Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

Page 11 text:

Kappa Kappa P I Kappa K'1pp'1 PS1 Some like nf l'1o+ Alpha Omlcron chqpter of Kappa Kappa P91 n'1t1on1l fraternity for col lege loandsmen IG 20 ye'1rS old As the oldest chapter IH Texas 'md the Qecond Creek letter fraternuy on mrnpus Alplm OYTIICYOH has durmg the p'1'st 20 ye'1rs fulfilled ne prlmary oblectlvce IU provldlng QCTVICC to the blnd spon SOIIHCQ Soclals for the bmd and pro motmg fellowshlp 'xmong bandsmen Thls yefnr ln conjqneuon Wlth Tflu Beta Sigma lts Slater Qororlty Kappa Kfrppfr PQ1 sponsored 1 Homecommg banquet for IlS exes '1 Chrlstmn dun ner dance 'md Club F1n'1le 1ts blg soeml ex ent of the year SCFVICC lncluded the COHCLBSIOH Qtand on the T C U 'specml tr nn tmnsporlfl tion of the bande loud 'spewker equlp ment and a freshman orlentqtlon pro gram to help lreshmen in the band to ge 1 he'1d Stqrt 1n student and aca dernlc lxle at college Row I John Alford Dean Breedlove Plulup Brown George Buchanan Don Cross Gerald Fenley Don Grlmes Jlm Henson Row ll Judd Hewleff Bobby Jack Hull Davnd Hoffman Tommy Ingle Bull Sandy Jeff Tem pleion Walfer Wlnlers Bob Wrlgh+ Row lll Bull McDowell James McDowell M Mauldm Tommy Mayfield C A Perdue Alberl' J Roberfs Bull Robinson

Page 10 text:

Q cator, the association's monthly maga- zine. Dr. Wiley is a member of the board of directors of Kappa Kappa Psi, na- tional band fraternity, and is past pres- ident of Phi Beta Mu, national band fraternity for directors. When he accepted the position of band director in 1934, the organization was known as the Matador Band and was attired in costumes similar to those worn by Spanish matadors. Because of the hard winters on the South Plains, the uniforms proved unserviceable, but in 1937, Dr. Wiley succeeded in pro- curing the colorful red and black mili- tary uniforms which the band wore un- til recently when they were outfitted with new ones. The band was first housed in a resi- dence just off Broadway and College. In the summer of 1934, they moved into the Textile Engineering Building, remaining there until 1946. Since the band had no instruments or music of their own, it was the direc- tor's job to build from the ground up. The only instrument Tech owned when Dr. Wiley came was an old E-flat tuba. Chick McElya, now a Dallas civil engineer, was the band's business man- ager when Prof took over. McElya had managed to save back a little mon- ey from a somewhat limited budget. .1 With this Dr. Wiley was able to buy some used instruments. The only new instrument purchased was a bass drum which is still used by the Big Red band today. Another serious problem-the band had no music. With about 8300, Dr. Wiley went to Dallas and bought the music library of the old State Fair of Texas band, which had been dissolved in 1934. - In 1946, the band moved to new quarters in the old Aggie Building Cnow the Speech Buildingj. After one year in this building they moved again -this time to a converted Army bar- racks west of Gordon Hall. Finally, in the early 50's the band moved to their present home-the Music Building. In 1957, the Red Raider Band was selected as Governor Price Danielis offl- cial Inaugural Band, a zenith in the short and glamorous career under the direction of Dr. Wiley. Dr. Wiley has many fond memories of the band during the early days. One incident occurred when the band made a trip to Los Angeles, Calif., to play for a Tech football game. We had planned a fancy night blackout drill with flashlights for those West Coast people, Prof. recalled. The plan was for thc drum major to make two minstrel turns to get the band in position for their formation. I was stationed up in the press box to give the signal to turn off the lights. Instead of giving the band two min- strel turns, though, the drum major gave three. This of course completely reversed the band. The drum major blew his whistle to move into forma- tion. To this day I have never seen such a hodgepodge. Band members were milling around like a herd of cattle. I did the only thing I could. I gave the signal to switch out the lights. I didn't dare look down on the field to see if they had turned on their flashlights for fear of what the formation would look like. When the band started playing I decided to risk a quick peep. I don't think even the band mem- bers knew what happened. I certainly donit. But when I looked down on the field-there, amidst the applause of the pleased crowd-sprawled out on the field was the formation just as we had planned itf' It is for all the warm and inspiring moments which Prof has given not only to so many Tech bandsmen, but with the gratitude of all Techsans and Tex- ans for having had the privilege of knowing the Father of Texas Bands, that we respectfully dedicate the 1959 LA VENTANA.

Page 12 text:

MUSIC Texas Tech's music department has developed notably since the college opened in 1925. Only 34 students en- olled in the four courses offered in 1925, while hundreds register for the many courses offered today. A Bache- lor of Music degree was first offered in May, 1952. The first music department head, and who was the entire department, was Prof. William Richard Waghorne. He inaugurated the Artist Course which was discontinued in 1957. In 1934 Prof. Iulien Paul Blitz became de- partment head. When World War II broke out Prof. Blitz spent weeks teach- ing his chorus class to march in forma- tion. Dr. Gene L. Hemmle succeeded Prof. Blitz as head of the department in 1949. He is assisted with a staff of 13. Tech's department of music has four main objectives: to educate teachers of music, to help each student obtain the skills and proficieneies of a strong mu- sician, and at the same time, through liberal arts course, the same sort of broad general education which is the intellectual foundation of the culti- vated man or woman, to develop talent to the highest degree of artistic capa- bilitiesg to help any student enrolled in the college acquire discriminating and sound critical judgment through courses in music supplemented by con- certs and through association with dis- tinguished teachers. The department of music is housed in a sound-proof air-conditioned build- ing erected in 1951. Within the department are many various activities and organizations, each contributing in various phases. Techis Opera Theater has staged 14 scenes from major operatic repertoire. The Tech Orchestra has not only served as an accompanying organiza- tion, but has presented outstanding concerts of orchestral works throughout the academic year. Texas Techis Band and Choral organizations have each toured West Texas and have presented numerous local appearances through- out the year. New in the department of music this year are the Tech Singers, the Tech Women's Chorus, the Tech Stage Band and the Tech Symphonic Winds. The Tech Men's Glee Club was reorganized during the past academic year. Also new within the department of Music is a music appreciation course designed specifically for non-music ma- jors. This course is Music Literature 131, 132 and has attracted considerable interest among the general students at Tech providing an opportunity for all students to become familiar with the great works in musical literature. Tech Choir Tech Choir, one of the busiest and most popular organizations on the Tech campus, consists of 44 members which come from all the different schools in the college. The personnel of the choir is selected after careful and extensive auditions. The aim of the choir is to provide an opportunity for a certain Gene L. Hemmle Music Head number of students to perform some of the great choral literature, as well as serve as an instrument of entertain- ment, personal relations and advertise- ment for Texas Tech. The schedule of the choir varies from year to year but basically the pattern is one which follows somewhat the same routine, appearing before local civic groups, at local churches and before student bodies of area high schools. Events of the choir this year have been presentation of the Faure Requiem with the Tech Singers and the Tech Orchestra, presentation of a series of sacred concerts featuring the great mas- terpieces, a nationally televised appear- ance, the 10th annual concert tour, and appearances with the band and orches- tra at the annual Tech Tymposium and Contemporary Music. The year was climaxed by the annual banquet and dance at the Caprock Hotel. The Texas Tech Choir Good loolts and talent fool 9