The Texas Bandmasters Association recently named Garland ISD’s George Jones recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Administrator Achievement Award. Jones will receive the award during the TBA Convention/Clinic in San Antonio this summer. The ceremony will be Thursday, July 26, at 7:15 p.m. in the Lila Cockrell Theatre. It will be followed by a performance by the U.S. Air Force Band of the West. The event is free to the public.
TBA promotes the value of music education and the important role instrumental music plays in our cultural, intellectual and social lives. Each year, TBA recognizes those who have made a difference in the lives of Texas band students. www.texasbandmasters.org.
George Jones: George W. Jones is originally from Pekin, Illinois where he graduated from Pekin Community High School. He was mentored by the original “Leader of the Band,” Lawrence Fogelberg who was immortalized in song by his son, Dan. Jones received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1977.
After graduation he was offered a full scholarship to Southern Methodist University where he served as the Graduate Assistant Conductor of the Wind Ensemble under the legendary Howard Dunn. He credits Dunn with teaching him the “Texas way” of doing things. During this time, he also served as a member and arranger for the Dallas Cowboy Band.
In 1977, Jones began his career with Garland ISD serving as band director at Memorial Middle School and assistant band director at South Garland High School with Randy Bartlett. In 1983, he assumed the position of head band director at Lakeview Centennial High School. In the 13 years that he served as director, the Lakeview Band earned numerous awards. The band celebrated the Texas Sesquicentennial by commissioning an overture by composer James Barnes titled “The Texans.” The band performed the work during a ceremony at Fair Park attended by President George H.W. and Barbara Bush. In 1996, Jones served as the first band director at Rowlett High School where he wrote the school’s Alma Mater and Fight Song.
He has served as the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the GISD since 1997. In this capacity, he oversees the operations, curriculum, staff development, budget and staffing for Music, Art, Theatre Arts, Dance and Competitive Speech. He is a constant advocate for the arts in education. Under Jones’ leadership, GISD has earned numerous awards along with the distinction of being named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation nine times. Additionally, GISD groups have performed at The Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, ACDA Conventions, many TMEA Conventions as well as national and international festivals.
Jones has served as chairman of the Metroplex Music Supervisors as well as President of the Texas Music Administrators Conference. In 2012, he was named the TMAC Music Administrator of the Year. He is an active member of TMEA, TBA, TMAA, Texas Music Administrators Conference, Phi Beta Mu-Alpha Chapter professional band fraternity and he is a Lifetime Member of the PTA. He has served as a music adjudicator and as a clinician throughout the state.
For 34 years he was conductor of the Richardson Community Band. During his tenure he instituted the band’s summer series, which has become a favorite summer activity for many. In 2010, Jones was presented with the first “Real Heroes Award” by the Richardson Coalition for his service as conductor of the RCB. In 2011, the Richardson Arts Alliance presented him with the “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Jones is passionate about offering the best possible arts education to the students of GISD.
“I believe that my most important task as an administrator is to hire great teachers, provide them with the necessary support and then let them work their magic,” he said. “In my 21 years as GISD Director of VAPA, I have witnessed great improvement in all of our programs.”
He also credits VAPA coordinators Brenda Hass, David Sanders and their secretaries for the success of the department.
“The GISD truly does believe in the education of the whole child and the support of the administrative team, the board of trustees and the community is second to none,” Jones said.
He lives in Wylie with his wife Donna. He has two children and four grandchildren. Being “Papa” is one of his greatest joys.