About the Band
The Greater Fort Worth Community Band is the result of a cooperative effort by longtime Birdville ISD employees and friends, Dee Tucker and Henry Schraub.
At the Texas Bandmaster's Convention in 2004, Dee approached Henry (his former fine arts director) about forming a local band with Henry as the conductor and Dee serving as President of the Board. That fall other board members were elected, the constitution & by-laws set and non-profit paperwork filed. By mid-January of 2005 the band was ready to start rehearsals. It was immediately obvious that something special was going to happen!
The band consists of approximately 60 musicians and draws from a myriad of professions such as banking, law enforcement, programming, nursing, medicine, engineering and teaching. With a number of active and retired band directors and private teachers also performing, the level of performance is outstanding!
Rehearsals & home concerts are held at Texas Wesleyan University's Nicholas Martin Performance Hall.
Music Director
Dr. Christine F. Beason has been a member of the band since 2010 and was appointed Director of the Greater Fort Worth Community Band in 2013.
Christine received her Bachelor of Music Education from Georgia State University and Master of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received his Doctor of Education degree from Texas Wesleyan University. She is a proud member and Past National Officer of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. She is also an honorary member of the National Chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and holds memberships in the Collegiate Band Director's National Association, Music Educator's National Conference, and Texas Music Educator's Association.
Dr. Beason has made guest appearances with numerous high school bands in Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Alabama, and Texas, and teaches private brass and conducting lessons. Christine currently resides in Grand Prairie, TX with her husband Chris, daughter Ella, and son Ryder.
Asscoiate Conductor
Dr. Schultz J. Bennett joined the Greater Fort Worth Community Band in 2021 and was named Associate Conductor of the band in 2022.
Dr. Bennett received his Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Education) and Master of Fine Arts (Multiple Wind Performance) degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. In 1994, he received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University.
Dr. Bennett retired after teaching 25 years in the Scottsdale (AZ) Public School District. Prior to teaching in Arizona, he taught at the collegiate level in Louisiana and secondary level in California. He has performed with numerous ensembles in Arizona as well as giving lecture recitals and Master Classes in Louisiana and Florida. For a short period, he was very active as a Winter Guard International (WGI) adjudicator in both California and Arizona.
Dr. Bennett holds memberships in the National Association for Music Educators, Arizona Music Educators Association, Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association, and the Texas Music Educators Association. He is a proud Life Member of the Gamma Phi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi located at Stephen F. Austin State University.
