Education

• Degrees
  • DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts), University of North Texas
  • M.M., University of North Texas
  • B.A., University of Arkansas Monticello

Biography

Dr. Tyrone J. Block is a native of Dumas, Arkansas, who began his study of the trombone at an early age. His distinguished career has been marked by numerous accolades, including the Northeast Arkansas Young Artist Concerto Competition, recognition through the Walt Disney All-American Marching Band and Duke Ellington Jazz Band programs, and the honor of being named Brass Player of the Year at the University of Arkansas–Monticello for two consecutive years.

Dr. Block’s formal musical training began at Dumas High School, where he earned selection to the Arkansas All-State Band for three years and was appointed to the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School. He subsequently earned the Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from the University of Arkansas–Monticello. Following his undergraduate studies, Dr. Block attended the Armed Forces School of Music, graduating first in his class. During his military service, he performed with the United States Navy Show Band, touring three continents and numerous countries throughout the world.

Dr. Block earned the Master of Music in Performance from the University of North Texas, with a related field in ethnomusicology. During this period, he contributed to several volumes of the widely respected G.I.A. Teaching Music Through Performance in Band recording series, produced under the direction of Eugene Corporon. He subsequently completed the Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of North Texas. Concurrent with his doctoral studies, he attended the Army School of Music, where he was selected as Honor Graduate and received the Distinguished Leadership Award.

Dr. Block has served as a clinician and summer faculty member at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan, and has held teaching positions in Fort Worth ISD, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. His broad performance experience encompasses a wide range of ensembles, including the Southeast Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Chamber Orchestra, Fort Worth Civic Orchestra, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Mesquite Jazz Repertoire Ensemble, Metro Praise Jazz Orchestra, Joshua Experience Big Band, South Arkansas Brass Ensemble, Joint Armed Forces Wind Symphony, and the North Texas Wind Symphony.

He is a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and currently performs with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Monsters, and DFW Brass. He has appeared as featured soloist with the University of North Texas Wind Ensemble, the 106th Arkansas National Guard Jazz Band, and the Navy Atlantic Fleet Show Band.

Dr. Block is an active member of TPSMEA, where he serves as Vice President of Jazz Ensembles, as well as TJEA, ITA, and NAfME. He has been inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Sigma Lambda, SALUTE, and the Golden Key International Honour Society, and has been recognized in Who’s Who Among the World’s Professionals and Executives.