fall 2004 newletter layout.qxp - Trinity Valley Community College

THE VALLEYHCJC/TVCC’s Musical HeritageTVCC to honor former music students at homecomingHCJC changed music instructors often.The longest serving director in the 1950swas Paul Cox, who served as director from1952 to 1956, when Shew returned as aninterim instructor.Under Cox, the band altered its militarystyleuniforms to a more “Texas” look,complete with cowboy hats and bolo ties.In 1972, Tommy Downing was the banddirector, and Cardinals fans were treated toa new form of entertainment at halftime –Cardinals and Company. This 150-membergroup of Cardinal Singers, CardinalBand and Cardettes performed twice onnational television. The group also performedat Mardi Gras in 1973.Music was a part of Henderson CountyJunior College from the beginning, but ittook several years for the deparment todevelop into anything similar to the robustband and choral programs TVCC enjoystoday.This year, TVCC is honoring its proudmusical tradition and inviting all formerchoir and band members to a reception intheir honor during the homecoming celebrationSaturday, Oct. 23 (see back coverfor schedule).In 1946, HCJC offered music theory and aone-hour credit for choral music. BenShew, who divided his time between thecollege and Athens schools, was the firstmusic instructor and founded the ChoralClub.By 1949 Shew had rounded up a 10-memberband, but resigned from his post at thecollege in 1950. Over the next few years,In 1957, Edwin Hart took over the programand the students had a new band hallin which to rehearse. It was one of fournew buildings erected that year. New girlsand boys dorms and the EngineeringBuilding also now graced the campuslandscape.The Choral Club became a full-fledgedcollege program – the Cardinal Choir in1964. The band in 1964 was a well-traveledgroup, performing in Palestine, Wacoand Dallas, as well as at Mardis Gras inNew Orleans.Through ‘64, one instructor directed bothband and choir, but in 1965 directorRobert Cody got a helping hand fromassistant Charles Herring who directed thenewly formed Wild Cards Stage Band andHCJC Combo. The choir presented its firstmusical production Down in the Valley.1965 was also the year the band, now 75members strong, received national recognition,performing at halftime for the televised20th Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena,California. The band made a return trip toPasadena in 1966 for the Junior RoseBowl, and performed at a televisedHouston Oilers’ game.In 1968 Don Turner took over as banddirector, and for the first time, choir had itsown director in Hubert Wilbur.Although Cardinals and Company disbandedafter 1973, the modern structurefor the music department was set, and thegroups have continued to entertain audiencesat home, around the state and aroundthe nation as the music programs continuesto grow.Under current band director WillFairbanks, the band presents innovativeand entertaining shows and offers studentsopportunities to perform not only with theCardinal Band, but in a jazz ensemble,Dixieland Combo, or brass, wind and percussionensembles.The choir program, now under the directionof Dr. Byron McGilvray, includes 60members in the Cardinal Choir, ChamberSingers and the vocal jazz ensemble,Encore 2004. Encore traveled this summerto California, where they were featured inperformances in and around SanFrancisco.Band and Choir Reunion, 10 a.m. Saturday,Oct. 23, 2004. Call 903-670-2620 or e-maildhubbard@tvcc.edu for reservations.3