now and what are you doing?

Jim and I moved from Cupertino, CA to Sparks, NV after I retired in 2007.

I have been involved with the WT Band Alumni, its web and the WT Band Alumni Board. I attended West Texas on a scholarship and have always felt so appreciative of receiving this because my parents would not have been able to give me this opportunity. It is for this reason I try to give back to our WT music program by working with the Alumni Board and keeping our 60s alumni connected.

I golf; something I started when I retired to be able to golf with Jim. Currently, I am president of our ladies club, Red Hawk Womens Golf Club. However, if I get one round of golf in with Jim in a week, it is unusual these days.

Tell us about your family.

We have three sons; one son lives close to us, one in Oklahoma and one in Maryland. Two of our sons are Eagle Scouts and the third just retired as a Chief after 24 years in the Navy. We have four grandchildren, so we try to keep up with their activities from afar. We even get to watch Little League games back in Maryland thanks to a streaming app called Game Changer.

What instrument did you play?

Clarinet

What ensembles and student groups were you involved in while you were at WT?

Marching Band and Symphonic Band, Tau Beta Sigma

Tell us a favorite band memory that you have from your time at WT.

I have to say my special memories of WT all stemmed from music and participating in the band. One of my special memories took place my Freshman year in 1967, the second semester when our Symphonic Band performed at MENC in Colorado Springs. The last piece we played was the Symphonic Movement by Vaclav Nelhybel. As we progressed to the end, the tempo increases with intensity with occasional respites, and an explosive finale. When we finished, the audience made up of band directors from across the United States stood on their feet with an applause I thought would never end. It was during the roaring applause, I truly felt like I would pass out from my exhilaration and appreciation of our audience. (Symphonic Movement is on our WT website.)

Share with us what you miss most about your time at WT.

Entering WT was a new world for me, and a world filled with everlasting friendships. I would say I miss the fellowship we were able to share day to day. Bonding often took place when we would sit on the steps of the FAB or in the Student Lounge. We were and still are family. I truly believe, I could call anyone of our Buff family if I needed something, and they would help me.

The rehearsals with Dr. Garner were filled with quality instruction and a lot of humor. However, what I miss most is the feeling of satisfaction when we performed under Dr. Garner’s guidance. Even today, I can play recordings of our performances, and am transformed back to those special moments; moments of pride and a true sense of accomplishment

Do you have a favorite memory or highlight that has happened for you since graduation?

This has to be marrying my soulmate. Jim and I met in Colorado Springs,in August 1970 where Jim was stationed with the Air Force. We married 4 months later and will celebrate our 55th anniversary in December. Along with having a phenomenal man in my life, our three sons have given us so many wonderful memories. God has been there guiding us every step of the way.

A few music highlights:

Being able to bring music into my self-contained classrooms using singing, recorders and xylophones.

Directing whole-school music programs at our elementary school when the district removed music teachers from the elementary schools.

Stepping in as a substitute to conduct my neighbor’s Junior High School band when he had a heart attack which prepared the band for their Spring concert.

A golf tidbit. Making two hole-in-ones. Ha Ha It’s all luck.

What did you learn from your time at WT?

Keep good work ethics, keep a schedule for practice, study, sleep and fun. This allows you to enjoy the results of your hard work and achievements. Again, use the resources and take the advice of your mentors who are at every turn at WT.

What are some of your favorite musical memories?

My Pampa High School Band performing with Doc Severinson and meeting him again in the early nineties with our son who plays the trumpet.

Making All-State two years when in high school on the E flat Clarinet.

Marching down the ramp for pregame at WT.

Why did you come to WT?

That's very simple; my music scholarship which I have been eternally grateful to have received.

What was your favorite band trip and why did you like it so much?

It would definitely be our trip to Colorado Springs in the Spring of 1967 when we performed at MENC. Oh, I would have loved to go to Carnigie Hall.

Do you have any advice for current WT students?

Treasure the time you have at WT and make good use of your time. Take advantage of the resources available to you. Remember these people you play with and perform with because they can be true friends for decades to come.

What else would you like for us to know? (Career or family highlights, awesome memories, people who inspired you at WT etc.)

Dr. Garner, Dr. Green, My Tau Beta Sigma sisters