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

Page 23 text:

DRUM MAJORS Marlin Lindsey and Wells league served the Red Raider band as the year ' s drum majors. Band Being In the big Texas Tech band in 1964 was a novel experience — even for musicians who had marched with the colorful crew for several years. Besides being on regional and national television for several games, the 250 marching bandsmen got a closeup look of a rarity on the South Plains — rain. During the first couple of home football games in the fall, the Jones Stadium specta- tors began to feel that someone up there was against them, but the band members on the field knew it. Early in the season, the Lub- bock skies opened up and drenched the band as they were just beginning their half time show for the Tech-University of Texas game. But that didn ' t stop them. They finished the show, even if very few THE LONG RED LINE An NBC cameraman gets a closeup in the Sun Bowl. persons in the stands could get a clear view of them for the many umbrellas. Then, the very next weekend, every- thing was perfect until just before gametime when nature bared her teeth again. But this time the musicians were ready, and as the first drops of rain and hail fell, they packed their instru- ments and quickly made their way back to the safety of the band hall. For the rest of the season, every eye in that goin ' band from Raiderland warily watched the heavens when they performed at home. The local fans got to see some of the shows they missed when the band marched in Houston, and the game was broadcast in Lubbock. But between shows, a lot of work went on behind the scenes that the common viewer didn ' t get to see or probably didn ' t know about. Beginning on Monday of each week, Ht it ittte obcr MAJOREHES Chris Adrean, Juanna Jo Moore, Dyanne Curry, Judy Dan- ner, Roxie Ward, Carole Brashear, Judy Stewart, Carol Young the band would meet for its regular hour practice soon after noon. For the first half hour of that first day, the bandsmen would look over and prac- tice their music for the next show, then they would spend a half hour study- ing the marching routine. Depending on the weather, all of Tuesday ' s practice was spent outdoors walking through the routine and get- ting each individual step committed to memory. Wednesday was the day the entire show was pieced together; the bands- men played the music they had been practicing on their own as they marched through the steps. Frantic Day was what Thursday GLinER AND GLAMOR Feature twirlers Claudean Terrasas and Vicki Keene were always there. was nervously known as around the Music Building. According to one of the musicians, that was the day when nothing seemed to work and the pres- sure of learning so much in so lit- tle time made the show look rough and far from ready for Satur- day ' s game. Friday was pol- ishing day when the fine details were put in and hopes began to rise as the band members marched through from start to finish. At dress re- hearsal on Satur- day, everything seemed to jell and everyone was con- fident when they marched out on the green ex- panse of Jones Stadium. That ' s the way every performance went, even the one in sunny El Paso where the Tech band made their debut on national television in December. NO RAIN TODAY Marchers finally get a chance to perform for the home folks. Ah

Page 22 text:

MUSIC DR. GENE HEMMLE Department Head Music Department If music be the food of life, play ort, play on, play on, so said William Shakespeare, and so too might be the motto for Tech ' s music department, which now ranks third in the state in enrollment. Co-ordinating the work of the various organizations making up the depart- ment is the primary concern of Dr. Gene Hemmle, who has been the music department head for 15 years. Dr. Hemmle has watched his department blossom from a faculty comprised of four full-time staff members in 1949 to its present size of 29. Upon arriv- ing at Tech Dr. Hemmle served as both department head and director of Tech choir, but when the administrative duties became too time consuming and complex in 1956, he turned the choirs over to Dr. Gene Kenney. DEAN KILLION Marlin Dean Killion has achiev- ed national recognition for his work with the Tech band program during the past six years. Kil- lion has seen his single band of 90 students grow into five bands utilizing 300 students. Tech ' s band not only has achieved recognition as a show unit on the football field but also excels in concert performances. BANDS In 1963-64 band concerts en- gaged 1,777 students as perform- ers and attracted a total audience of 8,880. Statistics for 1964-65 concerts should be similar accord- ing to Killion. In addition to this work with the Tech band, Killion is a band clinician throughout the South- west. The department, in addition to pro- viding a qualitative program of music theory, music literature and music ed- ucation, places great emphasis on musi- cal performances by both faculty and students. Performing organizations composed of students include the Tech Symphony Orchestra, Tech Band, Stage Band, Brass Choir, String Quartet, Tech Singers, Chamber Orchestra, Baroque Ensemble, Tech Choir, Madrigal Singers, Opera Theater and Choral Belles. Faculty groups include the Piano Trio, Woodwind Quintet and the Brass Quartet. Music education is stressed at Tech and the department is well-known throughout the state and the South- west for its excellent teachers, choir directors and band directors. According to Dr. Hemmle, The entire music faculty believes that music has lifelong values; and instruction at Tech is so designed to allow every student to develop his understandings and capa- bilities in music. I I PAUL ELLSWORTH The Tech Symphony Orchestra has been directed for the past 11 years by Paul Ellsworth. Composed of 90 students, the orches- tra has undergone several significant changes since Ellsworth took over the directorship and had to utilize local high school performers to even have an orchestra. ORCHESTRA One of the more recent innovations was the formation of the Tech Chamber Orchestra, composed of select students who play early and contemporary works. The Orchestra not only presents con- certs throughout the academic year but performs with Tech choral organiza- tions and the Opera Theater by provid- ing string music for their productions. GENE KENNEY: CHOIRS When Dr. Hemmle resigned as Tech choir director to devote more time to administrative duties sev- en years ago, Gene Kenney be- came director of the widely known South Plains choir. In addition to conducting all choral activities, Kenney has been a guest conductor for high school choirs throughout the South and the Southwest. During the past year he directed the all-state chorus of Alabama and a number of choirs at regional festivals. Among Tech Choir ' s most not- able performances in 1964 were the appearance at Town Hall in New York City and at the 1964 World ' s Fair. 18

Page 24 text:

Tech Choir 1 f f 1 • i • • e f r V H H H V V ill m k 1 Tech Male Glee Club s A t - J ' ' W sti A. f n , 1 ' ■■■ ■ n d 1 ! ' i 1 B V H 111 fl i t