John V. Kline

Secondary Music Education Field Supervisor

Having served as a band director in the Mesquite Independent School District for over 25 years, John Kline’s bands at North Mesquite High School received numerous honors: being named a finalist in the Parade of Champions Marching Contest seven years in a row, being a consistent UIL Sweepstakes winner, and being chosen as Grand Champion Band at the Opryland Music Festival. John has served as the Director of Fine Arts for the Mesquite ISD since 1995, overseeing all of the fine arts including secondary band, orchestra, choir, theatre, art, dance, and elementary art and music. John was also the founder and conductor of the Mesquite Community Band and has served as the conductor of the Town North Concert Band and the Lakeshore Symphonic Winds.

John is passionate about making quality musical sounds where the music tugs at the heart of performers and audience alike. “Great pitch, blend, balance, and rhythmic accuracy are very necessary and important”, John states, “but without careful attention to the musical phrase and without the passion behind the playing, the end product will be far from satisfying”. He credits three band directors as huge influences in his life. Ed George was his junior high band director and was also one of his professors at Abilene Christian. Tony Anderson was his high school band director at Abilene High School. It was Mr. Anderson who hired him to come to Mesquite in 1973 as his assistant at North Mesquite High School. Charles Trayler was John's college band director at Abilene Christian and has been a huge influence on his life, his craft, and his philosophy of music education. John feels very lucky to have had these great mentors in his life. “There is not a day that goes by that I don't use something that I learned from these men. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”

John lives in Mesquite with his wonderful wife Vicky. He has one son, John David, one daughter-in-law, Tara, and two beautiful grandchildren, Kaylie and Madelyn. John's hobbies include magic and photography. He is a Past President of the Dallas Magic Club and was named the Dallas Magician of the Year in 2005.

Educational Background

• Supervisor’s Certification, University of North Texas, 1996
• M.M., Music, East Texas State University(now East Texas A&M University), 1979
• B.M., Music Education, Abilene Christian University, 1973

Academic Positions

• Field Supervisor, Music, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University), 2012-Present

Award and Honors

• TMAC Music Administrator of the Year, 2006
• All State Symphonic Band Organizer, TMEA Convention, 1997
• Region III Band Chairman, 1988-1989
• State Board, TMEA, 1987-1988
• PTA, Honorary Lifetime Member, 1982

Professional Organizations

• Phi Beta Mu- Honorary BandMaster’s Fraternity, Inducted 1995
• Texas Art Education Association, 1996-2012

• National Art Education Association, 1996-2012
• Texas Educational Theatre Association, 1996-2012
• Texas Music Supervisors Association, 1996-2012
• Mesquite Arts Council, Board of Directors, 1996-2012
• Mesquite Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, 1996-2010
• Sound Engineer for “Envoy”, Christian Singing Group, 1994-2001
• Organizer and Host, Mesquite Marching Festival, 1993-2012
• Organizer and Host, Numerous Region and Area UIL Marching Contests, 1989-2012
• Founder ad Conductor, Mesquite Community Band, 1986-1989
• UIL Music Adjudicator and Clinician, 1983-Present
• Texas Bandmaster’s Association, 1973-Present
• Texas Music Educator’s Association, 1973-2012
• Mesquite Education Associate, 1973-2012