Page 8 - Bandmasters Review - 2017 June

The Beginnings of TBA

Recollections by Alfred Sturchio, TBA Past President-1986 and TBA Executive Director 1986-2008

During the years of 1920 to 1947, there were meetings of February 14, 1948, it was agreed by the directors
of Texas bandmasters during the TMEA conventions. These present to establish the Texas Bandmasters Association,
get-togethers were not formally organized. From time independent of the Texas Music Educators Association. Pat
to time, there were discussions of why band directors of Arsers was elected President, Ken Vaughn Vice President
Texas needed their own association to offer better marching and Dick Young Secretary-Treasurer. The goal for the new
band instruction as well as showcasing new music for the association was to provide a clinic for bandmasters that
concert band. would focus on the newest marching band techniques as
At the TMEA Convention of February 12-14, 1948 well as provide the opportunity to hear the latest concert
more progress was made in establishing an independent band music presented in reading sessions.
bandmasters association for the state. On the morning As a result of the meeting at TMEA,
the first Texas Bandmasters Association
Clinic/Convention was held in September
of 1948 in San Antonio at Alamo Heights
High School. At this time the meeting
was titled “The New Music-Marching
Clinic”. Two companies, Southern Music
Company and Sol Frank Uniforms were
the only two companies to have displays
at the first convention.
The first New Music Reading Band,
sponsored by the American Federation
of Musicians Local 23, included many
people that had been in service bands
during World War II. These musicians
had returned home to attend college
and were working on becoming band
directors. Some members of this first
reading band included Bob Geisler
(1962 TBA President), Marion Busby
(1954 President), Phil Busche (1956
President), Doug Williamson (1957
President), Vernon Mayfield, Arnold
Boca (1958 President), Pat Patterson
(1959 President and later TBA
Executive Secretary), Al Sturcio who
was a student at St. Mary’s University,
and Jan Marty—now Jan Sturchio.
Most of the music played by the
reading band was furnished by
Southern Music Company. However,
directors were encouraged to bring

Bandmasters Review • June 2017 6 Texas Bandmasters Association