Promise No. 2: A Vibrant Student Life The TJC Apache Marching Band is the largest and most visible element of Tyler Junior College band program. Approximately 200 members strong, the Apache Band is a popular attraction at TJC football games and parades.
Sound beginnings
Apache Band program creates excellence, memories of a lifetime By Allen Arrick Photographer/Graphic Designer
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or a tuba player like Clay Garrett, there are very few professional performance jobs available. There are even fewer jobs playing tuba for the president of the United States. The Tyler Junior College graduate spent part of his winter break driving to Washington, D.C., to audition for the United States Marine Band, also known as the “President’s Own,” since it performs at all presidential functions, including inaugurations, state dinners and other official ceremonies. “Between 150 and 200 people will be auditioning for the ‘President’s Own’ job,” Garrett said in December. “In orchestral music, there’s only one tuba player. It’s probably easier to be an NFL quarterback.” 10
Garrett is just one of many TJC graduates trying to fulfill a passion for music; and as the band and music departments grow, directors, former students and faculty are looking at ways to keep the alumni base strong.
estate agent and disc jockey, graduated from Lindale high school in 1990 and attended TJC from 1990-1993.
Many college music majors go on to careers as professional musicians and music educators. For others, music might not have been their major, but being part of a collegiate music program served as a social and extra-curricular outlet.
“The Band Gold will be a great way to reconnect a lot of folks with other people who were part of a very special part of their lives,” Deason said. “That’s really the key behind this – to further the legacy that’s already been laid. I think we’ll have a good response to it.”
Some band members even go on to become meteorologists. Tylerite and former TJC percussionist Doc Deason is president of the TJC’s band alumni organization, Apache Band Gold. Deason, a Tyler meteorologist, real
He is seeking former Apache Band members who want to reconnect with TJC’s band legacy.
Deason said the organization is currently in its initial outreach phase and trying to make contact with former band members to create a database. He was a member of the Apache Band drumline.