Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2012
20
Numerous other WT events have positively impacted
Panhandle and Texas bands. The WT Spring Clinic
has occurred for over 20 years, with invited bands
and conductors working with faculty and invited
guests on the WT campus. The clinic concludes with
a performance by each of the guest ensembles and
finally, the WT Band.
In my view the WT Band era
falls into two categories: WT Bands
with conductors through the tenure
of Dr. Ted Crager, and WT Bands
with conductors beginning with
Dr. Gary Garner and continuing
through today. There is no question
that the impact of Dr. Gary Garner
on Panhandle bands, Texas bands,
and the American band movement
as a whole is beyond significant.
Dr. Garner has been a master
educator, motivator, and mentor for
hundreds of successful bandmasters throughout Texas
and beyond. Many of his protégés have collectively
influenced the positive direction of the Texas band
movement, an influence which will be realized for
decades to come.
Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Hal l of Fame
It is apparent that Panhandle bandmasters were
among the “movers and shakers” of the early-day
band movement in Texas. In fact, when one considers
that the Panhandle represents about 1.6% of the state
population, it is amazing that it is also home to thirty-
three Texas Bandmaster Hall of Fame members! Wow!
Find them listed here. Not indicated were offices held
for TBA or TMEA by these Hall of Fame members.
The individuals listed are Bandmaster Hall of Fame
members who spent a portion, or all, of their teaching
career in the Panhandle.
Inducted
1975 Jack Mahan: Borger 1941. Co-founder of Phi Beta Mu.
1977 Robert (Chief) Davidson: McLean Municipal Band
and McLean High School Band 1927-1935.
1991 Bill Bradley: Memphis 1961-1964.
1991 Jo DiCosimo: Pampa 1955-1986.
1991 Robert Fielder: Phillips 1936-1941.
1991 J.W. King: Canyon 1970-1979.
1991 Ray Robbins: Clarendon 6 yrs;
Pampa 6 yrs; Phillips 21 yrs.
1991 Ralph G. Smith: Childress 1949-
1952; Dimmitt 1952-1983.
1991 Sam Watson: Wildorado 1949-
1950; Spearman 1951-1967; Phillips
1968-1973; Pampa 1973- 1986.
1991 Oscar Wise: Organized first
Amarillo High School Band 1922.
1992 D.W. (Dub) Crain Jr.: Sunray
1972-1973; Dumas 1973-1983.
1992 Gerald Smith: Dalhart 1950-
1951; McLean 1952-1955; Panhandle
1955-1985.
1992 J. Ralph Smith: Organized Hereford Community
Band 1902; Hereford 1921-1928; Plainview 1929-1930;
Hereford 1930-1945.
1993 Robert Gans: Borger 1965-1973.
1996 Ada Creel: Phillips 1948-1963. Founded “Music
Makers” stage band.
1996 Wayne Muller: Tascosa 1958-1962; Amarillo High
1963-1965.
1997 Clyde H. Rowe: Borger 1939-1940; Amarillo High
1943-1950.
1998 Bill Tregoe: Pampa 1953-1962.
2001 Lee Boyd Montgomery: Canyon 1962-1964.
2001 Don Baird: WTSU 1965-1979.
2001 Fred Stockdale: Pampa 1962-1966.
2001 Gary Zook: Canyon 1964-1979.
2002 Willis Giddens: Shamrock 1957-1963; Friona 1963-
1970.
2002 Ben Gollehon: Pampa Jr. High 1958-1960; Hereford
1960-1973.
2003 Dr. Gary Garner: WTSU (WTAMU) 1963-2002.
Director Emeritus.
Panhandle Band History: A Ref lect ion
Sam Watson