Bowie Middle School Band Director Alta Striggles-Lee has come home.
Now in her 18th year veteran of music education, Striggles-Lee was most recently at Brownfield ISD where she was head band director for the middle school and assistant at the high school.
Striggles-Lee but she was grew up in Midland and was an assistant band director at Crockett Middle School in the 2014-15 school year. She’s returned to be closer to family.
Striggles-Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from West Texas A&M University in Canyon and a master’s degree in woodwind pedagogy and conducting from WT.
She took two years off to teach between her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Striggles-Lee said that time was very helpful because it allowed her to apply what she learned to her master’s degree experience.
“I started piano lessons when I was 5. My mom is an excellent singer. She was in choir in high school and she played the piano also. My whole family is musical. They were either involved in choir or in band or in theater arts, so we’re a fine arts family …,” Striggles-Lee said.
At this point, music education is in her blood.
“I don’t know what else I would do. I’ve been doing it so long,” she said.
Striggles-Lee added that she has taught mainly in West Texas.
“I don’t think I could go anywhere else because here you really work and you learn a lot of different things. For sure my experience teaching in the small school when you’re the only one and no resources, so you have to learn everything. You have to be pretty sharp and be on top of it,” she added.
Middle school is her favorite age level.
“I’ve taught all levels from pre-K to high school and this is my favorite. They’re still mold-able,” Striggles-Lee said.
She added that every teacher has their own special gifts and talents.
Bowie Principal Amy Russell said Straggles-Lee can play most any instrument.
Striggles-Lee said having a strong background in piano helps.
“If you can play piano, you can play anything because there are so many things going on, multitasking and so many different parts of your brain that you’re operating at the same time, so going from two hands to 10 fingers, 10 different notes in your feet to learning one instrument is easy. I just always wanted to learn all the woodwind …,” she added.
Bowie had summer band the week of July 31 with seventh- and eighth-grade returning students. Striggles-Lee is estimating she’ll have about 200 band students or a little bit more.
“We keep getting new kids that are moving in,” she said.
Striggles-Lee said the students have the full range of abilities.
“It’s the whole wide range of knowing zero to two years of experience,” she added.
She said she enjoys watching them learn and the light bulb moment when something clicks.
“… They have something they can be proud of; reaching their goals and building up their self-confidence,” Striggles-Lee said.
Even though this is her 18th year of teaching, every year she goes a little nervous because she doesn’t know what to expect. But this year there’s more of a sense of calm.
“My coworkers have been amazing from the choir directors, they’re awesome, the orchestra director … Everybody has been so helpful and that helps bring a sense of calm and peace,” Striggles-Lee said.
Their first performance is Oct. 13.
“That’s the junior high band night with the OHS (Odessa High School) band. That will be at Ratliff Stadium performing with the OHS marching band and the Crockett band,” she added.
Striggles-Lee said that shows the students what they can become and what they’re aiming for.
Jimena Wolfle, electives department chair and head choir director, said she is excited to have Striggles-Lee on board.
“… We are so happy. She is a great addition to the Bowie staff and just the music programs in general,” Wolfle said.
She added that she met Striggles-Lee at the end of last year when she judged Bowie’s solo and ensemble event.
“I think she’s coming with so many great ideas … We’ve had our calendar meetings and she has some great ideas that she wants to implement. I think these kiddos are going to have a great time and I think all of Bowie will benefit from her being here,” Wolfle said.
She and her husband Dawn Lee have a 2-year-old son.
“I’m just excited to be here and work here. I think we’re going to accomplish some amazing things this year, so I’m optimistic and hopeful. I’m ready to see the kids and get to know them and their families,” Striggles-Lee said.
