WT Band Student Spotlight: Caleb Martin

Name: Caleb Martin

Years in Band: 2018 - 2024

Graduation & Degrees:
Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music Performance

What is your name?

My name is Caleb Martin, and I am from Plainview, TX.

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

I was in the band from 2018-2022 for my undergraduate, and 2023-2024 for my masters.
What is your degree in?

I have a degree in music education, and a master’s in music performance.

Where are you living now and what are you doing?

I am currently living in an apartment in Canyon. I am staying here until I finish my master’s degree, then I will HOPEFULLY move to the place I get a job!

Tell us about your family.

I was raised in Plainview, TX along with my brother and sister (both older), and my mom and my dad. My dad was the pastor at Parkview Baptist Church for over 20 years and is now semi-retired. My mom was the secretary at Parkview Baptist Church and is now a special education teacher at an elementary school in Plainview. My brother now lives with his family in Amarillo, TX and is a special education teacher as well at West Plains High School. My sister lives in Levelland, TX and is an elementary school teacher. My sister-in-law and my brother-in-law are also teachers. I figured it was best for me to keep the streak going and become a teacher as well!

What instrument do you play?

I play percussion.

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

• Drumline, 4 years, drumline captain 1 year.
• Percussion ensemble, 6 years (bachelors and masters)
• Symphonic Band, 6 years (bachelors and masters)
• Jazz Band, 1 year
• Brass choir, 2 years (percussionist)
• Orchestra 6 years/Principal 4 years
• Opera (percussionist)
• Band/Percussion GA, 2 years
• Ballet pit musician 1 year

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

It’s hard to think of ONE Mr. Lefevre moment, but I will always remember the hilarious stories and sayings he said. My favorite band memory is playing my senior recital 2 hours before the biggest blizzard in Texas history!
What is one significant thing that you learned from your time at WT?

No matter what, never give up on your students. They are capable of so much if you just believe and do your best to help them. Dr. Teweleit told me once that “nothing is hard if the students don’t know it is hard. Most of the time our own personal doubts get in the way of a student’s success.” That has stuck with me ever since.
What are some of your favorite musical memories?

My all-time favorite moment is performing at the 2024 TMEA convention in San Antonio, TX. I think that symphonic band was the best one I have been a part of in my 6 years at WT. I also loved performing at CBDNA in Athens, GA in 2023. I loved meeting the composers of the amazing pieces we were performing. I also loved performing at the 2020 TMEA convention. Most recently I had my graduate percussion recital of which I was very pleased with how I did. I am glad I was able to play in Dr. Tariq’s last percussion ensemble concert at WT.

Why did you come to WT?

Most of my band directors from Planview went to WT. All they did was praise how amazing the school of music was and they pretty much told me to not look anywhere else! My best friend went through the same experience, and we attended WT together. My friend went to band camp every year, and he talked about how great it was, which also made me want to attend WT.

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

My favorite band trip was the trip to CBDNA in 2023. It was my first time flying, and it was my first time to travel to a state that didn’t directly touch Texas. It was a very rewarding experience to see some of the best college bands in the country perform as well. It was SO MUCH fun!

Do you have any advice for current WT students?

I have two pieces of advice that I wish I did in my undergraduate. The first is to take private lessons on as many instruments as you can. Yes, you will learn A LOT in brass, woodwinds, and percussion class, but nothing is better than taking a private lesson from an artist player. I would at least take one brass, one woodwind, and one percussion lesson. You will be more marketable as a teacher, and more comfortable teaching instruments outside of your primary. And secondly, NETWORK! You hear your professors say it every day it seems like but is true. It matters who you know! Virtually every job, playing gig, teaching opportunity has been because I know someone. Don’t take networking for granted.

What is your next goal after WT?

I want to be a Percussion Coordinator for a school cluster. I have fallen in love with the percussion world, and I see it as a necessity for schools to hire a percussion coordinator if they can.

What else would you like for us to know?

I was a drumline tec for Canyon HS where we placed 2nd in percussion at the state marching contest. I was selected by Dr. Tariq to perform for the student showcase or honors recital every semester of my undergraduate.
I have taught percussion ensembles for high schools, junior highs, beginner, and a WT. I taught the drumline at WT for 2 years when I was a percussion GA.

I owe a huge thanks to the following professors for making me the musician and teacher I am today: Dr. Tariq, Mr. Lefevre, Dr. Teweleit, Dr. Brooks, Dr. Bartley, and Dr. Garner.

I have also taught percussion ensemble and helped bands at band camp for 3 years now.