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

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RED RAIDER BAND Texas Tech ' s Red Raider Band surprised many people this year, perhaps itself most of all. A band is a temperamental thing and there was much apprehension at the prospect of changing directors, but the transi- tion last summer from Professor Dewey O. Wiley, who had headed the band for twenty- five years, to Mr. Dean Killion was made with surprising smoothness. Killion, with his sincerity, good humor, and firm hand, won the students almost at once and his change of the band ' s former halftime marching style was also well re- ceived. In spite of getting used to a new director and a new style of marching, the band did a very good job with its first show, performed after classes had been in session only one week. Killion ' s background. Bom in Nebras- ka, Killion played the trumpet and cornet from fifth grade through college. He earned his Master ' s degree from the University of Nebraska and for some years following, a Nebraska high school band served as a prov- ing ground for his ability as a director. Dur- ing this time his band reigned undefeated in both concert and marching contests. The University of Nebraska invited him back as a professor and assistant director of bands. Two years later Killion moved to California as the head director of bands at Fresno State College. Upon hearing of the resignation of Professor Wiley, Killion applied for and received the directorship of the Red Raider Band of Texas Tech. Changes style. Before coming to Tech, Killion began to admire the Big Ten bands and decided that their show band style was the coming thing. The Red Raider Band now uses that fast, high-stepping, shoulder- swinging cadence to move around the field. The Tech Band was founded in 1925, the same year that the college opened its doors as an educational institution. This first band, made up of twenty-five members who used borrowed instruments and music, was directed by Harry LeMaire, a retired Army band director and Spanish-American War veteran. Tech ' s original uniforms consisted of red coats with black sleeves and black trousers. 22

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MU PHI EPSILON Music Sorority On November 13, 1903, an organization was founded that grew to have a tremendous effect on the music world. The Metropoli- tan College of Music in Cincinnati was the location for the origin of what evolved into the nation ' s outstanding professional music sorority — Mu Phi Epsilon. Professor Win- throp S. Sterling, dean of the college, and Elizabeth Mathias, faculty member, estab- lished the sorority so that women would have a comparable organization to Phi Mu Alpha (Sinfonia), music fraternity for men. By 1958 the sorority had grown to 78 col- legiate chapters and 61 alumnae chapters. It is a great honor to any college and to the women music majors of that college to be chosen worthy of the establishment of a chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Texas Tech received this sort of reward when the Epsi- lon Pi chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon was formed in 1952. It brought the much de- served official recognition to those women who had proven themselves superior in both scholarship and musical ability. A girl must have a 2.0 the preceding semester to pledge. Members of Mu Phi Epsilon have high qualifications and an unques- tionable character. Musical activities. Musically minded girls find several benefits in belonging to a professional music sorority. Exchanging new ideas and working on projects of mu- tual interest helps to promote a friendship within the sisterhood. Music in America is constantly being investigated and improved by these talented girls. Each girl is en- couraged to support all worthwhile musical productions and is asked to participate in solo creative efforts and performances. Local projects which correspond to the ideals set forth by the national chapter are current in Epsilon Pi Chapter. Activities range from the social realm to the actual presentation of concerts. During this year, service has taken a more prominent posi- tion in the organization ' s numerous events. Members give freely of their time to usher at all of the music department ' s produc- tions. Welcoming committee. In the early fall the social element reigns supreme and a red carpet greeting is the lavish treat- ment given to all incoming freshman music majors. A welcoming tea is the highlight of these activities. But, of course, the mem- bers spend a majority of their efforts in strictly musical presentations. Tech ' s Mu Phi Epsilonians were seen performing a chorus for opera and theater productions. The spring ' s activities boosted a piano en- semble concert. The national projects which are carried out by all collegiate and alumnae chapters have a rich and historical purpose to each of them. Perhaps most of the service of these chapters is directed toward helping Mu Phi Epsilon School of Music located at Cads Hill Center, Chicago, 111. Individual chapters do volunteer work to provide the necessary finances for scholarships which are granted for the study of music therapy; al so, some chapters contribute to the work of music for the blind. Other national projects include obtaining music for the youth of Japan and the sponsoring of a contest to pick the best original composition. Officers Betty Townsend President Dorothy Pijan Vice President Gracie Russell Treasurer Kathleen La Mar . . Recording Secretary Sue Dixon . . . Corresponding Secretary Karen Frack Historian Mrs. Carole Hester, Mrs. Marjorie Magness Sponsors nnmnn L. Beene, D. Blake, P. Buckley, S. Dixon, D. Dorset, K. Frack, J. Harper J. Henry, K. Hoelscher, K. La Mar, D. Pijan, G. Russell, N. Russell 21

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Mfc Two directors. In 1934 LeMaire, who still resides in Lubbock, retired, and Dewey O. Wiley, then director of the famed Har- din-Simmons Cowboy Band, accepted the di- rectorship of the Texas Tech Band. The only instrument that Tech owned when Director Wiley arrived was an old E- flat tuba. With money saved from a limited budget, Mr. Wiley purchased some used in- struments. The lack of music was another handicap. Wiley solved the problem in part by going to Dallas, where he acquired the music library of four of five hundred num- bers from the dissolved State Fair Band. In the beginning years the organization was known as the Matador Band and was attired in costumes similar to those worn by Spanish matadors. In 1937 Professor Wiley succeeded in obtaining red and black mili- tary uniforms which were used until the spring of 1958. Traditionally, these uni- forms were bought with Will Rogers ' aid, who promised to match any amount of money the band could raise. In the spring of 1958 the band donned uniforms of modi- fied West Point style, donated largely by Lubbock individuals and businesses. Many homes. First housing for the band was off campus, but in the summer of 1934 the band moved into a room in the Textile Engineering Building where it remained for the next twelve years. In June of 1946 it was again moved, this time into an inade- quate warehouse of the building and grounds superintendent. In September of 1946 the band was given a stucco building that had been used as a milking shed and the next year converted army barracks. The present Music Building was completed in 1951. The Tech Band has several activities during the year besides halftimes, concerts, and parades. For several years the members have gone on a three-day Spring Tour, play- ing single-stand engagements in area towns. In the fall there is a band clinic at Tech for area high school bands and one halftime during football season is devoted to Band Day with several high school bands joining the Red Raider Band on the playing field. Social activities. The band also has several social activities, including a picnic and the election of a Band Sweetheart. DEAN KILLION New director. There is a dance with a live stage band in the fall and Club Finale, a costume affair, in the spring. For the sports ' -minded band members, there is the slime-upperclassman football game and a Kappa Kappa Psi-Phi Mu Alpha football game. Despite its relative youth the Texas Tech Red Raider Band has gained national recog- nition through its marching and playing ability and its appearances in nearly every part of the country except the eastern sea- board. 23