After 15 years of laughter, hardships, and learning, Head Band Director Thomas Turpin cut off the Alma Mater one last time, marking the end of his career with the Westwood Warrior Band. His time teaching students about music, hard work, and success culminated in that final moment, when he could stand proud of the program he helped grow.
Mr. Turpin’s musical journey began in a small home in Alabama, with a young Mr. Turpin watching his mother play Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata.
“My mom was a musician,” Mr. Turpin said. “So from the beginning, music was a big part of my life.”
His mother suggested that Mr. Turpin should play the violin when he was three, beginning his lifelong journey with music.
“When I was in fifth grade I started playing piano, and then sixth grade I started in band on [the] French horn, and then stayed in band through high school,” Mr. Turpin said.
As Mr. Turpin grew up, his passion for music followed suit. However, following music as a career didn’t come to him until his junior year in high school.
“I originally wanted to become a doctor, I was fascinated by the world of medicine,” Mr. Turpin said. “[But] after taking more medicine-related courses that my high school offered, I realized that [medicine] wasn’t for me, and I should follow my love for music.”
Mr. Turpin initially chose to follow music therapy, then shifted gears to pursue a music performance degree in college. When he returned home to visit, he became a technician for his former high school’s band program.
“I also taught [at] band camps around the area. Once I started teaching students, that’s when I kind of it all just clicked [that] I enjoy getting to teach music,” Mr. Turpin said. “I love working with students, doing something I’m passionate about, and seeing the light click for students as well.”
After graduating with a master’s degree in music education from the University of Alabama, Mr. Turpin began to teach at Stevens High School in San Antonio.
“[The staff] were just great music educators, they both had grown up in Texas, and they taught me a lot about leadership,” Mr. Turpin said. “They taught me how to structure my own teaching to fit into a system of music education that was way more complex and had a lot more moving pieces.”
With what he had learned from Stevens High School, Mr. Turpin began teaching as Associate Band Director at Westwood in 2009, under the direction of former Head Band Director Mr. Jack Green.
“Every day when I [came] into work, it wasn’t the same set of challenges that were presented,” Mr. Turpin said. “Every single day, there’s a new to-do list, there’s a new set of goals that you’re [going to] face. Every single day is a new adventure, it’s ever-changing.”
Mr. Turpin has taught all four ensembles in the band program, allowing him to see students’ growth as they progress throughout their high school careers.
“It’s a blessing that I got to teach all the ensembles [at Westwood] during my time here,” Mr. Turpin said. “It’s just been an incredible journey since I’ve been here, watching the program grow.”
Mr. Turpin has learned as much from his students as he has taught them. He constantly discovered new ways of teaching; and why he was doing this job in the first place.
“There’s a higher purpose to [teaching] in that I get to work with highly motivated and driven students,” Mr. Turpin said. “To see the look on the kids’ faces when they achieve that goal together, is the best feeling in the world. Knowing that when they find those commonalities together they [can] achieve those goals together changes their lives for the better.”
Working with several different directors and technicians, Mr. Turpin has expressed gratitude for having been able to work with people who share his passion for teaching and music.
An academically competitive environment like Westwood is bound to provide some challenges for directors. Students often feel like they can’t handle the stress of their intense coursework while also honing their musical skills in band.
“I’ve learned how our students cognitively process, which factors into how I’ve learned when I can push, and when I need to throttle back with our kids,” Mr. Turpin said. “There are certain times of the year that we’re going to be missing kids, but I think that there are also [other] ways that we have to challenge our students despite their academic pressures.”
Band students, current and former, view Mr. Turpin as one of the greatest mentors a person could have. While sad to see such a monumental figure leave Westwood, band students are happy that Mr. Turpin is able to begin a new journey.
“[Mr. Turpin] departing is bittersweet. I can’t really put it into words, someone who had such an impact on your life leaving. It’s an indescribable feeling.” Adaline Boyd ‘26 said. “However, he’s going to [be] able to take new steps in his career, and I’m really happy for him.”
Mr. Turpin hopes to stay in touch with the Warrior Band alumni, as well as current members of the program. He plans to still be involved by helping Mrs. Dacy transition into her role as Head Band Director, writing letters of recommendation for students, and teaching students at future clinics.
“Whatever I can do to continue to support Westwood, I will always do,” Mr. Turpin said. “If I can ever come back and help out, do clinics or things like that or come back, I’m always happy to do that.”
Looking back on all of the things he has accomplished during his time with the Westwood Warrior Band, Mr. Turpin hopes to cultivate a similar environment at Westlake High School, where he will be taking over as Head Band Director next year.
“It’s a little bittersweet when you spend 15 years doing anything,” Mr. Turpin said. “I think it allows you to have a wider perspective and evaluate how lucky you are to have made a positive impact in one place. Gratitude is something that I will certainly take with me as I go to Westlake and is something that I’ll try to build as a part of the culture for the students there.”
