New Director of Bands at TJC

TYLER � The assistant director of bands at Texas Christian University, Jeremy Strickland, has been selected as director of bands for Tyler Junior College. 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.

�I was blown away by the size of the campus and the friendliness I experienced whenI 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.