If You Denton Know David Pierce, now you do.
In this episode, we sit down with David Pierce, composer, educator, and the creative force behind Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival. David shares his journey from growing up in South Texas to becoming one of the key figures shaping Denton’s music and cultural scene. We talk about creativity, community, risk-taking, and how one Halloween show evolved into one of Denton’s most beloved annual traditions.
Episode Highlights
- Growing up in Corpus Christi and being immersed in Mexican and Tex-Mex culture
- Discovering music early, from piano to trombone, and finding jazz as a teenager
- Coming to Denton in 1994 to attend University of North Texas and falling in love with the city
- Teaching band and building an award-winning jazz program in Southlake Carroll ISD
- Making the leap from teaching to full-time composing and arranging
- Creating Cirque du Horror and why it became a turning point creatively
- How a grassroots block party grew into Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival
- The origins of the coffin races and why they put the festival on the map
- What goes into running a 30,000 to 40,000 person community festival
- Partnering with local businesses, artists, and breweries to keep the festival truly Denton
- Giving back through donations to Serve Denton, Cumberland Youth and Family Services, and other local charities
Behind the Festival
David walks through the behind-the-scenes reality of planning a major outdoor festival. From grant writing and fundraising to weather risks and year-round preparation, he shares why the emotional investment is worth it when he sees the joy the festival brings to the community. What started as a $5,500 event has grown into a six-figure production that continues to give back more each year.
Upcoming Event
Cirque du Horror Presents: A Moonlit Monster Ball
- Saturday, February 21, 2026
- 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Patterson Appleton Arts Center
- A gothic Valentine’s season fundraiser benefiting Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival
- Featuring haunting cocktails, a chef-curated dinner, a raffle, dancing, and a special performance by Cirque du Horror’s Orchestra of the Undead
- Suggested attire: elegant, spooky, monstrous Halloween gala vibes
🎟️ Tickets and info available at: DentonDayOfTheDeadFestival.com
