Harmony in the Hills: Generosity Brings Music Back to Small District

On a beautiful spring day toward the end of the school year, Fort Davis ISD elementary students gathered in front of the historic Jeff Davis County Courthouse to serenade proud parents and friends gathered on the grassy lawn. A few days later, residents congregated at the high school auditorium to enjoy middle school students performing the district’s first-ever musical.

The music died nearly a decade ago because of budget woes in this small school district nestled in the beautiful Davis Mountains in Far West Texas. But it’s back now in a big way, thanks to the generosity of a local resident who donated $100,000 to revive the district’s music education program.

“It’s been wonderful,” Fort Davis ISD Superintendent Graydon Hicks said, adding that the music program is not only back, but also better than ever. The program was officially resurrected in the 2022-23 school year, and school leaders continued to build on it this past year.

At the district of 170 students, there also was an all-female drumline performing at the Fort Davis Indians’ six-man football games last fall, along with other musical activities for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s been awesome,” said Janlyn Reagan, a former district employee whose son performed in the courthouse concert. “Football games are a lot more fun.”

Although football halftimes were silent for a decade, Hicks and the school board never gave up hope that they would somehow bring the high school band and other music back to the district. They carefully stored the instruments, believing that students would one day pick them up again and make sorely missed joyful noises.

“The board has been asking to have the music program back ever since it was cut,” Hicks said. “I never gave up on it, but I had to have some help.”

Generous help came the way of Don Witte, a Fort Davis resident who passed away in 2022 at age 85. “He was a very good man,” Hicks said.

Inventor, Musician, Texan

Born in 1937 on a small farm in Henrietta, Texas, Witte moved with his family to Odessa, where he graduated from Odessa High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Colorado and joined the Peace Corps, spending two years performing humanitarian services in Nigeria.

Witte was a creator, an inventor. He built his own home and other structures, worked on bicycle technology, and patented construction toys for children.

He had a lifelong passion for music. Witte started playing the violin at age four, joined the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale [now the West Texas Symphony], and formed a chamber music ensemble with friends in Fort Davis.

Witte wanted the children of Fort Davis to have access to a music education. “Remembering the positive impact music had on his life, Don wished for all young people to have the opportunity to learn music,” according to his obituary.

After attending a couple of Fort Davis ISD school board meetings, Witte asked the superintendent in spring 2021 if he could meet with him privately. Sure, Hicks said.

When Witte came to Hicks’ office, he explained that he wanted to do something truly meaningful for the district. A music enthusiast all his life, he wanted the district’s students to again have access to a musical education. Then, Witte calmly told the superintendent he could help accomplish that by giving the district some money — a $50,000 donation.

Hicks was floored. “Say that again,” he told Witte. “When he explained what he wanted to do, I just couldn’t believe it. I thought, you’ve got to be kidding,” Hicks recalled.

Witte made another $50,000 donation, as well, and the district is expected to receive some additional funds once his estate is completely settled, Hicks said.

Building a Music Program

The instruments were joyfully brought out of storage and repaired. New ones were purchased. The district hired Mary Lynn McMichael as the music coordinator, and music education classes began. Her husband, Chuck McMichael, is a percussionist and works as an aide in the district.

“The music teacher and her husband are working to develop the program from the bottom up, but they take advantage of opportunities with the older students,” Hicks said. The couple organized the May concert on the steps of the courthouse, which involved elementary students in pre-K-fifth grade. Performing as a whole and in grade groupings, the newly minted musicians sang songs about the U.S. Constitution, grammar, multiplication tables, and other educational subjects. A few days later, middle school students performed the district’s first musical, a pioneer drama called Hillbilly Hayride by Tim Kelly.

District leaders and community residents are happy and grateful to have music back in students’ lives. Hicks was able to thank Witte one last time back in 2022, when he went to his bedside, telling him quietly, “I want you to know you have changed the lives of these kids.”

Witte’s eyes were closed, but Hicks said a tear rolled down his face. “I think he knew,” the superintendent said.

Witte passed away peacefully that night. But his love of music lives on in the Fort Davis Mountains in Far West Texas.

Photo: Fort Davis ISD’s elementary students performed a spring music program at the historic Jeff Davis County Courthouse for parents, friends, and other residents in this Far West Texas town. The district’s music program has been revived thanks to a generous donation from a local resident who passed away in 2022.