John H. Pearson

My experience with music began when I was quite young. My mother said I would listen to the radio and sing along with the performers learning the words to countless songs. In the 5th grade, I decided to play the cornet after our high school band director talked to us about playing in the band. I guess from then on he sealed my fate, playing my horn and singing my way through school and upon graduating joined the Army Air Force. I continued my music in the service for 7 years and was stationed overseas, in Washington D.C. and the Air Force Band of the West at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. I was a member of the concert and marching bands, the Singing Airmen, the Tune Pilots Jazz Ensemble and the Symphony in Blue.

After being discharged, I attended St. Mary's University on a scholarship and learned how to be a teacher and band director from a great mentor, Professor Frank Sturchio. Upon graduation, I was appointed band director at Douglas MacArthur H.S. in San Antonio. I served as head band director at MAC for 16 years during which time our bands received consistent U.I.L. sweep-stakes ratings and was a runner-up in the TMEA Honor Band Competition. The MacArthur Jazz Ensemble gained national recognition by winning "The All American High School Jazz Festival Invitational" finals in Mobile, Alabama. This group was also a perennial winner of the "Brownwood Jazz Festival" (founded by Jimmie King) as the first original and largest high school jazz festival in the U.S. where the adjudicators were nationally famous jazz musicians and educators. These were wonderful years at MAC where I was blessed with great students (several are now prominent professional musicians and one won a Grammy in 2003) and parents and an outstanding faculty and administration.

I had received my masters degree from UT Austin and my administrators certificate later from SWTSU (which is now Texas State U) when I was offered the position of Coordinator of Music for the Austin ISD. At first I decided against the offer but after a few days of considerable thought reconsidered and tentatively accepted. The many possibilities and challenges presented in a large school system such as the capitol city of Austin, Texas were intriguing. Before officially accepting the position however, I met with Dr. Jack Davidson the superintendent. In the meeting I asked him "How good a music program do you want?" and he replied,"The best you can give us." I immediately told him the only way that would be possible was if I had the major input in recruiting and hiring the staff. He agreed and a new chapter began in the Pearson family's lives. The second year after taking the position, the Austin School District was ordered to desegregate and the challenge was really on. With the help of a dedicated and talented staff we were able to forge ahead and build a program that the community and music students were extremely proud of.

We initiated The All City Jr. and Sr. H.S. Bands, (High School performed for the Southern Governors Conference) Choirs, Orchestras, and the All City H.S.Jazz Ensemble which I directed for 15 years. We developed the All City Festivals bringing in conductors and performers with nationally recognized reputations which contributed immensely to the improvement of each individual school music group. Also developing along with this desire to excel, the AISD sent 50 plus students to TMEA All State bands, orchestras, and choir for a period of several years running. The reason for this was our outstanding students and a tremendous faculty from elementary through high school.

I had the opportunity to direct the Longhorn Band Jazz Ensemble for a year thanks to directors Glenn Richter and Paula Crider, and I want to also thank my boss at AISD for allowing me the time off to do so. It was a kick! Also over the years we were able to weld a very cooperative relationship with UT's Music and Athletic departments. The Longhorn Band was a big part every year of our AISD Marching Band and Drill Team Jamboree (which just celebrated its 35th year) which began with the enthusiastic support of Vince DiNino, who convinced the UT Athletic Department to allow the Jamboree the use of Royal Memorial Stadium.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve my profession and colleagues in various capacities: Past President of the National Association of Jazz Educators, Texas Unit, Southwest Coordinator of NAJE for 10 years, Past President Texas Music Administrators Conference, Texas Music Adjudicators Association Committee on Standards of Adjudication and Performance Practices, UIL Region XII Chairman,Co-authored TEA Stage Band Guide, Facilitator of the AISD Middle School Research and Implementation Committee, Past President Austin Area Retired Teachers Association and the Texas Retired Teachers Association Benefits Committee. I have served as an adjudicator of UIL Region Band and Orchestra Concert Contests, UIL Region and Area Marching Contests, Music Festivals both concert and jazz in Texas and Oklahoma. I have also served as a Jazz clinician in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and as clinician for the Oklahoma OMEA All State Jazz Ensemble.

My professional affiliations are: Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Retired Teachers Association, Austin Retired Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa, Honorary Life Member UT Longhorn Band, U.S. Air Force Musicians Association, Inducted into Phi Beta Mu in 1970 and The Phi Beta Mu Hall Of Fame in 2003.

John and Blanche Pearson

My wife Blanche (an accomplished keyboardist and vocalist) and I had our own professional music groups for over 35 years one of which was "The Professors of Dixieland". Members were all AISD faculty. This group performed for two Texas governors on several occasions, Austin's mayor, The Austin City Council several times and several legislative bodies. I also directed the 18 piece jazz ensemble " Swingtime" after retirement from AISD for 6 years. As a duo, Blanche and I now volunteer at nursing homes and Senior Citizen Centers, providing musical entertainment for residents and members.

I am very fortunate to have a wonderful, talented wife and family of 6 children, 15 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren most of whom are frequent visitors to NeNe and Papa's house where her culinary and baking skills are always in demand. As my colleagues before and present will strongly attest, our calling was music and teaching. We have had the honor and opportunity to serve the finest and (usually) the brightest young people of Texas in the profession we truly love - MUSIC!