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Bodie Hinton was director of bands at Auburn University from 1956 to 1969 and served as head of Auburn University Department of Music from 1969 to 1984. The band practice field at Auburn University was dedicated the Wilbur "Bodie" Hinton Field in the fall of 1986. Dr. Hinton is a member of Phi Beta MU, The American Bandmasters Association, the Alabama Music Educators Association, MENC, Phi Kappa Phi, and ODK. He is a past president of the Alabama Music Educators Association and the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Dr. Hinton was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame in 1976.
Dianne Johnson is the Director of the Department of Arts Education for the Jefferson County School System where she is responsible for overseeing the choral and elementary music, band, visual arts, theatre and debate programs of 52 schools. From 1996 – 2006 she served as the elementary and choral music supervisor and from 2000-2005 also served as the band supervisor overseeing the instrumental programs of 13 high schools and 11 middle schools. She has taught at all levels including elementary, middle, high school and college. She became a member of MENC, the National Association for Music Education, as a college student and has remained active at both the national and state level since that time. Dianne is a Southern Division MENC Past President and served as a member of the Benchmarks Committee for Content Standard Five. Other services to MENC include: Clinician at the 1994 National Conference, MENC National Certified Music Educator, 1991, participation in the Symposium for National Standards in the Arts and participation in the National Assembly and planning conferences of the Southern Division. She has also served as President of the Alabama Music Educators Association, president of the Elementary/General Division, and chair of the Society for General Music. Her articles have appeared in professional publications such as; Ala Breve, Collegiate Exchange, and Teaching Music. She has been honored as guest conductor and keynote speaker for numerous local, state, and national conferences. In 1989-90, the Alabama Music Educators honored her with its Outstanding Music Educator of the Year Award. Dianne holds Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Montevallo and a master’s level Orff Certificate from the University of Memphis.
Dr. Ed Cleino taught in public schools in Missouri before coming South and teaching at Vanderbilt University 1939 to 1942. He entered the Army Air Force in 1942, and was commissioned in 1943. He served at several airfields before being assigned to the 20th Air Force on Guam, where the mission was “round trips” to Japan. Following WW II, he and his young family moved to the The University of Alabama in 1949, as the College of Education opened its Music Education program. Cleino designed and opened Alabama’s first Master’s Program in Music Education in 1951, followed by doctoral programs in 1960. He has been a member of MENC for 60 years, and was President of the Southern Division 1969-1973. He edited Ala Breve for about ten years, and served as AMEA Membership Chairman for many years. With the opening of the state-wide “Educational Television Network,” Cleino taught TV music lessons designed for in-school use, beginning in 1956. The series, called “Music Time,” was used by 50,000 to 65,000 children each week, with the program continuing for 17 years. Though Cleino retired in 1978, he continues to serve as a mentor to undergraduate music students at UA. His greatest pride is in the success of his former students in their teaching of music in Alabama and in many other states.
Eleanor Nation received the B.S. and M.A. degrees in music from Middle Tennessee State and did summer studies at Bowling Green University (Ohio) and the University of Michigan. She retired after 22 years as choral director at Johnson High School in Huntsville, AL. She had previously taught at Davis Hills Jr. High School and was a part-time instructor at the University of Alabama, Huntsville. Ms. Nations’s choirs distinguished themselves by receiving superior ratings at district, state, regional, and national levels. Under her direction, Johnson Chorale earned nine regional and national Grand Championships. She has often been acknowledged for her expertise in the interpretation and performance of Renaissance and Romantic period music. Mrs. Nation has served Alabama Vocal Association as district chairman, secretary, president-elect, and president. While president, she wrote several articles about the life of a choral director that were re-printed in other state music journals. Ms. Nation has also served as Alabama president of American Choral Directors Association and in several capacities in Huntsville Choral Directors Association. While at Johnson High School, Ms. Nations’s choirs performed on numerous occasions for the Alabama Vocal Association workshops and Alabama Music Educators conventions. In addition, her choirs performed at three regional division conventions of American Choral Directors Association. Ms. Nation has conducted clinics on choral literature and guest conducted Honor Choirs in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. She is a frequent adjudicator throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas. Two of Ms. Nation’s proudest and most humbling moments were being invited to conduct the Huntsville All-City Chorus SATB Choir and the Alabama All-State Men’s Chorus.
Floyd C. McClure was born August 28, 1914 in Oakley, Illinois. He graduated from Decatur High School in Decatur, Illinois in 1933. He received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Murray State College, Murray, Kentucky in 1937 and attended the University of Alabama from 1938 to 1941. He was band director at Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Alabama from 1937 until 1940; Coffee High School in Florence, Alabama from 1940 until 1972 where he taught band, glee club, biology, American government and economics. In 1972 he organized the new Weeden Junior High School Band and was their director until his retirement in 1976. During Mr. McClure’s tenure at Coffee High School the band was consistently awarded Superior and Excellent ratings at State Competition. They performed frequently in Mardi Gras parades in Mobile and New Orleans; performed at the Lion’s International Convention in Miami, Florida and the Orange Bowl Parade on two occasions. He was a charter member of the Alabama Bandmasters Association in 1939 and was among those who were responsible for organizing the first All-State Bands (there were two bands then). He later served as Vice-President and then as President from 1947. He pushed through legislation to authorize an ABA State Band Contest and organized the first one in 1947. It was held at the University of Alabama with 17 bands participating. He also organized the first All-State Band and Choral Festival held at the University of Alabama in 1947. He was a charter member, President and Vice-President of the Alabama Music Educators Association. He is a past member of AEA, NEA, MENC, AMEA, and Phi Beta Mu and was a charter member of Gamma Delta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha. Mac, as he was known to his friends, played with the Huntsville Symphony, the Florence Civic Orchestra and the Florence Big Band. He had a large number of students who became band directors. Mr. McClure was Choir Director at the First Methodist Church in Florence and for 20 years was Choir Director at Trinity Episcopal Church. He organized and directed the Tri-Cities Oratorio Association which presented “Messiah”, Brahms’ “Requiem” and “Elijah”. He was President of the Florence Teachers Association and was Treasurer for 10 years. Mr. McClure was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1984. He died on December 3, 2005 leaving two daughters, Marilyn Camp of San Antonio, Texas and Jackie Williams of Prattville, Alabama; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A music educator since 1962, Dr. Frances Moss has taught band and choir in public schools, grades 1-12 and has taught at Calhoun Community College since 1966. At Calhoun, Dr. Moss has taught voice, piano, music theory, conducting and vocal ensembles, served as chairperson of the music department and initiated the Church Music Program. She founded the internationally known Chorale, Madrigal Singers and Alumni Musica. These ensembles were invited to perform nationally and internationally for professional events, took annual concert tours, performed for local, state, regional, Church and school groups, presented an annual Madrigal Dinner and performed for governors and presidents. The Alabama Honor Choir Festival, founded by Dr. Moss, was held at Calhoun Community College for 23 years. The event was conducted by nationally known clinicians and was a state-wide event for middle school choral students. In-service workshops, presented by Dr. Jack Platt, Aden Lewis, Dr. Joan Goree and other noted musicians, were provided for choral directors. During her tenure as president the “Choral Division” became the Alabama Vocal Association. The AVA instituted their first auditioned All-State Chorus, implemented required sight reading at both district and state choral festivals, gave the first medals to members of the All-State Chorus and established provision of certificates for choirs participating in Stat Competition Festivals. Dr. Moss edited the first AVA Handbook, wrote the Handbook for District Chairmen and the Handbook for Choral Adjudication. During her tenure as president of AMEA the first state convention was inaugurated bringing together all of the divisions for an in-service event. AMEA met at the Jefferson Davis Hotel in Montgomery. The event was staffed by music students from Calhoun Community College. The AMEA Handbook was developed, an official “logo” was designed for AMEA and the Ala Breve, the Former Music Educators Division and College Division were established and the Outstanding Music Educator Award was instituted. Dr. Moss also served as interim editor of the Ala Breve. She served many years as historian, preparing materials for state and divisional projects. She was also chairman of the Student Division. Dr. Moss served on the board of the Southern Division and served on several national committees including a task force to develop goals and objectives for the improvement of music education in the United States. She served on numerous committees of the Alabama Association of College Music Administrators, served as chairperson for music for the Alabama Community College Association and wrote that group’s position paper to the State Board of Education in regard to Revised Standards for Teacher Education in Alabama. Dr. Moss served as General Chairman for the Curriculum Guide Committee for Vocal/Choral/General Music for the State Department of Education. Degrees held include a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University, masters and doctorate from the University of Alabama and a doctorate from Covington Theological Seminary. Professional memberships include Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Delta Pi, Delta Omicron and MENC. Dr. Moss has been frequently honored and received many awards in recognition of her accomplishments as a music educator. Awards from Calhoun Community College include Outstanding Faculty Member Award, External Service to the Community Award and the Carlton Kelley Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Jack Platt endowed a music scholarship and Austinville United Methodist Church annually presents a music scholarship in her honor. AVA presented The Outstanding Service Award at the conclusion of her terms as president. Dr. Moss was awarded the inaugural Frances P. Moss Outstanding Choral Director Award by AVA. AMEA presented two Awards for Outstanding Service and has named her as an Outstanding Music Educator. Huntsville Choral Directors Association has presented her an Outstanding Service to Choral Music in Alabama Award. Dr. Moss received the national NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Texas in Austin. She received several awards and recognitions from Governor George Wallace for her work with the Alabama Honor Choir and her music achievements. Dr. Moss is a composer, author, pianist, conductor, clinician, piano/vocal/choral adjudicator and speaker. She has served as adjudicator for Delta Omicron International Triennial Composition Competition and for Alabama Federation of Music Clubs Chamber Music Composition Competition. In December, 1999, Dr. Moss retired from full-time teaching to serve as Minister of Music and Laity at Austinville United Methodist Church, Decatur, Alabama. She continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member at Calhoun Community College.
Dr. L. Gene Black has been a life member of MENC /AMEA since 1960 and has frequently served as a choral festival adjudicator, guest conductor and choral clinician across the country. He has received numerous honors, awards and holds membership in several professional societies. He is respected throughout the country and abroad as a music educator, conductor of the renowned Samford University A Cappella Choir, and currently as conductor of the A Cappella Alumni Choir. Dr. Black is widely recognized for his work in the area of a cappella choral music and has brought worldwide recognition to Alabama through the lasting and positive impressions his choirs have made across Europe and Asia in 27 international tours. Dr. Black holds the Bachelor’s Degree in music education from Samford University, and the Master of Arts, Educational Specialist and the Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. His career began as a choral teacher in secondary education until his return to Samford in 1965 as associate conductor of the A Cappella Choir. He was conductor of the choir 1967-1999. During his 35 year teaching tenure at Samford he was Professor of Music/Music Education, Director of Choral Activities, Associate Dean of the School of Music and Dean of the School of Music.
Gene Gooch was born on November 17, 1932 on the U.S. Corps of Engineers Reservation at Florence, Alabama. He was educated in Florence City Schools and graduated from Coffee High School in 1950. He began music study on alto saxophone in 1944 and began the study of bassoon in 1947. He studied bassoon privately with Mr. Pasquale Bria, who was band director in Cullman. He also studied alto saxophone and sousaphone under Mr. Floyd C. McClure, the band director at Coffee High School. He attended Murray State College in Kentucky after high school, but due to the outbreak of the Korean War, joined the U.S. Air Force after the first semester. He was a member of the Air University’s 604th Air Force Band at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery Alabama and the 584th Air Force Band at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton, Florida. In the Air Force he played bassoon in the concert band and saxophone in the dance band, and acted as drum major in the marching band. During these years he was a member of the Montgomery Symphony and an original member of the Pensacola Symphony. Upon discharge from the Air Force in January of 1955, he enrolled at the University of Alabama. He received the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education in August, 1957. He played bassoon in the Million Dollar Band, University Symphony and the University Woodwind Quintet and was drum major of the Million Dollar Band. He also played with the Birmingham Civic Opera orchestra. He was a member of The Capstoners Dance Band, playing alto saxophone. In August, 1960 he received the Master of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Alabama. In 1957 he became Band Director at Sheffield High School. In 1962 he became Band Director at Colbert County High School. He was appointed Band Director at Appleby Middle School in Florence in 1966. He was appointed Band Director at Coffee High School in 1972. The bands at Coffee High School consistently received Superior ratings at State Band Competitions and at other competitions. Each year there were students selected to participate in the All-State Band Festival. He retired from Coffee High School in 1986 but taught woodwinds at The University of North Alabama as an adjunct faculty member until 2001. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Alabama Music Educators Association from 1972 through 1978. In 1979 he became Secretary-Treasurer of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and remained in that position until his retirement from teaching in 1986. In 1991 he was asked to return to service as Executive Secretary of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and still is in that position. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity. He is a past-president of Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. He was the first undergraduate at the University of Alabama invited to become a member of Phi Delta Kappa, national education honorary. Other professional affiliations include Music Educators National Conference, Alabama Music Educators Association, National Education Association and Alabama Education Association. He is a member of the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame and the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band Association Hall of Fame. He has been married to Virginia Reed Gooch since 1953. They have two children. Gena Gooch Cape and daughters Lauren and Sarah Catherine live in Marietta, Georgia. Lauren is a student at The University of West Georgia and Sarah Catherine is a member of the Marietta High School Band. Gena is a member of the staff at Marietta High School and serves as president of the High School Band Parents Club. Michael Gooch and wife Angela reside in Boston, Massachusetts where Mike is employed by Saks Fifth Avenue and Angie is Head of the Voice Program at The Walnut Hill School for the Arts and performs with Opera Boston.
Hugh Thomas, who died in 2002 at age 90, was a choral music legend at Birmingham-Southern College for more than a half-century. Thomas began his long association with the college in 1936 and retired from the faculty in 1982. He became dean of the Conservatory of Music in 1947, was chairman of the Department of Music from 1964-72, and directed the Concert Choir from 1964-93. Dr. Neal R. Berte, former longtime BSC president, said Thomas’ legacy and influence stretched literally around the world. “Hugh Thomas graced the campus of Birmingham-Southern College for many years, and from there his work extended around the world,” said Berte, a friend and colleague of Thomas for nearly 30 years. “Hugh’s enthusiasm for teaching, as well as his consummate artistry, was the catalyst that brought out the best in everyone who performed under his direction or learned from him in a piano studio. It is overwhelming to think of the tremendous legacy and continuing influence Hugh Thomas’ life will have for all who knew him.” Dr. Lester Seigel, Birmingham-Southern’s Joseph Hugh Thomas Professor of Music, said that Thomas, known to friends and colleagues as “H.T.,” will be remembered not only as a musician and composer, but also for his relationship with his students. “Hugh Thomas was the consummate artist-teacher,” said Seigel, a 1979 Birmingham-Southern graduate who studied under Thomas. “Students at Birmingham-Southern were not only inspired by his passion and insight, but by his tremendous industry in rehearsing the BSC Concert Choir, and in working with piano students and young conductors. He taught them that excellence comes not only from knowledge and talent, but from developing one’s technique through hours of practice and study. Yet his teaching was much more than this; he taught by example, as a role model and mentor to his students. “His sense of humor was legendary. He also could be tough, but it was almost always with a gleam in his eye, underscored by real caring. His concept of learning embodied not only music, but philosophy, literature, art, and drama. H.T. knew that true wisdom came from embracing a wide range of disciplines, and making the connections--the true goal of a well-educated human being.” Thomas received his bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern in 1933 and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Birmingham Conservatory of Music. He studied piano with Dorsey Whittington and conducting with Robert Shaw. He also studied analysis with Julius Hereford at the Berkshire Music Center in Lenox, Mass. In 1951, he made his professional debut as a conductor of the Hugh Thomas Chorus at Town Hall in New York. He also was a piano soloist with Andre Kostelanetz. An administrator at the BSC Conservatory of Music from 1947-72, he returned to full-time teaching in 1972 and retired from the faculty in 1982. He continued to direct the college's concert choir until 1993. Birmingham-Southern choirs directed by Thomas performed at Carnegie Hall and toured Europe. His BSC Concert Choir was selected in 1978 to perform at the meeting of American Choral Directors Association, an organization that honored him for his lifetime contribution to choral music. In 1988, he was named Outstanding Music Educator in Alabama. In 1993, he was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. National Public Radio profiled Thomas in 1995. Thomas received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Birmingham-Southern in 1981 and the college's Medal of Service in 1992. In addition to his tenure at Birmingham-Southern, Thomas directed the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for 20 years, along with the Canterbury United Methodist Church choir, the Birmingham Civic Chorus, the Birmingham Symphony Chorus, the Hugh Thomas Chorus, and the Indian Springs School Choir. He also served as music critic for the Birmingham Post-Herald. The Barbara and Hugh Thomas Scholarship was created at BSC in 1998 to honor Professor Emeritus of Music Thomas and his wife, Barbara Dorough Thomas, a 1937 BSC graduate and prominent Birmingham musician and teacher, who died in 2001 at age 84. The Hugh and Barbara Thomas Master Class Series, established in their honor by alumna Beverly Hosokawa and her husband, David, brings four master artist to campus each year in the areas of instrumental performance, vocal performance, piano performance, and composition.
Dr. James Simpson, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, received his Doctor of Arts and Master of Music Degrees from the University of Mississippi and his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Earlier in his teaching career, Simpson served as Band Director in Union, Mississippi and Canton, Mississippi. During his tenure, the Canton High School Band received outstanding ratings at the Mississippi State Band Festival and won the first annual Six Flags Over Georgia Concert Competition (AAA Division) in 1969. While in Mississippi, Simpson performed in the Hattiesburg, Tupelo, Meridian, and Jackson Symphony Orchestras. He was a featured soloist with the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra and the University of Mississippi Concert Band. For two years, he served as Concert Director of the Mississippi Lions All State Band. Since joining the music faculty at UNA in 1973 as Assistant Band Director and Woodwind Instructor, Simpson has performed as featured soloist with the UNA Concert and Jazz Bands, the UNA Invitational Honor Band, and several regional high school bands. He is a charter member of the Shoals Area “Big Band” and has played lead alto saxophone and clarinet with the band for twenty-eight years. Under his leadership, the University Of North Alabama Department of Music became an accredited member of the prestigious National Association of Schools of Music in 1986. From 1994 to 1996, Simpson served as President of the Alabama Music Educators Association. He has also served as State President of Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and President of the Association of Alabama College Music Administrators. Simpson was listed in Who’s Who Among American Teachers (2004), Outstanding Young Men of America (1977), International Who’s Who in Music and Musician’s Directory (1975) and Outstanding Educators of America (1975). He received the Shoals Area Band Director’s Association Service Award (2003) and a UNA Education Leadership Award (2000). Dr. Simpson is a member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Beta Mu (International Bandmasters Fraternity), Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Simpson retired in August of 2007 after thirty-four years of service to the University of North Alabama. He served as Chair of the Department of Music for the past thirty-three years. Recently, he was honored in being selected as clarinet soloist to perform as part of the Distinguished Events Series at the University of North Alabama in January 2008.
Dr. John M. Long is Dean of the School of Fine Arts, Director of Bands and Distinguished Professor of Music Emeritus at Troy University. He is Past President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and is active as a guest conductor, speaker, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and Mexico. Dr. Long has received many National and State Awards, including election to the NBA Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors, the AWAPA Award from the NBA, the Distinguished Service to Music Medal from Kappa Kappa Psi, the Gold Medal from the Sousa Foundation, the Governor’s Award from the Alabama Council of the Arts, the Outstanding Music Educator of the Year Award from the AMEA, the Barbara Odom Award from the AMEA, the Al Wright Award from the WBDNA and was elected to the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame by the Phi Beta Mu. Dr. Long has served 24 years on the Alabama Historic Commission, Past President of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Troy University has two buildings named for him and in 1998 the Board of Trustees renamed the school of music the John M. Long School of Music in his honor.
Johnny Jacobs was employed by the Jefferson County School System as a music educator for thirty-six years, from September, 1964 through August, 2000. His notable appointments were Dixie Junior High School, Minor High School, Berry High School, and thirteen years as Supervisor of Bands. Dr. Jacobs received the Doctor of Education degree from the University of Alabama in 1985, The Advanced Certificate in Music Education from the University of Illinois in 1975, the Master of Arts degree from the University of Alabama in 1968, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Birmingham-Southern College in 1965. Dr. Jacobs served as president of the Alabama Bandmasters Association from 1977-1979 and as president of the Alabama Music Educators Association from 1984-1986. He was inducted into Phi Beta Mu Rho Chapter’s Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1997. His bands were successful and respected, receiving numerous superior ratings and “best in class” awards during his twenty-three years in the classroom. As an outgrowth of his doctoral dissertation, Dr. Jacobs published “Supplementary Material for Beginning Band, Fifteen Settings for Beginning Band and Pre-recorded Electronic Synthesizer”. This work, named “The Johnny Book” by the students and directors who use it, is currently used with significant success in several Birmingham area middle schools. Concurrently with his work in public education, Dr. Jacobs remained an active performer and teacher of trumpet. He played several years as principal trumpet with the Alabama Pops Orchestra, the Birmingham Symphony Pops Orchestra and as second trumpet with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, forerunner of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. He taught trumpet at Birmingham-Southern College for thirty years and at Samford University for eleven years. After retiring from the Jefferson County Schools, Dr. Jacobs taught music education and trumpet for two years at the University of Alabama Birmingham. During subsequent years to the present he has assisted daily in band programs in the Birmingham area and maintained a private studio at Art’s Music Shop. He is affiliated as a conductor with the Birmingham Community Concert Band and plays principal trumpet with Celebration Winds. Dr. Jacobs now lives in a rural area near Warrior, Alabama. He is a deacon at First Baptist Church Warrior and also serves as Director of Discipleship Training. He and his wife Carol have five children and three grandchildren.
Lacey Powell is retired Professor of Music at the University of South Alabama and Executive Director for the Alabama Music Educators Association. He served as president of Alabama Music Educators Association for two terms, Alabama Bandmasters Association, and the Rho chapter (Alabama) of the Phi Beta Mu, national honorary bandmasters fraternity. In addition, he was state chairman of the College Band Directors Association and the American School Band Directors Association. He also served as a member of the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education Board and was recently named Director Emeritus. Powell has been honored with induction in the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame (1995); Distinguished Alumnus of the Year (1993), Outstanding Music Educator (1992), Troy University; AMEA Outstanding Music Educator (1993); and Outstanding Educator of America (1971). Dr. Powell, a former chairman of the editorial board of ala breve, official publication of the Alabama Music Educators Association, has published articles in the ala breve, The Instrumentalist, Music Educators Journal, and School Musician-Director. Professor Powell received his bachelor’s degree from Troy State University, master’s from VanderCook College of Music, and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama, with additional study at Northwestern University. As an active clinician, Dr. Powell has conducted all-state and regional honor bands in numerous states and has appeared as adjudicator, consultant, clinician and speaker. He was a member of the 43rd Division Army Band during the Korean Conflict, the Mobile Symphony for seven seasons and a charter member of the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band. He served on the board of directors for the Symphony Concerts of Mobile. During his career at Georgiana High School, Andalusia High School and Davidson High School, his bands at state contest were awarded only superior ratings. He was appointed the first director of bands at the University of South Alabama in 1965. Prior to joining the University faculty, he was supervisor of music for the Mobile County Public School. As part of the bicentennial celebration, Dr. Powell was director of the “Marching 200,” the official Alabama bicentennial marching band, which performed on three national telecasts. Memberships include Music Educators National Conference, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha.
Orland Thomas earned his B.S (1955) and his M.A. (1958) from the University of Alabama and took advanced graduate work at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a 1950 graduate of Holt High School in Tuscaloosa County. He taught at Holt High School for nine years before moving to Mobile for a five-year stint at Davidson High School. He next assumed the position of Music Supervisor for the Mobile County Public School System, a job he held for the following 21 years. In this position, he was responsible for 32 school music programs. During this supervisory period Thomas also taught part-time at the University of South Alabama (14 years), Mobile College (7 years), and conducted the Mobile Student Symphony (15 years). He was chair of the Alabama Bandmasters Association (1967-68), was on the Mobile Arts Council Board of Directors, served on the board and was chairman (1987-88) of the University of Alabama Society for the Fine Arts, played trombone in the Mobile Symphony, the Mobile Opera Orchestra, and the City of Mobile Symphonic/Pops Band, was a mobile Jazz Festival Board member, and was Choir Director at St. Marks and Springhill Avenue United Methodist Churches. In 1983, Thomas was honored as the University of Alabama Music Department’s first Alumni Achievement Award recipient. He retains affiliation with the Music Educators National Conference (50 years), the National Band Association, and the American School Band Directors Association. He continues to serve as a district band festival adjudicator, honor band festival conductor and solo and ensemble judge. Thomas is now retired and resides in Mobile, where he continues to participate in various church and community music activities.
Dr. Thomas R. Smith, Professor Emeritus of Music at Auburn University, retired as Chair of the Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Auburn University in 2006. After receiving the Bachelor of Music from Samford University, the Master of Arts in Music Theory from the University of Iowa, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado; Dr. Smith came to Auburn University in 1972, where he taught choral music-related courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Smith also founded and conducted the Auburn University Singers and conducted the Concert Choir. He conducted two concerts in Carnegie Hall in New York City and has conducted eight European concert tours with the Auburn University Concert Choir and University Singers. Under his direction, the Auburn University Singers and Concert Choir have performed at four Southern Division Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2005, the Auburn University Singers performed for the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Los Angeles. Before coming to Auburn, Dr. Smith was Choral Director at Fairfield High School and Vocal Music Supervisor for the Fairfield City Schools, Fairfield, Alabama. In 1998, Dr. Smith received the Frances P. Moss Choral Directors Award from the Alabama Vocal Association and was recently presented the Paul Steward Service Award in recognition of his work in the Music Ministry. As an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, Dr. Smith served as Southern Division president and has served as Program Chair for two divisional and four national conventions for the organization. Dr. Smith continues to serve as Minister of Music at Providence Baptist Church in Opelika, a position that he has held for the past 33 years. He also is conductor of the Alabama Singing Men.
G. Truman Welch has served as Vice-President and President of the Alabama Bandmasters Association, President and Vice-President of the Alabama Music Educators Association, and served one term on the governing board of the National Band Association. He has served as President of the Alabama chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Welch has taught woodwinds at Auburn and Alabama music camps, and at Auburn University and Huntington College. He has played professionally for years in both symphonies and dance bands and was a member of the board of directors of the Montgomery Symphony for several years. Mr. Welch was presented the Birmingham News Post Herald Award for 25 years of outstanding service to the youth of Alabama in 1967. He also was awarded the order of the “Silver Horn” in 1970 by the First Chair of America for outstanding achievement in the field of school music. The “Silver Horn” is awarded only to those whose accomplishments in the field of music are of the highest national standards. During World War II, Welch was director of the 13th Air Force Show Band. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu, National Band Association, American School Band Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, College Band Directors National Association, and the Alabama Music Educators Association. Mr. Welch organized the Elmore County High School Band of Wetumpka and Eclectic, Alabama. He directed this band for 26 years. During this time, the Elmore County Band was a consistent winner at state contests and first place winner of the Virginia Beach Festival. The band was also selected to play at the Midwest National Clinic in Chicago in 1965, the All-South Clinic at Jekyl Island, Georgia, in 1969, the Lion’s International in New York in 1959, in Chicago in 1960, and the Southern Division of MENC in Mobile in 1969. Mr. Welch and Edd Jones originated and organized the Studio Lab Band movement. He also organized the first annual Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic, which was held at Troy State University in January of 1974. He served as Executive Secretary of this organization. Mr. Welch is presently the flute clinician for Yamaha Musical Instrument Company throughout the Southeast, and is in great demand as guest conductor and clinician throughout the country. He served as Woodwind Instructor at Troy State University, and was the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Coordinator of Instrumental Music. He was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1978. He was elected mayor of Wetumpka in July 1980. Mr. Welch was the originator of the very popular Flute-A-Rama series. At present, Mr. Welch has his own clinician service, woodwind studio, and is Retired Director of the 68 piece Montgomery Civic Band. He is in great demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, piccolo, flute, and saxophone clinician.
Johnnie Vinson is Director of Bands and Professor of Music Emeritus at Auburn University. He received the Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees in Music Education from Auburn, and the Doctor of Arts degree in Music Theory from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Vinson retired from Auburn University in June, 2007, after a 36-year career with the Auburn Bands. Prior to joining the Auburn faculty, he taught in the public schools of Columbus, Georgia, and worked as a Graduate Assistant with the bands at the University of Texas and University of Mississippi. At Auburn, he supervised the overall band program, conducted the Symphonic Band, and taught conducting and band arranging. He was also faculty sponsor to Auburn's Theta Lambda Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. With over 360 published works, Dr. Vinson is a widely recognized arranger/composer of music for band, writing primarily for the Hal Leonard Corporation. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States. Dr. Vinson is active professionally as a member and officer in a number of organizations. He is a Past President of the Alabama Music Educators Association, former National Vice President for Professional Relations for Tau Beta Sigma, and has served as Alabama State Chair of the College Band Directors National Association. He is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Band Association and is a Past President of Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. In addition, he is a member of Music Educators National Conference, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, and ASCAP. Dr. Vinson was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 1994, and has twice served as a member of its Board of Directors. He has been presented the Distinguished Service to Music Medal by Kappa Kappa Psi and the Citation of Excellence by the National Band Association. In January, 1998, he was elected to the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
A graduate of the Horner Institute of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Music, William Levi Dawson later studied at the Chicago Musical College with professor Felix Borowski, and then at the American Conservatory of Music where he received his masters degree. Early in his career he served as a trombonist both with the Redpath Chautauqua and the Chicago Civic Symphony Orchestra. His teaching career began in the Kansas City public school system, which was later followed by a tenure with the Tuskegee Institute from 1931–1956. During this period, it was he who appointed a large number of faculty members that later became well known for their work in the field. Additionally, Dawson also developed the choir, the Tuskegee Institute Choir, into an internationally renowned ensemble; they were invited to sing at New York City's Radio City Music Hall in 1932 for a week of six daily performances. As a composer, Dawson began at a young age, and it was early on in his compositional career that his Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano was performed by the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. Besides chamber music, he is also known for his contributions to both orchestral and choral literature. His best known works are arrangements and variations on spirituals; his Negro Folk Symphony of 1934 garnered a great deal of attention at its' world premier, under the direction of Leopold Stokowski with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The symphony was later revised in 1952 with greater African rhythms inspired by the composer’s trip to West Africa. The composition was - the composer conveyed - an attempt to convey the missing elements that were lost when Africans came into bondage outside of their homeland. In creating this work, Dawson was influenced by the nationalistic views of Dvorˇák. Widely performed, his most popular spirituals include Jesus Walked the Lonesome Valley, Talk about a Child That Do Love Jesus and King Jesus Is a-Listening.
Dr. William R. Denison came to Troy University in the fall of 1967. A native of Michigan, he received Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Michigan and completed the Ph.D at Florida State University in 1969. Since retiring in June 2005 from administrative duties as Director of the School of Music, he continues to teach piano and organ part time. From 1971-1998 he was director of the Collegiate Singers and conducted annual winter performances of major choral works for over 25 years. Dr. Denison also conducted many productions of the opera workshop and musical theatre at Troy University, ranging from grand operas such as Rigoletto and Faust to Broadway standards like Oklahoma and My Fair Lady. He remains active with Collegiate Singers as conductor emeritus and as organist and director of music at St. Marks Episcopal and First Presbyterian Churches in Troy. He acts as a liaison between Troy University and Troy Arts Council and has secured a number of grants to assist in the presentation of guest artists and major productions on campus. He is married to Jane Denison and has two sons, Joey and Rae, both TSU graduates, and five grandchildren.
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