Mighty Mustang Band History

(NOTE: This section barely scratches the surface of the Mighty Mustang Band History. It is a work in progress and needs much more information. If you have information about JJ Pearce during the first twenty years (1970-1990), please send it to webmaster@pearceband.org and we will incorporate it.)

The J.J. Pearce High School Band, also known as the Mighty Mustang Band (MMB), is recognized as one of the premier educational performing ensembles in the United States. Over the last ~forty years, the band has developed a reputation for mature performances of sophisticated wind literature. The band is known for the excellence of its individual performers and their commitment to artistic integrity. The curriculum at Pearce places an emphasis on individual musicianship. A dedicated, applied faculty provides enrichment and guidance for individual musicians. Performing opportunities in chamber ensembles and as soloists are an important part of the musical instruction. In the past fifteen years, more Pearce students have been selected to the Texas All-State ensembles than from any other high school. Additionally, more first chair players in the All-State ensembles have been from Pearce than from any other school. Students from the J.J. Pearce Band are highly recruited and have attended many of the most prestigious music schools in the country. Several are currently pursuing careers as professional musicians. Many of the students who do not major in music attend college on music scholarships.

The band has been very successful competitively. Both Symphonic Bands have won every major festival in Texas, and Symphonic I Band has twice been selected the Outstanding Wind Ensemble at the Texas State Wind Ensemble Competition in Austin. The band has also represented the Texas Music Educators Association as the Class 5A Honor Band at their convention in San Antonio. In 1986 and 2001, the band received the Sudler Flag of Honor from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, and in 2002 was the TMEA 4A All-State Honor Band. In the last fifteen years, the band has won every festival it attended outside of Texas.

The focus of the music curriculum at Pearce, however, is not competitive. The Pearce Band performs frequent concerts in many different venues. In 1997, 2000, and in 2003, all three Pearce concert bands performed in Carnegie Hall, and will be returning to Carnegie Hall in 2010. The band has twice been selected to perform at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. At the most recent Mid-West performance, the band accompanied trombonist Christian Lindberg in Gunther Schuller's Eine Kleine Posaunenmusic. The band also performs in concert annually at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, an ongoing engagement initially provided through an anonymous donation from the parents of band students. This annual concert has allowed the students to perform in an environment conducive to sensitive music making. It has also created many opportunities for musical experiences. In 1993, the Symphonic I Band premiered a new work for band and organ by David Gillingham. In 1997, the band participated in a consortium of high school and university bands to commission and premiere a new work for band by Frank Ticheli. In 1998, the band commissioned a work by Brad Bodine in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of J.J. Pearce High School. In addition, band members performed on an episode of "Barney and Friends" encouraging children to learn to play a musical instrument and join band.

For a history of Mighty Mustang Band Marching Performances back to 1976, click here.

For a history of Mighty Mustang Band Concert Performances back to 1977, click here.