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Roger Winslow was born in Decatur, Illinois on January 30, 1930. He lived in Gunnison, Colorado and attended his first twelve years in school there. He received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison.

Roger taught in Idaho for two years and then spent the next thirty-two years teaching music in Texas. His first Texas jobs were in Brownsboro, DeKalb and later at L. D. Bell High School in Hurst where his bands were consistent Sweepstakes winners. In addition, the L.D. Bell band was selected as Texas Music Educators Association AAAAA Honor Band in 1971, and the recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor in 1984 with membership in the John Philip Sousa Hall of Fame for High School Bands.

During his teaching career, Roger served as a clinician and adjudicator over a four-state area. He was inducted into the Region V Band Director’s Hall of Fame in 1992. Mr. Winslow has many former students teaching and directing bands throughout the southwest.

Following his retirement from public teaching in 1984, Roger continued to teach trombone, baritone and tuba students privately. He is a member of TMEA and TMAA. He enjoys travel, hunting, fishing and yard work.

Roger and his wife, Mary Lee, have been married forty-two years and have three sons: Steve, a former band director at Lena Milliken Middle School in Lewisville; John, a band director at Smithfield Middle School; and Rocky, a trumpet and jazz instructor at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. The Winslows also have three daughters-in-law who have their degrees in music. They have three granddaughters.

Roger has many memories of outstanding moments and performances in the past. His only words of wisdom to other directors are to remember “It’s for the kids, and they deserve your best every day.”