Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy.
Hi Kathy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in a musical family and received my bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education.
I started my career as an assistant band director in a little town named Rosebud Lott and I taught 500 students in kindergarten to 12th.
Shortly after, I became the Head Band Director at Meadowbrook Middle School in Fort Worth. While I was there, I helped grow the band to 300 members. Meadowbrook was the first middle school band in FWISD to achieve a UIL sweepstakes award
In 1995, I became the head director at Eastern Hills High School and competed nationally for top awards. For the first time in the history of the school, Eastern Hills advanced to the UIL Area Marching Contest.
I taught for twenty-nine years and would still be teaching, unfortunately my mother had dementia and early signs of Alzheimer’s. I made the decision to retire in 2013 to take care of her, she passed away in 2014.
I wasn’t ready to give up music, so I founded the East Fort Worth Community Jazz Band (EFWCJB) in November of 2014. The first rehearsal consisted of 8 musicians.
I am so happy to say that we are celebrating our 11th season with 26 very accomplished and dedicated members. We perform at least once a month and have performed in over 100 concerts in our 11 years.
In the second season, I decided to use our talents not only to perform but also to raise money for the EFWCJB High School Scholarship Program. In ten years, we have awarded $50,000 in high school scholarships. The band looks forward to this concert every year, because the scholarship winners perform with EFWCJB to receive their scholarship funds.
As part of our fundraising, we host a Big Band Dinner and Dance with food, door prizes and a silent auction. The Dallas and Fort Worth Community were wonderful this year and helped us raise over $11,000! This year we also hosted a Jazz Festival and 20 high school jazz bands competed for top awards.
My hope is for the band to continue to grow and provide more opportunities for musicians, help our community and provide more venues for young musicians
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a smooth ride with an abundances of wonderful talented musicians who volunteer to join us and share their talents.
The challenge has been a rehearsal space. From 2014 – 2019 we moved four times but in 2019, we were fortunate that the Meadowbrook Poly United Methodist Church opened their doors for us. We now have a wonderful rehearsal space on the 2nd floor called “The Loft”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am of proud and honored to be the founder and musical director of the East Fort Worth Community Jazz Band. Even though I retired, I work part time as the Instrument Inventory and Repair Coordinator for the FWISD Visual and Performing Arts Department where I am responsible for 12,000 school own instruments. I also enjoy sharing my talent by playing saxophone and clarinet with the Shriner Temple Band.
What does success mean to you?
It’s not work if you love what you do. I feel success when I encounter a former student or parent and they tell me how I influenced their life; they take the time to share their memories and mention how they think about me often.
Contact Info:
- Website: www,efwcjb.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hoVeBVfe/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@eastfortworthcommunityjazz3105?si=5-wku8ztQNP1X-EB
