This is a work in progress. Will try to have a more complete picture eventually. My grandchildren
can come here and learn more about family - and they will say "Now I know what the old man was
doing at the computer every time we visited.
Joseph Warren Pinson, Jr., aka Mister Joe, was born in Clarksville, Texas, on October 6,
1937. He is the only child of Joseph Warren Pinson and Ida Mae Pinson.
My father was a newspaper editor. I don't know whether it was a profession that he chose, or
whether it was just one that was available to him. He did not have the opportunity to go to college,
but he was well-read and essentially self-educated. He lost his left arm at an early age - the result of
blood poisoning for which the only remedy was amputation. It never occurred to me that he was
"disabled", because there was nothing he could not do. He drove a car (with stick shift), played golf
(and did pretty well among his two-armed competitors), tied his shoes (before slip-ons and velcro),
tied his neckties, and mowed the lawn (with a push-mower) until I was old enough to take over that
responsibility. He taught himself to type (on a mechanical typewriter) and was featured in "Ripleys
Believe It or Not" for his ability to type 60 words per minute with only one hand. The only thing he
could not do was to button the cuff on the right sleve of his shirt - because he could not reach it.
Before I was born, my mother was a school teacher. I thought for many years that she retired to
be a stay-at-home mom, but, as with my dad, I'm not sure that she had a choice. In those days the
educational establishment frowned upon women teachers who were not single. She had what
would not be called an "associate" degree from the Texas Normal College in Denton (now the
University of North Texas). She was a wonderful, loving mother who kept silent about many things
she would liked to have had, as she supported my father's dream to save enough to send me to
college. She had beautiful handwriting and taught me to write in cursive before I began the first
grade. She had a passion for letter writing - keeping in regular touch with family and friends. Her
letters sustained me through many failures that I encountered as a young man.
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Joseph Pinson, MA, MT-BC
holds degrees in music from Southern Methodist University & the American University
member of the music faculty at Texas Woman's University since 1997
director of music, Denton State School (1974-1997)
board certified music therapist & all level certification in music education
over 100 compositions published and recorded
has received the standard award from ASCAP annually since 2000
co-author (with D. Michel) Music Therapy in Principle & Practice (Charles C. Thomas)
author – Let Everyone Ring (Schulmerich)
author – Focus On Participation (AGEHR)
founding director – Denton Bell Band (adults with developmental disabilities)
director – Denton Senior Center Chime Choir
director – Redbud Ringers (university handbell ensemble)
Most recent performances:
- 2006: incidental music for Eleemosynary, performed by TWU Drama Department
- 2006: Mathematical Zoo, performed by Woodrow Wilson All Star Choir (Denton)
- 2006: original songs for production of West of the Pecos by TWU Drama Department
- 2006: Bone City for trombone quartet performed at TWU Music of America Concert
- 2005: Opus Bonus (trombone solo) performed by Phil Bleinberger at UNT Recital Hall
- 2005: Opus Bonus & Denver Dance (for theremin) performed at Dallas Public Library
- 2005: Opus Bonus & Denver Dance performed at TWU Composers Showcase
- 2005: Symetritonix #1 (for wind ensemble) performed at Texas Woman's University
- 2004: performing three original songs for Arts in Our Backyard Concert (Denton)
- 2004: performing six original songs with Alexandria's Ragtime Band, TWU
- 2003: High Five (violin) & Rondo Bello (handbells) TWU Composers Symposium
All you ever need to know about Mister Joe