Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2012
21
2003 Joe Mack Hill: Stratford 1958-1966; Dumas Jr. High
1966-1975.
2004 Harris Brinson: Pampa Jr. High 1964-1966; Pampa
High School 1966-1973; Phi Beta Mu International Past
President.
2005 Tom Neugent: White Deer 1966-1967.
2006 Phil Anthony: Clarendon 1964-1967.
2007 Don Hanna: Amarillo High 1992-1994.
2007 Dr. Charles Trayler: Sunray 1966; Dalhart 1983-
1995; Dumas 1996-2005.
2007 Clyde Wilson: Hereford 1962-1966; Tulia 1966-
1968.
2008 Randy Vaughn: Claude 1967-1968; Hereford Jr. High
1968-1970; Hereford High School 1970-1982.
Examination of the information contained in the
aforementioned list is quite interesting. Note that Chief
Davidson taught both the McLean Municipal Band
and the McLean High School Band simultaneously
beginning in the 1920’s. Such an arrangement was a
common practice during that era. Another notable
name is that of Clyde Rowe, who was the high school
band director of Dr. Gary Garner at Amarillo High
School and Roger Edwards at Kress High School.
Incidentally, Dr. Garner was a cheerleader for the
Amarillo Sandies!
There are also significant family ties within this
esteemed collection of names. J. Ralph Smith was the
long-time director in Hereford. His sons followed in
their father’s Hall of Fame footsteps. Ralph G. Smith,
known to many as Glenn, was a career director in
Dimmitt, just 22 miles down the road from Hereford.
Gerald Smith spent the majority of his career in
Panhandle, just east of Amarillo.
Robert Fielder and Sam Watson were directors
in Phillips. Stories still circulate about great bands
there under the direction of Mr. Watson. Interestingly,
Phillips was a “company town” for Phillips Petroleum.
Their petroleum-plant employees lived in their own
small homes on company property. The Phillips school
was quite wealthy. The arrangement was fine until
Phillips closed the plant and required all residents to
vacate company property! Folks moved away, taking
their small homes. All that remains is a vacant school
and a grid of home slabs.
The “elder statesmen” of the listed Hall of Fame
Members who remain in the Panhandle are Dr.
Charles Trayler of Dalhart and Dr. Gary Garner from
Amarillo. Between them they possess 94 years of band
experience in the Texas Panhandle, as both students
and directors. Both continue to mentor young and
not-so-young directors in the area, as well as conduct
countless band clinics.
Each of these bandmasters has left his mark of
success among Panhandle bands. Tales of their
methods, idiosyncrasies, and escapades could fill
volumes. One thing is sure, Panhandle bands are
richer for their having been here.
The Texas Panhandle. Home to a bountiful and rich
band history. The rich Panhandle past is certain to give
way to an equally rich future. Names like Oscar Wise,
J.W. King, Joe DiCosimo, Fred Pankratz, Bill Tregoe,
Charlie Trayler, and Roger Edwards pass the baton to
current bandmasters Bruce Collins, Mike Sheffield, Jeff
Witcher, Mike Ellis, John Zalman, and Don Lefevre,
to name only a few. To these, and others, we entrust
the musical future of children all across the Panhandle
through the wonderful world of band.
Panhandle Band History: A Ref lect ion
Cody Myers is the Director of Fine Arts in Amarillo ISD. He has 31 years experience in Panhandle band participation as a WT student
in the 1970s and with band directing stops in Tulia, Dimmitt, Dumas, and Amarillo ISD. Myers completed this article with input from
Dr. Charles Trayler of Dalhart, and Dr. Gary Garner of Amarillo. Cody served as TBA President is 2008.