Digital Scrapbook

From his earliest memory, Don T. Haynes, Jr. was influenced by his parents who were talented musicians and dedicated teachers. His father, Don T. Haynes, Sr. (1998 Hall of Fame Inductee) was the band director at Solomon Coles High School in Corpus Christi, Texas. His mother Sylvia, was an accomplished mezzo soprano who studied voice at Julliard and The University of Texas at Austin. Don’s dad was his first teacher, introducing him to the exciting world of instrumental music when he was only six years old. He was encouraged and challenged to play a variety of instruments including trumpet, horn, piano, flute and clarinet. His mom’s influence was also evident as she inspired him to develop his vocal talents. Don loved to sing and soon began to lead the youth choir at his church where he first discovered his fascination with conducting. Years later, he would begin the tradition of saluting graduating seniors with a song selected especially for them. Many students throughout his 42-year career would share that they considered the “serenade” by Mr. Haynes as the highlight of their senior year.

In 1969, Don graduated from Roy Miller High School in Corpus Christi. While there, he was fortunate to be mentored by his beloved band director, Mr. Eddie Galvan who would eventually serve as TBA president, be honored as Bandmaster of the Year and inducted into the Hall of Fame (1996). After high school, Don completed two years of study at Del Mar College School of Music and transferred to The University of Texas at Austin in 1971 where he became a section leader of the Longhorn Band. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UT in 1973 and his master’s in instrumental music and conducting in 1978. Upon his arrival at UT Austin, he met the love of his life, Cloteal Davis, a violin major, who happened to be in the same orchestration class. Earlier this year, Don and Cloteal celebrated thity-six years of marriage.

In the spring of 1973, Don did his student teaching at Webb Middle School in Austin. Here he would hone his teaching skills under the tutelage of Verda Herrington (Hall of Fame- 2002) who was considered to be one of the state’s most talented and respected premier band directors. Later that year, Herrington and Haynes were selected as Director and Assistant Director of Bands at the newly opened Anderson High School band. Ms. Herrington continues to be his life-long mentor and friend.

In 1975, Don was selected as the Director of Bands at LBJ High School in Austin with the support of another mentor--- Fine Arts Director, John Pearson. At only twenty-four years old, he was a bit nervous but was immediately re-assured when he was greeted with a standing ovation from the band the first time he took the podium. That was the beginning of a forty year journey with the Jaguar Band that Mr. Haynes considers nothing less than “a love affair.”

Under his leadership, the LBJ Band consistently earned Division I and Sweepstakes honors at UIL marching and concert performances and top honors at band festivals in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, California, and Colorado including first-place honors at the inaugural Fiesta Bowl marching competition in 1978. More than 25 years ago, Don had a vision for a marching band festival in Austin. His dream became reality in 1993 when the Capital City Marching Festival (CCMF) was born as a joint project of the band parent groups at Crockett High School and LBJ High School. The CCMF philosophy is that all high school bands deserve support and opportunities to showcase their talent. Each year, marching bands come from all areas of Texas participate in this pre-UIL event that builds student confidence and fosters band unity with great feedback from qualified adjudicators. The Capital City Marching Festival is now one of the premiere UIL – prep festivals in the state.

In 1996, the band was invited to represent the United States in the New Year’s Day Parade in London, England. They played concerts while touring England and France in 2000 and in 2007, the LBJ band toured Beijing, China, as music ambassadors designated by the American-Chinese Cultural Exchange Committee. This special trip culminated in a performance by the jazz band at the Great Wall of China under the direction of LBJ Jazz Director, Ponder East.

Toward the end of his tenure in 2013, Mr. Haynes and the LBJ Band had the phenomenal opportunity to experience the unique history and art of Florence, Rome and the Vatican during a time that happened to coincide with the election of the new Pope - Pope Francis.

Mr. Haynes has been honored over the years with several awards including the prestigious Denius Award for distinguished educators in 1994, sponsored by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). He was selected four times by his LBJ colleagues as Teacher of the Year. Don served on the Texas Bandmasters Association board of directors from 2006 to 2012 and he
is frequently invited to conduct and clinic region bands in Texas and throughout the United States.

In 2007, Don was humbled when the Austin Independent School District board named a new 500-seat performing arts theater on the LBJ High School campus The Don Haynes Theater---a special honor that he considers overwhelming even today!
After an incredibly satisfying 42- year career, Don retired in 2015. An audience of about 1000 students, alumni, faculty, administrators, parents, family and friends were in attendance to support him and his legacy. At that event, one of the speakers shared, “No resume, can capture Mr. Haynes’ greatest accomplishment over his forty years – influencing thousands of young people through his love for music, solid leadership, his dedication to excellence, and his commitment to creating a “band family” at LBJ High School, known as The One, The Only, LBJ Jaguar Band.”

On this occasion, Don is especially honored to once again follow in the footsteps of so many mentors and teachers that have come before him including his first teacher, his Dad, Don T. Haynes, Sr. who was inducted into the Hall of Fame 20 years ago in 1998. Haynes offers this message: “Throughout my life and music career, I have been greatly blessed with phenomenal mentors (Don Haynes, Sr., Eddie Galvan, Verda Herrington, Vincent DiNino, John Pearson), and the tremendous support of my incredible father. I add to that list my college music teachers, college band friends, the best college roommates, my terrific LBJ band students, and fellow colleagues who taught me and supported me over the years. Please know that I am filled with gratitude for each of you. A special hug goes to my amazing wife- Cloteal, my daughter- Arika and my son – Chris and my entire family. I accept this honor of the Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame in honor of each of you. Thank you everyone for your immeasurable love.”