Rodney Klett

Rodney A. Klett is in his third year of retirement after thirty-nine years as a Texas band director/music coordinator.

Mr. Klett was born in Fredericksburg where he was in the school band under the direction of Tom C. Rhodes. Mr. Klett earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas A&M University- Kingsville in 1965, where he studied with Dr. Joseph Bellamah. In 1976, he finished a Master of Music education degree from Texas State University, where he studied with James Sudduth.

After graduating from TAMU- Kingsville, he taught in Comfort, Texas for one year. In the summer of 1966, Mary Ann and Rodney were married and then moved to Georgetown where he remained until retirement—except for his years of military duty. In the fall of 1968, Mr. Klett was called to active duty and served three years with an Army Reserve unit in San Antonio and three years with the Texas National Guard Band in Austin.

Under Mr. Klett's direction, the Comfort and Georgetown bands compiled 37 Sweepstakes awards. The Georgetown band won the UIL State Marching contest six times, UIL State Wind Ensemble Contest eight times, Texas State Solo and Ensemble Sweepstakes award six times, placed in the top seven in the TMEA Honor Band competition six times and was selected the State AAAA Honor Band three times. In 1983, the band was honored by receiving the first Governor's Cup at the State Marching Contest and the prestigious Sudler Flag of Honor, an international award recognizing high school bands for outstanding musical excellence.

Over the years, the Georgetown band was named outstanding band at numerous national music festivals through Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida and Colorado. In 1984, the band was invited to the National Band Association's convention in Knoxville, Tennessee for marching and concert performances. It was the first band ever asked to perform both.

All of Mr. Klett's Honor Band performances were special, but the 1992 performance will always be unforgettable because his daughter Melody, a senior that year, was a member of that band.

Mr. Klett is indebted to the many individuals who gave their time and dedication to the Georgetown music program. The years of success are due to the love and support of his wife Mary Ann, his daughter Melody Ann, the outstanding school administrators (especially Superintendent Jack Frost), the Georgetown community, band parents, band students and associate directors. Mr. Klett would like to recognize in particular Reynaldo Meza, Jr. According to Mr. Klett, the two men "most definitely complemented each other in developing the Georgetown band program." Others who were instrumental include Richard Sullivan (Perry MS Carrollton- Farmers Branch) and Dr. Michael Schaff (Associated Professor of Music Education at the Crane School of Music).

Rodney Klett's personal achievements include being a five- time recipient of the National Band Association's "Citation of Excellence", the Denius-UIL Sponsor Excellence Award in 1993 and the TBA Lifetime Meritorious Achievement Award in 2000. In 1986 the city of Georgetown named May 26-June 1 "Rodney A. Klett Week" and in 2003, the Georgetown ISD named the new 1200-seat performing arts center at Georgetown High School in honor of him and his wife Mary Ann.

On September 12, 2006 Mr. Klett received a phone call telling him that he had been selected as a "Distinguished Alumnus" of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Later that afternoon, a letter arrived informing him that he was chosen as the TBA Bandmaster of the Year for 2007. As you can imagine, September 12 will always be a special day in Mr. Klett's life!

Mr. Klett's professional memberships include TBA, TMEA, NBA, Phi Beta Mu, Texas Music Adjudicators Association (charter member) and a Life Member of Texas State Teachers Association. He has served on the board of directors and as president of Phi Beta Mu, Alpha Chapter; on numerous UIL state committees; and as TMEA Region Band Chairman for Region XVIII.

Now living in McKinney, Mr. Klett continues to work with band programs in the surrounding area three or four days a week as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor.

Mr. Klett loves to be with his grandchildren, play golf, fish and simply enjoy life. He and Mary Ann will celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary during the 2007 TBA Convention/ Clinic. Their daughter Melody is a full-time stay-at-home mother to Madeline and twin boys Reid and Shane. Her husband Matthew Robinson is a civil engineer for Greater Texas Land Resources in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Mr. Klett has never missed a TBA Convention/Clinic. When he was informed that he had been selected Bandmaster of the Year, he could not help but think back to 1965—his first TBA Convention/Clinic held at the Gunter Hotel. Forty-two years later, there have been many changes, but the award still remains the highest and most prestigious professional honor a Texas band director can be awarded.

There are not enough words to express Mr. Klett's true feelings of gratitude and humility for such a tremendous honor.

Thank you TBA board.