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

Page 9 text:

PROF'S BAND Wiley retires after twenty-five years as director of Tech's Big Red Band. TECH'S MAN OF THE YEAR By MARY ALICE CRETSINGER Phrases such as guiding father of music in Texas and the father of Texas college bands add up to an im- posingly big, friendly man known af- fectionately as Prof to Techsans. Prof,', alias Dr. Dewey O. Wiley, professor of music and director of bands, once said You can get more work out of band students by kidding them along than by using a severe handf' This has been his philosophy since coming to Texas Tech in 1934. Now, 25 years later, the retiring Dr. Wiley is leaving behind him a band with a membership of about 114, which was recently outfitted with new uni- forms, a well organized summer band school for directors and public school and college students and a warm spot in the hearts of all who have worked for him and under him. Dr. Wiley first gained nation-wide fame as director of Hardin-Simmons University's Cowboy Band. He is also a member of the American Bandmas- ters Assn. In 1934 when he came to Tech, the Red Raider band consisted of 60 members. Later, Dr. Wiley be- came responsible for a West Texas band clinic each fall at Tech. Prof holds two degrees, a Bachelor of Music from H-SU and an honorary doctor of music degree from Southwest- ern Conservatory of Fine Arts. He has served as president, secretary and treasurer of the Texas Music Edu- cators Assn. and editor and reviewer of new music for the Texas Music Edu-

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DEDICATION Elliot' in+errup'fs rehearsal . . . Prof reads N FRIDAY, May 8, et close group of intimate friends and former students of Dr. D. O. Wiley interrupted the re- hearsal ol the Texas Tech Red Raider Band. The purpose of this interruption was to make 'a long over-due presentation and to pay honor to a man who has given so much of himself to his profession and his school. This was how the dedication of the 1959 LA VENTANA was made. For the story behind this dedication, please turn the page. . . . his friends respond . . . Martin makes presentation Q W R 0, lfvl up 'li anwj Rx GUYS lim ,r. .sgr,,,,M- I V . .. .Qi 5516.95 ,easailiif sp l he and Mrs. Wiley are touched

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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.