Jeremy Strickland, currently assistant director of bands at Texas Christian University, has been selected as director of bands for Tyler Junior College, TJC officials have announced.
Strickland will begin his duties at TJC on June 1. He will lead the TJC band program, which consists of: Apache Band (marching band), three concert bands, two jazz ensembles, jazz combo, two percussion ensembles and indoor drumline.
He has served as assistant director of bands at TCU for the past seven years. Prior to TCU, he served as both assistant and head band director at Springtown High School.
Strickland said, “My family and I are extremely excited to be joining the TJC Apache family. The TJC band program has a rich history, and we look forward to continuing to entertain crowds and offer the best performance opportunities available to our students.
“I was blown away by the size of the campus and the friendliness I experienced when I visited TJC during my interview process,” he said. “It seemed like everyone we passed said ‘good morning’ on their way to class. That doesn’t happen everywhere.”
“TJC’s Apache Band is one of the hallmarks of excellence for our institution, and we celebrate the addition of Jeremy Strickland, who will bring a vast amount of experience combined with proven visionary leadership,” said Dr. Juan E. Mejia, TJC acting provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. “We are excited to see what Jeremy has in store for our students and communities when he joins us this summer.”
Strickland will replace longtime director Tom Mensch, who recently accepted a position as director of instrumental music at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler.
“We will always be grateful to Tom Mensch for his years of stellar leadership.,” Mejia said. “Tom was wonderful with our students and an expert in his field, and now we all look forward to the Jeremy Strickland era.”
Strickland added, “With the rising cost of getting a college education, we will be working toward TJC becoming the go-to place for student-musicians looking to begin the process of their performing and teaching careers. I can’t wait to get started.”
Strickland has been on staff with bands that have appeared in six bowl games including the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl, as well as marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association and the College Band Directors National Association.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities at TCU, he serves as the college band liaison for the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from The University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of the internationally acclaimed UT Wind Ensemble and Longhorn Band, known as “The Showband of the Southwest.” He earned his master’s degree in music from TCU.
His wife Ashley is a pharmacist, and they have three children: Kaden, age 8, and Hailey and Abigail, both age 4.
For more information on the TJC band program, go to http://www.tjc.edu/band.
C/O
Elise Mullinix
Editorial Manager
Marketing
Tyler Junior College
