WT Band Director Scholar (WTBS) Program

Dear WT Alumni,

If you are currently a band director and a WT Alumni, we need your help. I am writing to personally share an opportunity from the WTAMU School of Music that is built on your professional judgment: the WT Band Director Scholar (WTBS) Program.

The heart of this program is simple—we trust the decisions that band directors make. Each year, you may nominate one student for admission to West Texas A&M University through WTBS. We recognize that talented, hardworking student musicians can sometimes be overlooked in the traditional admissions process, and that a student’s potential is not always fully reflected through the Texas All-State process. No one knows these students as well as you do. You understand their work ethic, character, persistence, and true potential for success. That personal connection matters to us at WT.

Your nomination provides the following opportunities for your student:

• Express admission to the University (pending eligibility)
• An invitation to audition for the School of Music (Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 9:00 AM)
• Scholarship consideration

To qualify, the student must meet the Texas Uniform Admission Policy and at least one of the following criteria:

• Top 35% high school class rank
• 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)
• 21 ACT
• 1070 SAT composite score

Once you submit the online recommendation form, we will personally contact the student to let them know of your confidence in them—and our confidence in you. From there, we will guide them individually through the remaining steps in the process.

For the Fall 2026 class, we encourage you to submit your nomination as soon as possible so your student can take full advantage of music scholarship opportunities. If you have a student who simply needs guidance and support to take the next step, I strongly encourage you to consider nominating them. Sometimes, a single recommendation from a teacher can truly change the trajectory of a life.

I know this firsthand. In the spring of 1975, I was a senior at Fort Stockton High School planning to attend Texas Tech University and major in Business. Thankfully, my band director, Mr. Don Hanna, took the time to arrange an audition for me at West Texas State University. I will always be grateful to him for the effort he invested in his students at Fort Stockton High School and beyond. I truly owe him my career.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions. I would be glad to visit with you about a specific student. Thank you for your continued support of the School of Music at WTAMU and for everything you do for music education across the state of Texas.