NOVEMBER 1, 2023 www.wintertexantimes.com 2 WINTER TEXAN TIMES (956)566-1157 dedicated members and a supportive McAllen and Rio Grande Valley community. A McAllen businessman, Bill Wilson, was impressed by the energetic presence of concert bands which he had observed in many Mexican plazas. The thought of Archer Park in McAllen being unused inspired the idea to form a community band. With the support of band directors and the business community, and inaugural Music Director, Paul Garrett, the group began the McAllen Town Band. In November 1973, the Town Band had its first rehearsal in the McAllen High School Band Hall. A small number of band directors, students, and local businessmen faithfully prepared for the first concert in Archer Park on March 31, 1974. Later that year, the Band had its first 50 YEARS From pg. 1 Fourth of July concert, which has remained a tradition ever since. Currently, the organization has about 75 musicians from across the region ranging in age and professional background. Out of a love of music and a desire to improve the cultural offerings available in the community, they volunteer their time to rehearse once a week for their performances. The season typically starts in November with a patriotic themed concert that also includes other music. This year’s first concert will be held on Tuesday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. The concert is entitled Red, White and Blues and combines their annual Veterans Day patriotic music commemoration with some jazzy, toe-tapping tunes. The concert will present three featured artists, Jan Christine Pacis-Rama will be the guest piano soloist on a band arrangement of Geoge Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Two band members will also be featured soloists: Dr. Ben Coy on trombone for the Blue Bells of Scotland and Laura Benavides on alto saxophone for Harlem Nocturne. Other pieces include a service medley and the theme to Band of Brothers. The organization gets a lot of assistance from their music committee. Their music committee comes up with a theme for their second and third concerts. Then their committee chooses some songs, and it becomes a group effort in choosing the music for each concert. They often choose over a dozen songs before dwindling it down to what gets played at a concert. They rank the songs and go by what gets the most votes. They might have picked about 15 songs and usually get down to about ten that they rehearse to play. The librarian, Elizabeth, tallies the votes and gives the music rankings and music to the director. Roger said he reviews them and tries to keep things in order by what they were ranked. Roy Contreras, board president, physician assistant, player, andmember of the music committee said a lot of effort goes into the choices for the music. They really come together to try and make the best choices for each show. They don’t do much for the first two shows because the patriotic and Christmas concerts kind of choose the music for themselves. All the players and committee members are volunteers, said Roy. The only paid people are the conductor and the librarian. Members must tryout, and it’s up to the first chair and conductor on whether they will play with the ensemble. Players range from high school age to their 80’s. One member has been with the group for about 40 years, maybe even longer. Winter Texans also play with the group. Jon Stevens, who takes care of their publicity and is a member of the ensemble, said it’s an interesting group of people, because you have members that are going to STC taking classes still trying to figure out the next phase in their life and they love music, to retired band directors that have been retired for 20 years or more. “The span of experience,” said Jon is amazing. Roy added he played in the drum and bugle corps in the navy. Before that he played in junior high and high school. He just started playing his horn again in the last ten years, taking about two years to get his ‘lip’ back. “We have old musicians like myself,” said Roy. “We come from all walks of life. We just have a love of music. Some play until they just can’t anymore.” One gentleman was a member until just a few years before he passed away – Art Ratley. A scholarship was made in his name. He McAllen Wind Ensemble practices for their upcoming concert. Photo by Carina Brunson
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