David Mallette, energetic advocate for Texarkana (Arkansas and Texas) and director of the Regional Music Heritage Center there, died On Saturday June 5, 2021, at this home. David was 71 years old.
After a long career in education and training in the fields of media production and software delivery, David turned to promoting his area’s musical history and its artists and composers in his retirement. He especially was interested in Scott Joplin, Conlon Nancarrow, and Florence Price. At his death he was active in trying to obtain funding for the Orr School building renovation where Joplin attended as well as a wide range of other ambitious Heritage Center Projects. His efforts in preserving Texarkana’s musical heritage were spotlighted in April 2018 and September 2019 “Blowing off the Dust” columns in The Syncopated Times.
