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Tennessee Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame: Site:
Selection:
Induction:
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| Current Hall of Fame Inductees |
| Smith | Tucker | Hull | Hull Jr. | Pegram | Webb | Tilson | Julian | Barnes | Casavant | Evans | Connell | Willis | |
Joseph T. Smith - 2008 His first job was at Franklin County High School in Winchester, Tennessee followed by a couple of years at Newton County High School in Covington, Georgia before accepting the position of Marching Band Director and Assistant Concert Band Director at Middle Tennessee State University in 1959. He became Director of Bands at MTSU in 1976 and spent the next 27 years making a significant impact on music education in the Southeast. During his time at MTSU, Mr. Smith had the vision to create the "Contest of Champions" in 1962, fielding 13 bands that first year and eventually growing to a limited field of 32 bands each fall. The event became nationally televised by PBS after showing commitment to excellence and educational opportunities for students. As the contest grew, Mr. Smith worked to create more opportunities for students. Out of this effort grew the Southeast Instrumental Clinic - a summer camp experience with professional musicians for high school students and directors. In 1985, the contest sponsored the first Wind Band Conference which employed instrumentation for three concert bands. The conference continues to be widely accepted due to the outstanding conductors, composers, and clinicians who represent the very best in the band profession with no fees charged to the student. The "Contest of Champions" also was able to donate more than $30,000.00 to the MTSU Foundation for scholarships for students with a major or minor in music. Other accomplishments based on the success of the Contest of Champions include: the commissioning of two major works for wind band, a performance on the MTSU campus by the US Marine Band under the direction of Col. John Bourgeouis on the 20th anniversary, and a performance of the US Army Herald Trumpets & Drums on the 25th anniversary. The Contest of Champions also pioneered the "Olympic System" of adjudication for marching band competitions which became accepted by many marching band events throughout the United States. The impact Mr. Smith has made on the numerous students at MTSU and abroad is tremendous and would be impossible to document in short fashion. A few of the contributions to music in Tennessee and throughout the music profession include: the founding of a community band named the Tennessee Valley Winds which has performed at three TMEA conferences, in London, and at the Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. The MTSU University band also made six concert appearances at TMEA under his direction. Mr. Smith served as the Director-Organizer of the All Tennessee Collegiate Band for the purpose of performing for the dedication ceremonies of the Nissan Truck Plant and also chaired the National Band Association marching activities. He was the chairman of establishing the first All Tennessee Concert Band Festival and consulted in the forming of the "Great American Music Festival" in Orlando, Florida. He served on the Executive Board for MTSBOA and served as a board member for the Tennessee Music Educator's Association. He held memberships in MTSBOA, TMEA, MENC, CBDNA, NBA, TBA, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Smith has received numerous awards including six Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association and the Medal of Honor from the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Board. He is a Distinguished Alumni of MTSU and is an elected member of Phi Beta Mu and the American Bandmasters Association. He has been inducted into the MTSU Band of Blue Hall of Fame and has received the National Patron Award for Delta Omicron and the Phi Mu Alpha Orpheus Award. He has been named a Kentucky and Tennessee Colonel and was awarded Professor Emeritus status from MTSU upon his retirement. Even after his retirement, Mr. Smith continues to contribute to the betterment of students at the MTSU School of Music. Recently, Mr. Smith and his wife Billie made a significant contribution of endowing a music scholarship for MTSU band undergraduates who desire to pursue a graduate degree. It is very difficult to summarize the impact of Mr. Joe T. Smith. He taught us to be the best at everything we do and never settle for mediocrity. He taught us this not only with his musical talent, but also his strive for excellence at being a gifted photographer and master craftsman of furniture and boats. Everything he does, he does with quality in mind. He understood and taught the meaning of hard work, dedication, determination, and professionalism. There is no possible way to adequately thank him for his efforts to make us work to achieve excellence, nor to show on paper the magnitude of his efforts to maintain the highest level of musical brilliance. The countless number of successful music educators touched by Mr. Smith continues to make a difference in the lives of students, professionals, educators, and friends everywhere. Sponsored by Terry Jolley, Wayne Tipps, & Craig Cornish- top - |
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Tom Tucker - 2008 Tom and his wife, Carolyn, moved to Columbia in January, 1959, where he was welcomed by the famous Hewgley brothers and hired to teach at McDowell Elementary School. Immediately, Tom began working part-time as a repairman for Hewgley's Music Shop in Columbia and in the fall of that year he began teaching at Whitthorne Junior High as the assistant band director to Tom Hewgley. When Tom Hewgley resigned in the fall of 1960, Tom Tucker was chosen to fill those very big shoes. With much hard work and many hours, Tom was able to uphold the grand tradition of the Columbia High School Marching Band, leading them to win the Grand Championship at the Contest of Champions in 1965, 1967, and 1969. In 1969, the Columbia Band was awarded the Inaugural Tennessee Governors Cup by Governor Buford Ellington, proclaiming them as the first Tennessee State Marching Band Champion. Tom, along with his long-time friend and mentor A. R. Casavant (a 2004 inductee to the Hall of Fame) was a part of the development and growth of precision drill for marching bands. Tom traveled extensively as a drill designer and instructor for the Casavant marching staff and quickly became recognized as a "premier" drill designer for marching bands across the country. Tom and his family spent many summers at Camp Crescendo in Kentucky after he was hired by Joseph T. Smith as drill designer and instructor. This eventually led to a tenure as instructor and designer with Joe Smith at the MTSU summer band camps. His drills and custom music arrangements have been enjoyed by students and audiences across our nation. Tom's success on the concert stage was just as impressive - receiving ratings lower than Superior only twice in the twenty-four years that his concert bands performed at Concert & Sight-Reading Festival. He, along with co-director Bill Hull, maintained a quality concert band program that performed in various venues across the nation including New York City and Orlando, and for three United States presidents. Composers and clinicians often requested use of the Columbia Concert Band for clinics and workshops. His high standards of musicianship and discipline were an influence on hundreds of young people. The students of the Columbia program were known for their domination of chair placements in both Mid-State and All-State bands, with hundreds of them receiving college scholarships as a result of their musical abilities. In 1977, Tom Icft his position at Columbia Central to teach full time at Whitthome Junior High, also in Columbia. While continuing to supply the Columbia Band program with quality young players, Tom was instrumental in organizing the Maury County Community Band - an organization that has since continued to entertain the citizens of Columbia and Maury County. In 1982 he resigned his position with Maury County Public Schools to devote all his time to Custom Flags, manufacturing flags for marching bands at both the high school and collegiate levels. He continued to support band programs throughout the country through his business, and was always available for consultation and/or advice. During his career as a band director, Tom's reputation and expertise kept him busy as both a clinician and adjudicator, and he has served on numerous committees and advisory boards in an effort to increase the quality of instrumental music education. He maintained memberships in TMEA, TBA, MENC, and Phi Beta Mu, and served as President of MTSBOA. In 1985 Tom was inducted into Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia as a Lifetime Honorary member. In July, 2003, Custom Flags was sold and Tom quietly put away both his conducting baton and flag pole to retire to his woodsy hillside home just outside Columbia. Tom's legacy has and still continues to influence thousands of band students through former Columbia graduates who have themselves become successful band directors. Tom continues to stay involved in the Columbia and Whitthome programs as a private instructor for clarinet and saxophone students and often offers invaluable advice to the current directors of the band programs. In fifty years of marriage, Tom and his wife Carolyn reared three children, Gary, Jim, and Sharon - all of whom are actively involved in musical activities. Tom Tucker's capability as a director and clinician earned the respect of musicians throughout the State of Tennessee and was sought after by those seeking advice and counsel. His former students respected him not only for his ability to impart a quality musical experience but also because he set a sterling example for them in citizenship, character, responsibility, and integrity. Tom Tucker has made a profound impact on thousands of young Tennesseans throughout his lifetime and these very students recognize Mr. Tucker as a "Giant of their Past". For this reason and those previously mentioned, I am honored to nominate Tom Tucker for inclusion into the Tennessee Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame. Sponsored by Rick Murphy- top - |
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Bill Hull - 2008 Upon graduation from Tech, Bill's first job moved him to Bedford County and the Shelbyville school system, where he served from 1958 - 1963. In the fall of 1963, he moved to Columbia to become the brass and percussion instructor and director of the Columbia Central High School concert band and Whitthorne Junior High's marching band. Collaborating with Tom Tucker for the next fifteen years, the Columbia concert bands were superb, receiving consistent superior ratings in the performance of Grade VI classification music. During the summer of 1968, the Columbia Central concert program was asked to be the featured Clinic Band at Peabody College of Vanderbilt, where the band was conducted by the internationally renowned composer Vaclav Nehlybel. Another featured performance was given in 1970 at the Mid-South Band Clinic in Memphis. During Bill's tenure and leadership, the Columbia Band consistently placed 30-35 students in the All Middle Tennessee Bands and 10-15 students in the Tennessee All State Band or Orchestra each year. These very students went on to prestigious universities throughout our nation, receiving scholarships for their musical abilities and, many went on to major in music, becoming successful band directors. In 1978, Bill left teaching for a lucrative position in sales with Henco, Inc., based in Selmer, Tennessee. After several years with Henco, Bill longed to work with band students again, and he returned to Whitthome Middle School in 1987, where he worked with Connie Cathey for four years and Jim Tucker for six years. Bill retired from Maury County Public Schools in 1998, but continued teaching privately until 2005. Professionally, Bill is past president of the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, where he served for three two-year terms. He was on the Tennessee Music Educators Association's Board of Control for nine years, and has chaired several All State events. He is also a past president of the Tennessee Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, a national band director's fraternity and recipient of a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. He has appeared as clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeastern United States. In retirement, Bill Hull continues to perform on trumpet in several adult community bands and does free-lance work. He and his wife, Jean-Marie, reside in Culleoka, Tennessee. Bill Hull's philosophy on teaching is summed up in a quote often used by Don Wilcox, Director of Bands Emeritus at West Virginia University: Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Thousands of young Tennesseans have parlayed these words into memorable musical moments that contribute to their musicianship and life experiences and, to the lives they impact and influence through their art. Bill Hull developed compassionate, curious, complex, and complete human beings who appreciate what it means to connect to music for life. For these reasons, I am honored to nominate him for inclusion into the Tennessee Bandmaster's Association Hall of Fame. Sponsored by Rick Murphy- top - |
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Kenton J. Hull Jr. - 2008 Upon graduation, Ken returned to Sparta as band director. In his second year his band received the only Superior ratings in Marching and Concert that White County High School had ever earned. In the fall of 1962, he moved to Nashville and taught at North High School one year before moving to Two Rivers High School. Over the next eight years, the band grew to 300 members in grades 7-12. The band received consistent superior ratings in marching, concert, and sight-reading. The band won the Tennessee State Marching Championship and the Contest of Champions at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 1970. While at Two Rivers High School, Ken earned his Master of Arts degree in Supervision and Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. In 1971, McGavock High School opened and the next six years brought five consecutive state marching band championship trophies. The band also won the Contest of Champions again in 1972. During those six years, the McGavock band placed 96 members in Middle Tennessee Clinic Band and 41 members in All State organizations. The wind ensemble was selected by audition to perform at the M.E.N.C. National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia in 1972. While teaching at McGavock, Ken was active as a clinician and adjudicator in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, and Florida. Throughout his band career, he was an active member of Middle Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association. His honors include: President of Phi Beta Mu, MAC Award in 1976, Bands of America Advisory Board Member from 1975 to 1977, National Band Association Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence A ward in 1985. While teaching. his bands were invited to perform at the Orange Bowl Parade, and The Concert of Spring in Xochimilco, Mexico. Based on his bands' performances, the McGavock High School Band was invited to march in the Rose Parade in 1978. Ken left teaching in 1977 to work in fund raising with school and youth groups. After a successful twenty-two year career, he retired and lives with his wife, Sandy, in Madison, Tennessee. - top - |
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Dr. Wayne Pegram - 2007 As Music Director at Loudon, Franklin, Knoxville South, and Murfreesboro Central High Schools, his groups earned Superior Ratings in all areas. The Murfreesboro Central program was winner of the 1967 Orange Bowl Parade Best Marching Band award, and was selected as the Phi Beta Mu Band of the Year. This award resulted in Pegram being asked to compete in writing a professional book for Parker Publishing Company. The eventual result of this competition was the book Guidelines for Developing the High School Band. In 1968, he began his fifteen year tenure as Director of Bands at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville. During his tenure ensembles from Tech were invited to and performed multiple times at state, regional, and national MENC conventions as well as the National Band Association's National Convention. In addition, the Tech Symphony Band recorded twelve Composer Festival Albums as well as fourteen Promotional Educational Recordings for Hal Leonard, C. L. Barnhouse, and Jenson Publishing Companies. While Director of Bands at Tech, Pegram also began national and international publication of various arrangements and original works, primarily for Marching Bands, including his own series with Hal Leonard entitled Corps Impact. In 1985 Dr. Pegram became Coordinator of Music Education at Tech until his retirement as Professor Emeritus in 2003. He has also served as Music Director of the Tennessee Tech Community Symphony Orchestra, began the Cookeville Community Concert Band, and organized the Tennessee Ambassadors of Music, an international touring group specializing in band and choir performance tours of Western Europe. He also expanded his arranging and composition to works for concert band, tuba ensemble, and jazz ensemble published by C. L. Barnhouse, Warner Brothers, Theodore Presser, Ludwig, and Neil Kjos. During his career Dr. Pegram has appeared as a clinician, adjudicator, conductor, or consultant in forty states, Canada, England, Switzerland and European Union Countries. He has more than sixty publications to date. Throughout his career he has maintained an extremely active performance schedule on a variety of instruments as well as genres. In addition to his musical pursuits he is an avid gardener, golfer, and fisherman. He and his wife Eiaine enjoy traveling both domestically and internationally. They have three sons, Eric. Jon, and Joey, and three grandchildren (to date), Cypress, Monica, and Dusty. - top - |
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Rodney W. Webb - 2007 Born in Livingston, TN, Webb had 25 years teaching experience. He'was director at Cumberland, Bellevue, and Glencliff High Schools in Nashville before assuming his duties at John Overton High School, where he served from 1976 until his retirement in 1991. He also served as Associate Director of Bands at Vanderbilt University in 1981 while on leave from the Metropolitan Nashville School System. While director at Overton, the band was named Grand Champion at the "Contest of Champions" two years, Reserve Grand Champion six years, State Marching Band Champion four years, and state runner-up five years. They performed in the Fiesta Bowl Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and other locations including Nassau, Bahamas, Washington D.C., Disney World, Epcot Center, and Disneyland. Under Webb's direction, the John Overton Band was the first winner of the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Shield Marching Band Award. Having served as past president of MTSBOA and TBA, Webb also held membership in the TEA, NEA, MNEA, TMEA, MENC, and the NBA. He was also a member of the Phi Mu Alpha National Music Fraternity and past president of Phi Beta Mu National Bandmasters Fraternity. He received the National Band Association's "Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence", the "Citation of Excellence" award for outstanding contribution to bands and band music, and served on the advisory Board of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the Executive Boards of TMEA and MTSBOA, and extensively as an adjudicator and clinician for marching and concert bands. It is impossible to list all the things that Rodney Webb did or the contributions he made during his lifetime. The impact he had on the lives of everyone he was associated with was tremendous. He always stressed the positive and strived for perfection. He had an ability to think through a situation, play the devil's advocate, then give a decision or suggestion that would better the organization, event, or person. Rodney Webb was a "Class Act" and he always taught the same. He knew the secret of being a true champion. Rodney Webb is greatly missed, but his spirit lives on through the lives ofthe families and colleagues he has touched. The cherished memories he helped us all build will be around forever. His legacy is best served by showing young people the joy oflife through teaching them to love music. "With unrelenting crescendo, the symphony of a life replete with melodic progression hastens to its finale. And a friendship that is ours to share with its 'largos' and 'allegros' moves everlasting; onward in sweet memories." Sponsored by Jo Ann Hood- top - |
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J.S. Tilson - 2006 After finishing his degree in Choral studies at East Tennessee State University, Jewell said that he was "talked into" teaching band by former Elizabethton High School band director, Mel Kelly. Mr. Tilson began his teaching career at Elizabethton Junior High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee, teaching band for 2 1/2 years. He hen returned to Washington County, Tennesse schools and taught at his high school alma mater at Washington College Academy for 4 years. Returning to Elizabethton High School, Mr. Tilson taught band and chorus for 3 years. Jewle then replaced A.R. Casavant at City High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee for 10 years. Following City High School, Jewel returned to Northeast Tennessee at Dobbyns-Bennett, Jewel taught at John Sevier Middle School with Kingsport City Schools for 5 years. Jewel retired from teaching in 1986. During his teaching career, Jewel's bands were noted for outstanding concert and marching performances with his bands receiving numerous superior ratings. While he was directing in Chattanooga, the City High School Band won first place at the Contest of Champions held at Middle Tennessee State University. While in Kingsport, the Dobbyns-Bennett High School Band became one of the first high school bands in the state of Tennessee to travel internationally. Under his tutelage, Dobbysn-Bennett Band received the Minister of Education Award for Musical Performance at the International Band Festival in Vienna, Austria in 1972. In addition, the Dobysn-Bennett Band traveled to Spain during the 1970's and enjoyed a European tour in 1980. Mr. Tilson has served as clinician and judge throughout the south both during his teaching career and since his retirement. Jewel has served as President of the Tennessee Band Masters Association and holds membership in the East Tennesse School Band and Orchestra Association, National Band Association and Music Educators National Conference. Mr. Tilson is also a member of Phi Beta Mu. Jewel resides now with his wife Koleta in Kingsport, Tennessee. - top - |
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W J Julian - 2006 After the war, he entered Northwestern University and earned the B.M., M.M., and PhD Degrees. He was Dircetor of Bands at Tennessee Tech for ten years, then he moved to the University of Tennessee where he served as Director of Bands for 33 years. Dr. Julian is Past President of TMEA, Past President of the National Band Association, Past President of the College Band Directors National Association and Past President of the American Bandmasters Association. In 1992, he was elected a fellow in the Academy of Winds & Percussive Arts, and in 1994 was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
He has served as adjudicator, clinician and conductor thorughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe and Japan. Dr. Julian resides in Knoxville with his wife, Faye, who is Dean of Communications and Information at the University of Tennessee. His daughter, Jennifer is with the YMCA in Raleigh-Durham, NC, and his son, Jeff, is a salesman in Knoxville. He is also the proud owner of Sam, a Golden Retriever. - top - |
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D. Stanley Barnes - 2005 During his seven-year tenure at Holston the band receved numerous awards for both marching and concert band and was considered one of the top grade six programs in the East Tennessee Region. In 1970, Mr. Barnes accepted the Director of Bands position at Clinton High School in Clinton, TN. The highly entertaining style that became the trademark of Mr. Barnes brought both regional and national recognition to the Clinton Band. While under his direction the Clinton Band was selected to march in the world famous Macy's Parade in New York City appearing on all national television networks, and was selected as a feature band on ABC's "Good Morning America". Clinton was also selected for and won the "Greatest Bands in Dixie" marching contest in New Orleans, LA. and represented the state of Tennessee as they traveled to England's New Year's Day London Parade. With hard work and outstanding leadership the Clinton Band soon began to establish itself as one of the south's premier symphonic band programs. The band performed at the Tennesse Music Educators Association Convention and two National Band Directors Association Conventions. Perhaps the most prstigious event for the Clinton Band occurred in 1977 when the band performed at the Mid-West Band Clinic in Chicago, Il. Mr. Barnes concluded his teaching career at Anderson County High School in Clinton, Tennessee where once again he directed this band to new levels of excellence. Mr. Barnes held numerous offices in the many professional organizations to which he belonged. He is a "Honorary Life Member" of the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association and the Tennessee Secondary Schools Band Directors Association. - Sponsored by Perry Elliott - top - |
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A.R. Casavant - 2004 Upon graduation, Casavant chose to attend Tennessee Military Institute in Sweetwater, Tennessee, studying business administration. While a student there he met Sweetwater native Mary Nancye Ewing, and the two were married in 1939. After graduating from TMI in 1938 he stayed on at TMI as an instructor while attending the University of Tennessee. Upon arriving as a student at TMI in 1935, Casavant was given the responsibility of leading the school's regimental band. Later, in 1938, he began the first band program at McMinn County High School in nearby Athens, Tennessee. Casavant continued to teachin both Sweetwater and Athens until 1943. Casavant originally moved to Chattanooga in 1943 to work as an estimator at a steel foundry, but found he could not stay away from music. He played professionaly in several groups including the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera. He was convinced by colleagues to join the Chattanooga School System in 1944 teaching junior high instrumental music and assisting at Chattanooga High School (commonly known as City High). During this time (1944-1947) Casavant also attended the University of Chattanooga, where he received Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Casavant took over the City High program in 1950 from his predecessor, Colonel Ira Summers. At that point in time the band was officially an R.O.T.C. unit, and one of the first changes was the establishment of a credited period for band, as well as the purchase of published concert literature and instruments. In addition to being responsible for the inclusion of music instruction at the elementary level, Casavant also started band programs at nearby schools in East Ridge and Rossville, Georgia. Under Casavant, the City High School Band became incredibly successful in concert, and marching, and jazz genres, and enjoyed a reputation of excellence. During his tenure at City High, A.R. Casavant developed a style of marching drill that would become known as Precision Drill. Although the name and concepts were not new, no one had combined, interpreted, and presented them in this fashion. It was a radical departure from anything being done at the time, and what are now considered simple maneuvers, such as a "Step-2" drill, had never been witnessed by audiences or judges. Casavant set about trainig the City High Band in his new marching style in the preparation for the 1953 marching contest in Bristol, Tennessee. When the 64 member City High Band (later known as the "Perfect 64") stepped off the goal line, they received an unprecedented score of 99.6. The next 4 years that score was a perfect 100. In fact, one year, Dale Clevenger, a former student and Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony, retells that Glenn Cliffe Bainum, one of the adjudicators, immediately marked a 100 on his comment sheet, and sat back so he could enjoy the show. Each year, more publicity surrounded Casavant and the "Chattanooga" style of marching until in 1955, hen the band was asked to perform on national television for a Washington Redskins game, and directors across the country who had heard of the City High Band now got to see what was actually happening on the field. At the end of the 1958-59 chool year, demand was so great for Casavant's services around the country that he left the City High School to pursue clinical teaching full time. Between 1959 and 1979, Casavant authored forty texts on drill techniques, including Precision Drill and the Exhibition Marching Series. In addition, he alsoproduced over ninety drill routines for Southern Music, the majority of which had the musical arrangements provided by composer and arranger Charles Carter. After earning his first degree in music from VanderCook College of Music in 1952, he found himself back at Vandercook in 1957 in the role of the teacher, and continued teaching summer workshops in marching band techniques until 1983. Because of his distinguished career and service to the school, Casavant was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1988. An ougrowth of the Vandercook summer workshops was th Casavant Calvacade, the vehicle by which Casavant would obtain his greatest visibility. The Calvacade was a week-long workshop presented on college campuses and other sites throughout the country. These started in the summer of 1959 and continued through 1979, when Dr. David Wells bought the rights and continues to conduct four weeks of clinics each year. In addition to his work in the US, Casavant was invited repeatedley to England and Ireland to Work with military and civilian bands, and in 1980 he and his wife Nancye embarked on an eight-week world tour to work with school, community, and military bands in Australia, England, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zeland, South America, and Germany. Casavant's company, ARC Products, was orginally started in 1957 for the purpose of publishing books, but later served as the source for innovative products Casavant produced for marching band. Casavant obtained five U.S. Patents for his inventions, such as tuba and percussion carriers, and a detachable leg rest for snare drums, and produced and sold them through ARC Products until the late 1980's. A.R. Casavant has perhaps had more impact on the world of marching band than perhaps any single individual in history. Today his books, theories, and routines are common to all music education programs and used extensively as teaching examples, and there is literally no area of the marching band genre in which hi work has not influenced. A.R. Casavant died on March 24, 2002 at the age of 85, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he continued to reside throughout his life. He is survived by his wife Nancye, and his five children. Interestingly enough, three of the five Casavant children are university professors or researchers, and they tech in fields that Casavant himself studied. Richard is Dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga, Charles in professor of music and driector of the marching band at Indian University of Pennsylvania, and Carol is a microbiologist at the University of Iowa. - top - |
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James F. "Pete" Evans - 2004 Mr. Evans' numerous professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mus National Honorary Music Fraternity, Music Educators' National Conference, Phi Mul Alpha Honorary Music Society, Tennessee Education Association, and the National Education Association. Mr. Evans' service to education includes SACS evaluation of Middle Schools and High Schools for twenty-five years, Academic Excellence Banquet co-founder, Steering Committee Chairperson for Milan High School's ten year SACS evaluation, five year follow-up, and Chairperson of the 1996 SACS Velief-Mission Committee. Mr. Evans' service to Tennessee included Music in Our Schools State Chair. All-State Jazz Band Chair, All-State Audition Chair, Regional Jazz Band Chair, and a member of TMEA Board for twelve years. In 1995, Mr. Evans served on the three member State Department of Education Committee for the purpose of developing the Music Curriculum for grades nine through twelve in correlation with the National Standards for the Arts. Mr. Evans held a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Arkansas State University and a Master's in Music Education and Administration from the University of Tennessee. He had subsequently done postgraduate study at the University of Southern Mississippi, Vandercook School of Music, and the University of Kentucky. Mr. Evans was actively involved as a clinician, judge, drill designer, music choreographer, and lecturer in the Southeast. Mr. Evans was born February 2, 1939 in Parsons, TN. He died on November 29, 2000. His companion in life was Janie and together they had two children: Darrell and Marie. - top - |
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Jack D. Connell - 2003 From 1943 - 1945 Connell served in the United States Army fighting in the European Theater. After his service to his country, he completed his BS degree in Music Education at Jacksonville State Teachers College in Jacksonville, Alabama. Mr. Connell began his teaching career in 1950 with the Maryville Tennessee City School System, where his bands were consistently rated superior in all phases of musical performance. In 1963 he was selected as the Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Knoxville City School System. He served in this position until 1987, and during his tenure he promoted Knoxville bands to a nationally recognized level of excellence. His advanced derees included a Masters degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and an Honorary Doctorate from the Mexico City Conservatory of Music, Mexico. He was a member of NBA, M.E.N.C., and E.T.S.B.&O.A. and was a member of Phi Beta Mu, a national fraternity for outstanding bandmasters. Mr. Connell was in demand as a clinician and adjudicator in Mexico, Europe, and throughout the United States. He and his wife, Nelle Thomas Connell, were the parents of three children: William Jackson, Kimberly Connell Hill, and Mark Thomas. Mr. Connell's influence was instrumental in the developement of band programs in the eastern part of Tennessee and his love for band and band music was legendary. -Sponsor Perry Elliott- top - |
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O'Dell Willis - 2003 For 42 years O'Dell played an important part in the band movement as a conductor and an adjusicator at public school music festivals and contests, co-director of the Smokey Mountain Summer Music Camp in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and director of state and clinic bands throughout the Southeast. He was truly one of the pioneers for instrumental music in the State of Tennessee. In addition to the distinguished record of fine bands throughout his career, O'Dell was active in many professional and honorary organizations. He served on the Board of the National Band Association and the Music Educators National Conference. He was an active member of the American Bandmasters Association, Phi Delta Kappa, the honorary educational fraternity at the University of Tennessee and ETA chapter of Phi Beta Mu. He served as president of Phi Beta Mu in 1952 and President of the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association 1942-46, 1949-51, and 1959-61. O'Dell was elected an honorary life member of E.T.S.B. & O.A. He also served as president of the Tennessee Music Educators Association 1962-64 and selected honorary life president in 1971.
His capability as a director and clinician earned the respect of musicians thoughout the State of Tennessee and was sought after by those seeking advice and counsel. His former students respected him not only for his ability to impart a musical experience but he also set an example fo his students in citizenship, character, responsibility, and integrity. - top - |
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Joseph T. Smith (Born January 9,1928)
Born in Tullahoma, TN, Joseph Turner Smith has enjoyed 50 years as a music educator. He is a product of the Tullahoma School system, followed by time serving the
United States as a Marine. After completing his time with the Marines, Mr. Smith
finished his degree at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and later followed that up with more study at Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee.
TOM TUCKER
Thomas Lee Tucker was born at Shelbyville, Tennessee and attended school there, where he was a member of the band, which was then directed by the late Jim Hewgley. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Middle Tennessee State University and majored in instrumental music education. Tom was active in various music organizations at MTSU including band and orchestra, as well as ROTC where he served as director of the band. Following graduation, he served two years as a lieutenant in the United States Army as Entertainment Officer at Ft. Bliss, Texas.
BILL HULL
William Edward Hull was born at Sparta, Tennessee in 1936 and graduated from White County High School in 1954. He attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville and received a Bachelor's Degree in instrumental music education in 1958. During his four years at Tech, Bill was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships and was Band President and student director of the Tech Troubadours, a seventeen member dance orchestra.
Kenton Jarvis Hull Jr.
Ken Hull graduated from White County High School in Sparta, Tennessee in 1956. He attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee where he graduated in 1960 with a degree in music education.
Wayne Pegram
Tennessee Bandmasters Hall of Fame Nominee - 2007 -
A graduate of Waverly Central High School, Wayne Pegram earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Tennessee Tech in three years. He earned a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee while serving as a Graduate Assistant with the University of Tennessee Bands, and his Doctor of Arts Degree in Music Composition and Conducting from the University of Northern Colorado.
Rodney W. Webb (Feb. 25, 1942 - Dec. 17, 1993)
Jewel Tilson was born in Unicoi County and attended Washington College Academy. He received his Bachelor's degree from East Tennessee State University and received a Master's Degree from the University of Illinois in Champagne-Urbana, Illinois.
W J Julian, a native Tennessean, received hi B.S. degree from Tennessee Tech. He Immediatley joined the U.S. Navy where he served for three years in the PAcific Theatre. His ship (LSM 318) was sunk by a Kamikaze plane in the Phillipines on December 7, 1944.
D. Stanley Barnes is a graduate of Shelbyville High School and holds both the BS and MS degrees from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Mr. Barnes began his teaching career at Gibbs High School in Knox County before moving to Etowah, Tennessee. After two years at Etowah he returned to Knoxville to direct the Holston High School Band.
Albert Richard Casavant was born February 13, 1917, in Everett, Massachusetts. His family eventually settled in Warren, Ohio, where Casavant graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1935. During his secondary career he played trumpet in the band and orchestra as well as organizing and leading a basketball pe band as early as ninth grade. Casavant also performed with 6-7 community bands outside school, such as Elk's Club, V.F.W. and American Legion groups.
James F. "Pete" Evans was an educator for thirty-four years, with thirty-one years as a band director and three years as a superintendent. His numerous honors and awards include Tennessee Education Association's Distinguished Classroom Teacher of the Year, Tennseess Govenor's School of the Arts Outstanding Teacher, Tennessee Music Educator's Association Administrator of the year 1998, President of TMEA, President of West Tennessee SChool Band and Orchestra Association for two terms, Tennessee Bandmasters' Association President, Milan Young Mand of the Year, Distinguished Service Award for the City of Milan, and Career Ladder III Teacher since inception.
Jack D. Connell (Octbober 20, 1924 - February 16, 1994). Born in Alabama and attended Glencoe High School in Gadsden, Alabama, where as a student started the school band program under the supervision of Dr. Mort Glosser, Director of Bands at Gadsden High School.
O'Dell Willis, a native Kentuckian, was the band director at Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee from 1937 to 1971. Prior to his tenure at Central High School he was the band director at Harlan, Kentucky from 1930 to 1937.
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