Wilbur “Bodie” Hinton was Director of Bands at Auburn University from 1956-1969 and served as head of the Auburn University Department of Music from 1969-1984. He served as band director at Tuscaloosa Jr. High, and then, Tuscaloosa High School, before beginning his tenure at Auburn.
Dr. Hinton’s professional memberships include Phi Beta Mu, The American Bandmasters Association, the Alabama Music Educators Association, MENC, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa. He is a past president of the Alabama Bandmasters Association.
In 1986, the band practice field at Auburn University was dedicated the “Wilbur ‘Bodie’ Hinton Field” in his honor. Dr. Hinton was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame in 1976.
Lacey Powell was the first band director at the University of South Alabama, appointed in 1965. He later served as Executive Director for the Alabama Music Educators Association. Dr. Powell received his bachelor’s from Troy State University, master’s from VanderCook College of Music (Chicago), and PhD from the University of Alabama, with additional study at Northwestern University.
G. Truman Welch organized the Elmore County High School Band, combining students from Wetumpka and Eclectic. He directed this band for 26 years. The Elmore County Band was consistently rated Superior at the Alabama Bandmasters Association State Competition Festival and first place winner of the Virginia Beach Festival. The band was selected to play at the Midwest Clinic (Chicago) in 1965, the All-South Clinic at Jekyl Island (Georgia) in 1969, the Lion’s International in 1959 (New York, and 1960 (Chicago), and the Southern Division of MENC (Mobile) in 1969.
Jerry
Floyd C. McClure was the long-time band director at Coffe High School in Florence. 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. He pushed through legislation to authorize an ABA-sanctioned state band contest and organized the first one in 1947. He also organized the first All-State Band and Choral Festival held at the University of Alabama in 1947.
Dr. Frances Moss taught at Calhoun Community College from 1962 until her retirement in 1999. She received her bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State College and her master’s and doctorate from the University of Alabama. She also holds a doctorate from Covington Theological Seminary. Dr. Moss taught band and choir in public schools from grades 1-12. At Calhoun, she 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 Alabama Honor Choir Festival, which was held at Calhoun Community College for 23 years.
George
Sebastian Joseph “Chick” Allen was born on July 19, 1938 in Bessemer and died July 7, 2008. He was a long-time choir director at Hueytown High School.
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Paul Hall served as chairman of Samford University’s Music Department from 1970 until his retirement in 1995. In addition, he served as Associate Dean for Music Graduate Studies from 1982-1995.In 1974, Dr. Hall was the recipient of Samford’s John H. Buchanan Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching. In the same year, he and his wife were elected Danforth Associates. For 20 years, he was conductor of the Alabama Singing Men, a men’s chorus composed of Baptist Ministers of Music in Alabama. For 10 years, he conducted the Samford Community Choir. In 1991, Dr. Hall’s, Dr. Hall’s colleagues elected him President of the Samford University faculty.
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