It’s not often I have firsthand knowledge of items on your editorial page, but the photo of the 1951 Pep Band ("Dear North Texan," spring 2012) spoke to me!
As a former "director" (read: "referee") of a similar group in 1953 — when I was asked to extend my postgraduate work an extra semester as assistant to Maurice McAdow — I recognize some of the names that preceded me.
Jack Rumbley (’51, ’52 M.M.Ed.) was the artist/teacher of choice in the Dallas area and the house drummer for Fort Worth’s Casa Mañana theatre, often hosting his lovely wife and actress. Manuel De La Rosa (’53, ’55 M.M.Ed.) established a career in Grand Saline as the much respected band director. He sat in the same euphonium section as Lida Oliver (’56), who became Mrs. Rule Beasley. Rule was (much later) a North Texas faculty member, and his father owned Beasley Music Store in Texarkana, where I found (much earlier) an attractive bookkeeper, Nelda Routon (’53), to be my wife!
Harold Gore (’52) is, of course, a household name in Denton and music publishing. He gained well-earned respect for editing and republishing several John Philip Sousa marches. Jervis Underwood (’55, ’70 Ph.D.) played flute in Mr. McAdow’s concert band, where I sat in the trombone section. His career and contributions to performance and education fill pages.
Perhaps it was Ivan Goodwin (’52, ’54 M.M.Ed.) with whom I maintained the longest continuous friendship until I left Texas. His career as band director in Ennis is legendary.
Yes, the trail of that little Pep Band made quite an impact on music in our country.
Eldon Janzen (’54 M.M.Ed.),
Director of Bands Emeritus,
University of Arkansas