Thank you to our sponsors!

Directors

Mr. Jackie Digby

 

 

Jackie Digby is the Director of Bands at Plano West Senior High School and serves as the cluster leader for the West Cluster Band Program.

 

Prior to coming to Plano West, Mr. Digby served for 15 years as the Director of Bands at Jasper High School in Plano ISD. Previously, Mr. Digby taught at Rice Middle School in Plano and Bryant High School in Bryant, Arkansas. His bands have consistently earned UIL Sweepstakes and have been named most outstanding ensemble at numerous festivals, including being named a multi-year winner in the National Wind Band Honors competition. The Jasper High School Full Orchestra, co-directed by Mr. Digby, was named the 2014 TMEA 6A Honor Full Orchestra. The first and only non-varsity group to achieve this honor.

 

Mr. Digby is a lifetime member of the Texas PTA and was honored to be named the 2016 Jasper High School Teacher of the Year.

 

Mr. Digby earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He is a multi-year honoree of Who's Who Among America's Teachers. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity. He resides in Frisco and enjoys spending time with his wife Maleece and son Jaxon. 

 

Mr. Preston Pierce

 

 

Preston Pierce is an Associate Band Director at Plano West Senior High School. His duties include directing the Wind Symphony, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Band, Jazz Small Groups, assisting with the Marching Band, and coordinating the jazz program for the Plano West Cluster. He is a past President and Board Member of the Texas Jazz Educators Association (TJEA). Additionally, he is a Consultant/Clinician for Jazz at Lincoln Center. 

 

The Plano West Jazz Orchestra is a six-time finalist in Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival in New York City.  Since 2020, the Plano West Jazz program has won a combined 29 DownBeat Student Music Awards in the annual competitions. In 2022 & 2018 the Jazz Orchestra was selected to perform at the Jazz Education Network Conference (JEN). The Plano West Jazz Orchestra was also selected as the 2016 TMEA Invited High School Jazz Ensemble. While teaching in Plano, his students have earned spots in NYO JazzThe Next Generation Jazz OrchestraVail Jazz Workshop, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Summer Jazz Academy (SJA), named National YoungArts winners in jazz, Music for All-Jazz Band of America, selected to tour in the NEA/Herbie Hancock Institute All-Star Peer-to-Peer Jazz Sextet, and have consistently earned spots in the TMEA All-State Jazz Ensembles. In 2017, the Plano West Jazz program was selected by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz (formerly known as the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz) to take part in a new initiative that supports the jazz program by providing educational materials, clinicians, guest artists, and performance opportunities.

 

Mr. Pierce previously served as Associate Band Director at Shepton High School in Plano, Texas. Prior to teaching in the Plano ISD, Mr. Pierce was an Associate Band Director in the Aubrey ISD. While in Aubrey, the High School’s Symphonic Band was named the 2010 2A TMEA Honor Band. In the same year, they were finalists in the Texas UIL State Marching Band Competition.

 

During his free time, Mr. Pierce enjoys spending time with his wife, Melissa (Art Teacher at Shepton HS), and their two daughters, Madeline and Norah. He also enjoys watching sports, listening to live music, and saltwater fishing.

 

Mr. Justin Myers

 

Originally from Pampa, Texas, Justin Myers is an Associate Band Director at Plano West Senior High School in Plano, Texas. His duties include conducting Symphonic Band, assisting with the Marching Band, and coordinating all aspects of percussion for the Plano West Cluster.

 

Prior to teaching in Plano ISD, Mr. Myers most recently served as Associate Band Director at Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland, Texas. He has also served as Associate Band Director in Arlington ISD at James Bowie High School. While in Arlington and Garland, his drumlines regularly received caption awards.  His groups have also been very successful in the NTCA indoor percussion circuit.

 

Mr. Myers attended West Texas A&M University where he received his bachelor degree in music education.  He continued directly into his graduate studies at WTAMU and received his Master degree in percussion performance, graduating with honors.  While at West Texas, he had the opportunity of performing at the College National Band Directors Conference, as well as the Texas Music Educators Association Convention.

 

Prior to moving to the North Texas area, Mr. Myers has been fortunate to play with the Amarillo Symphony as a percussionist and pianist.  He was a member of the Madison Scout Drum and Bugle Corps from 2005-2006 as a member of the front ensemble. Mr. Myers’ professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Percussive Arts Society.  Mr. Myers professional/educator endorsements include Pro Mark drum sticks, Sabian cymbals, and Remo drum heads.

 

During his free time, Mr. Myers enjoys spending time with his wife, Xiaoyan Wang and his daughter, Victoria. He also enjoys playing basketball, ping pong, and travelling with his family.