Sparky Koerner

Submitted by jd0307 on Fri, 06/25/2021 - 11:00am
Graduation Year: 
1976

Photo of Sparky Koerner holding trumpetSparky Koerner (M.M.Ed), Texas City, is retiring after 40 years of working at the College of the Mainland in Texas City. He has served as chairman of the Fine Arts Department for the past 20 years. He has taught music theory, and directed the College of Music Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo and Concert Band. His Jazz Ensemble performed at the 2010 and 2014 Jazz Education Network Conference. His group has performed with many guest artist alumni from UNT including: Tom "Bones" Malone, Marvin Stamm, Dr. Robert Morgan, Dr. Bill Lee, Jack Peterson, Rich Matteson, Mike Steinel, Ron Wilkins, Aric Schneller and others including Chris Vadala, Bobby Watson, Kathy Kosins, Chase Sanborn and more. Sparky will continue to live in the Texas City area and perform with the various musical groups he has been involved with for years, including Sparky's Jazz Express, Jazz Sunday, Trio du Jour, Galveston Symphony Orchestra and more.

“I thank North Texas for the fine training I received and believe it has contributed to my success as a musician and educator,” he says. “My favorite campus memories revolve around working in the Lab Band Office with Leon Breeden as a graduate student. Studying music with Rich Matteson and Jack Peterson and Dan Haerle is something I will never forget. Taking trumpet lessons with Leonard Candelaria helped me to develop into the trumpet player I am today. Getting the opportunity to direct a Lab Band and work with all the fine musicians attending school helped me grow musically.”