A Special Award of
The John Philip Sousa Foundation
Jason Tucker is the Associate Director of Bands at Mattei Middle School in Princeton, Texas. For 24 years before taking this position, he was the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Head at Rice MS in the Plano ISD.
Jason has received numerous awards, including the 2012 ASBDA Texas Chapter “Outstanding Texas Band Program” Award, the 2014 John Philip Sousa Foundation “Sudler Silver Cup”, 2018 “Mirabeau B. Lamar Award for Excellence in Education” from the Plano Masonic Lodge, and was a 2019 Music & Arts “Outstanding Music Educator” National Semifinalist. He also serves as Middle School Band Chair for TMEA Region 25, Texas Bandmasters Association Region Representative, andTMEA Areas B and C Mentor Coordinator.
The ensembles that Mr. Tucker has conducted have also received many accolades including numerous Invitational “Best in Class” and Best in Contest” awards, National Windband Honors National Winner in 2007 and 2008, TMEA Honor Full Orchestra State Finalist seven times, TMEA Honor Band State Finalist five times, and the 2022 UIL/Plano ISD Concert and Sightreading Sweepstakes Awards (First Division in Both Events).
- The Bandworld Legion of Honor was established in 1989 to honor, over the course of a year, eight of the finest band directors in our business.
- Recipients have taught for at least fifteen years, have maintained a very high-quality concert band program, and have contributed significantly to the profession through dedication to bands and band music.
- Each is honored at the annual Sousa Foundation awards ceremony during the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.
- Chairman of the Legion of Honor Committee is Terry Austin, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Jason received his Bachelor of Music Education from New Mexico State University and his Master of Education degree from the University of North Texas.
When asked what factors do you consider most important in shaping your career, Jason states, “The single greatest factor that has shaped my career has been the students in front of me every day. I take very seriously the responsibility of being the best educator possible for them, and this motivates me to pursue growth in skills in which to best help my students. I have also been fortunate to know and to seek out many great teachers, particularly my father, from whom I have been able to learn much about teaching, leadership, and character.”
His professional philosophy statement is, “Music is an essential part of our humanity, and every student should be provided with robust opportunities to develop and explore music as a discipline and an art. I believe music improves how we interact with the world around us and helps us better connect to ourselves. Music is therefore the means through which I strive to help students learn the intangibles of beauty while pursuing excellence. Everyone should experience excellence at least once in their lives.”
