Donnie Owens

By Carol Kimberland,
Office of Publication,
Waxahachie Band Boosters

The words “Band Director” and Donnie Owens are, for all intents and purposes, synonymous. Mr. Owens has spent the last forty-six years successfully developing public school band students into award-winning performers.

he journey began in 1960 when he received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he also served as Band President and Student Conductor. He earned his Masters in Music Education from North Texas State University in 1967 while playing trombone in the summer lab bands as well as concert bands and orchestras. School districts benefiting from his experience and knowledge include Antlers, Oklahoma; Junction City, Kansas; Durant, Oklahoma, and the Texas schools located in Dickinson, Arlington, Pearland, Fort Bend, Texas City, and most recently, Waxahachie.

During Mr. Owens’ tenure at Junction City, the High School Band was invited to perform for the 1966 Kansas Music Educators’ Convention, and under his direction, the Durant High School Band received the coveted invitation to perform for the Oklahoma Music Educator’s Convention while featuring alto saxophonist, Don Sinta. The Durant Band also performed for the 1972 Midwest National Band and Orchestra Clinic.

Visitors to the Dickinson High School Band Hall are greeted by awards, plaques and trophies earned by the Band with Donnie Owens as Director. His efforts over twenty years produced impressive results with the Dickinson Band earning TMEA Honor Band and the UIL State Marching Contest five times. The concert bands were also decorated with over forty “Outstanding of Contest” awards throughout his career.

The past six years have found Mr. Owens serving as the catalyst for the Waxahachie Band Program by forming the foundation of the youngest band members. The Turner Middle School Bands have earned Grand Champion and Outstanding of Contest eight times and have established a rich tradition of returning from contests with Division One and Division One Triple Plus Ratings. The WISD recognized his efforts by naming Mr. Owens the Turner Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2007. His wife, Margie, works with him as they take students from beginning stages to award-winners.

Mr. Owens has served as both adjudicator and clinician on numerous occasions in locations throughout the Midwestern states. He has also been named Region Band Conductor several times. District, Region and State office positions are included in his resume as well as various state committee memberships.

Mr. and Mrs. Owens have three children, all Dickinson High School graduates. Their daughter, Julie, was a two-year All State Flutist, while their son Stephen earned a place in the All State Band for three years as a trombonist. The saxophonist in the family, son David, was All-State Band member for two years as well as a member of McDonald’s All-American Marching Band and Jazz Band.

Donnie Owens is a contributing member of The Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, the Oklahoma Bandmasters Hall of Fame and Phi Beta Mu.