Haynie, John J., 1924-2014

John James Haynie was born on December 14, 1924 in Ralls, Texas, near Lubbock. He received a cornet as a gift at the age of nine and made rapid progress. By then, the family had relocated to Cisco, and Haynie took lessons with Cisco High School band directors G.C. Collum and Robert Maddox. Maddox was an especially influential teacher, and when Maddox relocated to Mexia, Texas, Haynie's parents allowed him to live with Maddox's family and attend Mexia high school to continue studying with him. Haynie briefly studied at Texas Tech University before and after his distinguished service in the military from May 1943 through November of 1945, which included participation in the Battle of the Bulge. He ultimately earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois, and in 1950 joined the music faculty at what is now the University of North Texas. At North Texas, Haynie made far-reaching contributions to trumpet instruction and study, authoring method books, bringing renowned performers like Maurice André to the campus, and pioneering physiological studies of the mechanics of trumpet playing. He received numerous awards for his impact on trumpet instruction and on the lives of his students, including UNT's 'Fessor Graham Award, and the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Illinois School of Music. John Haynie died in Denton on September 30, 2014.