Marion West has taught in the Richardson ISD for the past twenty-six years.  In 1991, Ms. West was appointed Director of Bands at Lake Highlands High School.  Prior to that, she was Director of Bands at Richardson North Junior High School where the band received numerous awards including, “Texas State Honor Band” on two occasions, The Sudler Cup, an award given by the John Philip Sousa Foundation of national merit and standing, continuous “Sweepstakes” awards, and “Best In Class” at the Six Flags Invitational on several occasions.  The band performed several times at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

Under Ms. West’s direction, The Lake Highlands Symphonic I Band has received the “National Grand Champion” of Musicfest Orlando, “Outstanding in Festival” at the American Classic Music Festival, “Best In Class” at the Southcoast Festival, and continuous “Sweepstakes” awards.  The Symphonic I Band was also recognized as Third Runner-up in the Texas State Honor Band process in 1995, and was a semi-finalist again in 2000.  In addition, the band had the distinction of performing in concert with the University of Houston Wind Ensemble under the direction of Eddie Green in the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in 1996.  Most recently, the Symphonic I Band performed at the 2001 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.  This honor was accompanied by a nomination for “The Sudler Flag of Honor,” an award of national merit for outstanding high school bands in the USA.   

The Lake Highlands Wildcat Marching Band has received “Grand Champion” and “Best In Class” at the Desoto Invitational Classic and participated in the Texas State Marching Contest in 1998 and 2000.  On April 23, 2003, Gladys Wright presented “The Sudler Flag of Honor” to the Lake Highlands High School Bands.  Ms. West is the first woman to receive the Sudler Flag and the first band director to receive both the Cup and the Flag.

Marion West received a BME and MME from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma, followed by graduate work at Oklahoma University.  In 1983 Ms. West was awarded an Honorary Life Membership of PTA.  She received the Texas Music Educators Association Leadership and Achievement Award in 1986 and again in 1990.  In 1991, she was presented “The Scroll of Excellence” from Women Band Directors International and in 2003, she received the Texas Bandmasters Association Meritorious Achievement Award.   

Ms. West has served as Chairperson of the Texas UIL Music Selection Committee and has presented seminars for many school districts, universities, Arkansas Bandmasters Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Educators Association.  She is an active adjudicator in Texas and has served as a clinician in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

TravisTigerBand.com This Page Last Revised: 08/10/08.