Digital Scrapbook

J. W. King was born April 17, 1921 in Roscoe, Texas, and graduated from high school at Loraine, Texas in 1939. He attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, earning his Bachelor and Master's degrees in Education. He was a member of several Air Force bands during World War II as a horn player, and has continued to play horn during his teaching career in the Lubbock, Amarillo, and Plainview symphonies.
Professionally, he has been Director of Bands at Westbrook High School, 1941-42; Big Spring High School, 1947-53; Hale Center High School, 1953-70; Canyon High School 1970-79; and Assistant Director at Plainview High School, 1979-1983. He has also been active in summer band camp activities, having taught in The Texas Tech Band Camp for 15 years, the Midwestern State University Band Camp for 25 years, and the West Texas State University Band Camp for a total of 32 years.

J. W. Has served as President of Alpha Chapter, Phi Beta Mu, President of the Texas Bandmasters Association, and President of TMEA. He is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, and the American School Band Directors Association. In 1977, TBA recognized J. W. as Bandmaster of the Year. In 1965, he was recognized by the School Musician magazine in the feature called "They Are Making America Musical".

J. W. and his wife, Mary Jane, were recognized by the University of North Texas Concert Band when the band extended an invitation to their three children to perform with the North Texas Band at TMEA in 1989 as soloists, and J. W. as one of the guest conductors. Their children are: Dr. Mary Karen Clardy, faculty, University of North Texas; Nancy Sanders, woodwind instructor, McMurry University; and John King, Principal Trumpet in the "California Symphony" and freelance trumpet player in the Bay Area.

J. W.'s bands have been consistent Sweepstakes winners in UIL events, and have won many outstanding awards at other festivals throughout the United States. J. W.'s Canyon High School Band played for President Gerald Ford when he made an appearance in Canyon in 1976. J. W. has a total of 41 years as band director in Texas public schools, and even though he says he's retired, he still goes every day to Plainview High School to help with the band students. He presently is Executive Secretary of UIL Region XVI. J. W. and Mary Jane live in Plainview, Texas.