WT Band Alumni Spotlight: Alfred N. “Buzzy” Green
What years were you in the WT Band? When did you graduate?
1969-1972
What was your degree in?
Bachelor of Music Education ('72) - Master of Arts with Composition emphasis ('73) - DMA in Instrumental Conducting (1980) from the University of Kansas
Where are you living now and what are you doing?
Sue and I currently live in the Piney Woods near Gilmer, Texas. We sold RhythmBee, Inc. in June, 2025 after founding it in 2005. So we are now fully retired.
Tell us about your family.
Sue Jane Sanders and I met on the first day of tenth grade at Pampa High School. I was "hanging out" in the hallway before the start of first period and saw Sue approaching. I was smitten and had a one-word impression of the beauty I saw before me. "WIFE"
We dated through high school and married on March 22, 1970, which was Spring Break of our freshman year at WTSU. As of March 22, 2025, we have been married 55 years.
We have two sons. Jeremy (born in 1975) has a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. He works from his home in Norman, OK.
Nathan (born in 1977) has a BS in Architecture from the University of Oklahoma and a Fashion Design Certificate from the New School in NYC. He now works for Tiffany and Co. in NYC as Director of Design.
We have no grandchildren.
What instrument did you play?
Euphonium, bass guitar
What ensembles and student groups were you involved in while you were at WT?
Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble (bass), Kappa Kappa Psi, Sinfonia
Tell us a favorite band memory that you have from your time at WT.
It was my honor to serve as Drum Major for the 1970, 1971 Marching Bands. Getting to work so closely with Dr. Garner and Mr. Baird was a treat. One of my fondest memories was seeing them take a marching assignment in the band to demonstrate the level of energy that they wanted to inspire in their students. (They could out-perform any and all of us.)
Conducting such a fine band on a regular basis during the fall was an honor and a great pleasure.
Share with us what you miss most about your time at WT.
The camaraderie among the band members, my fraternity brothers, and the "FAB Rats" was a source of pride and pleasure over those college years.
Do you have a favorite memory or highlight that has happened for you since graduation?
Of course, the births of both sons were highlights of our lives since the WTSU days. Seeing them succeed in their pursuit of university degrees and professional occupations was also a gratifying experience for Sue and myself.
On a professional level, serving schools and universities in three states broadened my experiences and allowed me to assist teachers and students in their development of music performance skills and professional pedagogy philosophies. Seeing their growth over the years and the progression of their career paths is also a gratifying experience.
What did you learn from your time at WT?
My days with Garner, Baird, Ritter, Umberson, Nelson, etc. provided a comprehensive preparation that made it possible for me to pursue a terminal degree.
What are some of your favorite musical memories?
Senior recital - Symphonic Band tour concerts
Why did you come to WT?
Growing up in Pampa, I was fortunate to have band clinic experiences with Dr. Garner and Don Baird on an annual basis. I remember Don Baird playing "Napoli" at one of our spring concerts, and I was blown away. The first clinic with Dr. Garner that I recall was when I was an eighth-grade cornet player in Harris Brinson's Pampa Junior High Band. Dr. Garner's skill and his diligent use of the allotted time were impressive to my undeveloped musical sensibilities. I recall that I went home praising Dr. Garner to my mother. I credit that experience with moving me toward an early decision that I would be a band director. I could imagine no finer place to study than where Garner and Baird were teaching.
What was your favorite band trip and why did you like it so much?
Symphonic Band tours and that one "away game" football trip per year were especially fun.
Do you have any advice for current WT students?
The university years are critical to your future success. Those years provide the best opportunity for you to become a fine performer on your instrument of choice. Remember that has less to do with your intelligence and more to do with your diligence to train your body to execute at high levels of "automaticity."
Although few of us become professional performers, the skills and musical instincts that you can develop in only those university years are applicable to any music career that you might choose. So . . . practice - practice - practice!!
What else would you like for us to know? (Career or family highlights, awesome memories, people who inspired you at WT etc.)
My career track - Pampa HS Grad in 1969 - WTSU BME in 1972 - Pampa Junior High (72-73) - WTSU MA in 1973 - Borger Middle School (73-74) - Borger High School (74-76) - Southwest Baptist College (76-80) - The University of Kansas (DMA '80) - Sul Ross State University (80-82) - Monahans High School (82-85) - Merril Lynch Financial Consultant (85-88) - Putnam City Schools Music Coordinator (88-97) - Oklahoma City Schools Fine Arts Director (97-2000) - Irving ISD Fine Arts Director (00-09) - Founded RhythmBee, Inc. in 2005 - Sold RhythmBee, Inc. in 2025
Each of those positions had great career potential. When considering moving to that "greener grass," consider the family and professional benefits of "staying put."