Bands Popular With Ballinger Folk (Randy’s note: This picture was from the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech. There was no notations about it. I found a wonderful article in the Abilene Reporter from 1971 that gives some insight. I’m fascinated that Ballinger at one time had a professional band, a professional baseball team, and an opera house. If anyone has any family recollections on these bands, please post it!) Ballinger people have loved a band since 1897. That year a town band was formed. It sounded good and it continued as a unit for a number of years. It was in constant demand for picnics, reunions and other celebrations. The first school band was formed back in 1909 when a high school principal, J.H. Head, organized a group. It was different from today with students furnishing their instruments, their music and practice was done on their time after school. This band made good progress and within a short time was making public appearances. Harry Lynn and Delbert Vancil are the only ones of that band who still live here. The band was discontinued for a few years until Joe T. Ward came to Ballinger and organized a municipal band. Merchants paid monthly band dues to provide a hall and pay the director. All musicians were recruited and a number of beginners started. In a short time this band was popular over West Texas. A band stand was built on the courthouse lawn and weekly concerts held. The band was the first to use a vocalist with its programs. This band played many paid jobs in West Texas and one year was at Texas Cotton Palace in Waco. Ward made his home in Ballinger up to his death several years ago. The next band was under the direction of Homer Carsey, a musician who had professional experience with Ringling Bros. Circus and a number of road shows. After handling the town band for several years he became instructor of the high school group and they played for football games and other school programs. In the early ‘40’s came the start of band music in high school and since that time the Bearcat Band has been one of the largest and best in this section of the state. Directors in order include Gurthal Gilligan, O.G. Joiner, M.T. Camp, Gary DeShazo, William Postlethwaite, and the present director, J. Weldon Moore.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:57:37 +0000
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