KEYNOTE AWARD 2024 – Dr. Gary Garner

Dr. Gary Garner retired in 2002 after 39 years as Director of Bands at West Texas State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech and a master of music and DMA from the University of Southern California. He began his teaching career in Lubbock at Hutchinson Jr. High School and at Monterey High School.

From there he went to the University of Southern California as marching band director for four years before accepting a position at WTAMU. During his tenure at WTAMU, the Symphonic Band performed twice at Carnegie Hall, twice before the College Band Directors National Association, and a record ten times at the Texas Music Educators Association convention.

Among the awards and honors he has received are the WTAMU Faculty Excellence Award, the WTAMU Phoenix Club award for teaching excellence, the Minnie Piper Stevens Award, Texas Bandmaster of the Year, Bohumil Makovsky Award for outstanding service to college bands, Gene Hemmle Award as outstanding music alumnus from Texas Tech, Phi Beta Mu national bandmaster of the year, and Honorary Lifetime Member of TBA.