Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2012
17
Panhandle Band History : A Reflection
The Texas Panhandle. This is
a land of rich history, bountiful
resources, and the finest people
to be found anywhere. Palo Duro
Canyon is the signature feature of
the Panhandle region, plunging deep
into the otherwise rolling plains
and grassland. Many remember the
Panhandle as home to cattleman
Charles Goodnight, the Adobe
Walls Indian Battles, or the Wild
West town of Old Tascosa at the site
of present day Boys Ranch.
Upon entering the present era,
school life became paramount in
rural Panhandle communities.
School bands emerged as an
enduring source of pride for many,
if not most, of these communities.
These band programs have created
a historical record of their own.
The Texas Panhandle comprises
the top 26 counties in Texas,
some 25,600 square miles. That’s
10% of Texas’ land mass…over
twice as large as Rhode Island.
38 high school bands participated
in Region 1 UIL Contests during
school year 2011-2012, a reflection
of the relatively sparse population
density of the Panhandle area. Nine
of those were from the immediate
Amarillo area.
Marching Band
The Panhandle likely mirrors
most of the state regarding marching
band development. George “Red”
Bird, band director for Massillon
High School in Ohio, was the first
to use yard lines for a measured
step. The concept found its way
to the Panhandle.
6 to 5 became
the accepted gait
unless, of course,
the field only had
lines every ten
yards! Using the
yard lines made it
possible to have
straight
lines
moving across the
field. Not probable,
just possible!!
As contests
developed, bands
were faced with
required maneu-
vers. Inspection
scores were in-
cluded in the overall rating. “Band
Contest” during much of the early
period was all held on a single
day. That included Marching Band,
Concert Band, Sightreading…with
and without student conductors.
Now that’s a full day!!
A review of Panhandle and
Hereford videos from 1959 through
1969 is quite interesting. The 1959
Panhandle High School Band video
reveals an 8 to 5 marching style
we might expect. Field cover from
end zone to end zone, however,
is rather limited. Many of the
maneuvers remain quite compact
from side to side. By 1964, the
same band program was using
the same maneuvers to greater
effect by covering
much more field,
up to 40 yards
at once. Those
early Panhandle
Bands, directed
by the legendary
Gerald Smith,
demonstrate very
solid marching
and maneuvering
skills. Addi-
tionally,
they
play quite well.
One interesting
thing about both
the Panhandle
bands: once they
begin playing and
marching, they don’t stop until the
completion of the show!!
The 1965 Hereford High School
Band video is a solid display of
technique and overall playing skill
as the band follows the opening
fanfare with “Eagle Squadron” at
a pretty good clip. The marching
style is an extension of the earlier
traditional marching style seen in
the Panhandle videos. In addition
to the 8 to 5 step, Hereford sports
a flashy high knee lift. The 1969
Hereford video reveals a sideline
entrance and a Spanish show theme.
Cody Myers
School bands
emerged as an
enduring source of
pride for many, i f
not most , of these
communi t ies. These
band programs have
created a historical
record of their own.
The Panhandle
represents about
1 .6% of the state
populat ion . . . i t is
also home to 33
Texas Bandmaster
Hal l of Fame members!