2020 – David Raney

May 31 2022

David B. Raney grew up in Athens, Alabama and received his bachelor’s in music education from the University of North Alabama. He served as the Band Director at Buckhorn High School from 1998-2010 and as the Director of Bands at Sparkman High School from 2010-2022. During his tenure at Sparkman the band established two marching bands, three concert bands, two indoor winter guard units and a WGI world class indoor percussion ensemble. The Sparkman Competition Band won numerous grand championships throughout the southeast and achieved multiple finalists positions in regional Bands of America competitions. All Wind Ensembles, Symphonic Bands and Concert Bands received superior ratings every year during Mr. Raney’s time at Sparkman.

Mr. Raney served on the ABA Music Selection Committee, ABA District 1 Chairman and was instrumental in developing the initial ABA website (abafest) that implemented registrations, information and communications within the organization to an online platform.

Mr. Raney is a member of the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity and the American School Band Directors Association. In 2014-2015 he was the recipient of the Outstanding Bandmaster Award.

2018 – Gregory Gumina

May 28 2020

Gregory L. Gumina is Assistant Band Director at Shades Valley High School, a position he has held for since 1997. He conducts the Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble. He teaches Music Theory & Composition and Music Industry & Technology. Mr. Gumina is also Music Arranger and Marching Band Coordinator for the school.

Mr. Gumina earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from West Virginia University with a Minor in Business Administration. He earned a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Alabama. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D in Global Leadership with a specialty in Educational Leadership and Administration at Troy University. He was a graduate assistant in the University Bands Department UA and was the Arranger/Instructor for the percussion section of the Million Dollar Band. Mr. Gumina is the former Director of Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps from Mobile, Alabama.

Mr. Gumina’s ensembles have performed at the 2001 NASPAAM International Convention, the 2006 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference, the 2011 Music for All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival, the 2013 Southeastern United States Band Festival, the 2013 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference, and more than 10 Percussive Arts Society Days of Percussion throughout the Southeast.

Mr. Gumina has extensive experience as an adjudicator and clinician for bands and percussion groups. He is also an active composer and arranger. He has published over 40 compositions and arrangements. His works have been performed by bands and ensembles from middle school through college. His compositions for both middle school band and percussion ensemble have been premiered at Professional Conferences on 5 occasions.

Mr. Gumina served as President of the Alabama Music Educators Association (2018-2020), and is currently the Immediate Past-President. Mr. Gumina has served on the Arts Advisory Board and the Curriculum Writing Committee for the Jefferson County School System, and is a Nation Board Certified Teacher. Mr. Gumina is a member of AMEA, ABA, NAfME, NBA, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. He was inducted into the International School Bandmasters Fraternity Phi Beta Mu in 2019.

Greg resides in Trussville with his wife Gina and their daughter Giada, and he is an avid HO scale model railroader in his spare time.

2016 – Susan Smith

Aug 3 2018

Susan L. Smith is a Lecturer of Music at Troy University. She teaches music education courses, applied horn, and supervises student interns. Mrs. Smith received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from James Madison University and a Masters Degree in Education from Troy University.

Mrs. Smith taught for 17 years in the Virginia, Florida and Alabama Schools. She is currently an Educational Consultant for Music for All. She is an published curriculum author and editor and has presented clinics at multiple conventions including FMEA, IMEA, GMEA, AMEA, Midwest Clinic and regional and national NAfME conferences. Professional Affiliations include NAfME, AMEA, ABA, SAI, and Honorary TBS.

 

2014 – Carl Hancock

Jul 11 2016

carlbhancockCarl B. Hancock is Professor of Instrumental Music Education at the University of Alabama. He received his Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music Education, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Florida State University.

Prior to his 2005 appointment at UA, Carl served as an assistant professor of music education at the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ; 2002-05), graduate assistant with the University Bands and Center for Music Research at Florida State University (1998-02), director of bands at Sebstian River High School (Sebastian, FL;1994-98), music supervisor for North Indian River County Schools (Vero Beach, FL;1994-98), and band and choir director at Santa Fe High School (Alachua, FL; 1992-94).

His service to Alabama’s music educators includes terms as State Collegiate Advisor (2008-10), State Research Chair (2010-12), President-Elect (2012-14), President (2014-2016), Immediate-Past President (2016-2018), and Media Specialist (2016-current). In 2011, Carl was commissioned by the AMEA to conduct the first state-wide Alabama Music Teacher Census.

Nationally, Carl served on the editorial board of the Journal of Research in Music Education (2010-16) and as National Chair of the Learning and Development, Special Research Interest Group (2008-2010), and the Affective Response, Special Research Interest Group (2004-2006), for the Society for Research in Music Education. He also served on the Southern Board of the College Music Society (2010-12).

As a researcher, Dr. Hancock investigates issues concerning teacher preparation, band pedagogy, professional development, research dissemination, teacher attrition, and the national supply and demand of music teachers. He has published articles in the Journal of Teacher Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Band Research, Arts in Education Policy Review, and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. He has also presented at numerous state, regional, national, and international symposia including The Midwest Clinic, the Music Research and Teacher Education National Conference (NAfME), the National Conference of the American Educational Research Association, the Music Educators National Conference,  the College Music Society National Conference, and the International Symposium on Research in Music Behavior.

Carl Hancock is a member of The National Association for Music Education, the Society for Research in Music Education, the Alabama Music Educators Association, and the American Educational Research Association.

1975 – Frances P. Moss

Jul 11 2016

Frances P. MossDr. 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.

The Alabama Vocal Association acquired its name while Dr. Moss was its president. During that time, the AVA instituted its first auditioned All-State Chorus, implemented required sight reading at both district and state choral festivals, gave the first medals to members of the All-State Chorus and established provision of certificates for choirs participating in state competition festivals. Dr. Moss edited the first AVA handbook, and wrote the handbooks for district chairmen and choral adjudication. During her tenure as president of AMEA, the first state convention was inaugurated. Dr. Moss served as interim editor of the Ala Breve. She served many years as historian, preparing materials for state and divisional projects. Dr. Moss served on the board of the Southern Division and on several national committees, including a task force to develop goals and objectives for the improvement of music education in the United States.

Professional memberships include Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Delta Pi, Delta Omicron and MENC. Awards from Calhoun Community College include Outstanding Faculty Member Award, External Service to the Community Award, and the Carlton Kelley Teaching Excellence Award. Austinville United Methodist Church annually presents a music scholarship in her honor. The AVA annual “Frances P. Moss Outstanding Choral Director Award” is given in her honor. In 1999, Dr. Moss retired from full-time teaching to serve as Minister of Music and Laity at Austinville United Methodist Church (Decatur).

1982 – Lacey Powell, Jr.

Jul 11 2016

Lacey Powell, Jr.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.

Dr. Powell was a member of the 43rd Division Army Band during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Mobile Symphony for seven seasons and a charter member of the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band. During his career at Georgiana High School, Andalusia High School, and Davidson High School, Dr. Powell’s bands received only Superior ratings at the Alabama Bandmasters Association State Competition Festival. Before joining the faculty at the University of South Alabama, he was Supervisor of Music for the Mobile County Public Schools. As part of the bicentennial celebration, Dr. Powell was director of the “Marching 200,” the official Alabama bicentennial marching band, which performed on three national telecasts.

Dr. Powell has been honored with induction in the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame (1995), Troy State University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year (1993), Troy State University Outstanding Music Educator (1992), AMEA Outstanding Music Educator (1993), and Outstanding Educator of America (1971) and AMEA Hall of Fame (2008). Dr. Powell has published articles in the Ala Breve, The Instrumentalist, Music Educators Journal, and School Musician-Director.

Dr. Powell served as president of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. He was state chairman of the College Band Directors Association and the American School Band Directors Association.  Memberships included Music Educators National Conference, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha.

1946 – Yale H. Ellis

Jul 11 2016

Yale EllisYale Ellis was band director at Woodlawn High School (Birmingham) from 1927-1938, Sydney Lanier High School (Montgomery) from 1938-1955, and assistant band director at the University of Alabama from 1955-1967.  Under his direction, Woodlawn became the first high school band in Alabama to perform half-time shows at football games. Mr. Ellis was one of the originators of the Ala Breve magazine, and continued to contribute articles for the magazine throughout his career.  He was one of the pioneers of the Alabama Bandmasters Association, and later served as its President. 

Mr. Ellis was, for many years, director of the summer music camp at the University of Alabama, and taught music camps at Auburn University and in South Carolina. He also taught instrument repair on public television and in the classroom.

1948 – Walter A. Mason

Jul 11 2016

Walter MasonWalter A. Mason was professor of music and chairman of the division of fine arts at Jacksonville State College. He played a leading role in the building of music education in the public schools of Alabama, organizing and directing the first district music and band festivals in his area of the state. 

 Mr. Mason graduated from Fredonia State Teachers College (New York), received his master’s degree from Northwestern University, and had accomplished work toward his doctorate at Peabody College (Nashville). 

He served as Supervisor of Music for the Chautauqua County (New York) Schools, and was City Supervisor at Westwood (New Jersey). He was a member of the music faculty at Northwestern College of Louisiana from 1940-1945. In 1945, he joined the faculty of Jacksonville State College. The music building at Jacksonville State University, Mason Hall, is named in his honor.  

1950 – Vernon Skoog

Jul 11 2016

Vernon SkoogVernon Skoog was Director of Fine Arts for the Jefferson County School System. He graduated from Riverside-Brookfield (Illinois) High School. He attended the Sherwood School of Music and University of Chicago, where he earned his BME. Mr. Skoog relocated to Birmingham in 1937, where he developed an outstanding choral program at Ensley High School. In 1947, he was appointed Director of Music for the Jefferson County School System. In 1962, he was promoted to Director of Fine Arts. His accomplishments include the establishment of an annual spring music festival, including approximately 2,500 students each year. He began the “Annual Dental Clinic Halftime Show,” including 13 high school bands.

Mr. Skoog served as a lecturer at Birmingham-Southern College, and worked with the State Educational Television Network to produce a series of television programs on “Music Through Instruments” and “Music Through Song.” In addition to his work with public school music, Mr.Skoog directed church choirs at Ensley United Methodist, First Presbyterian of Birmingham, and Vestavia Hills United Methodist. His professional memberships include Kappa Phi Kappa, the American Choral Directors Association, Dean of the American Guild of Organists, and membership on a number of boards and civic organizations.

1952 – John J. Hoover

Jul 11 2016

John HooverDr. John J. Hoover served as a music professor at Livingston State Teachers College from 1950-1955. In the 1950 college yearbook, the Paragon, he is listed as “Acting Head of Music Department.” Thereafter, his title is listed as “Professor of Music” in catalogues and yearbooks. 

 Dr. Hoover is credited with significant growth in the band and Glee Club at Livingston.  He became a member of the music faculty at Auburn after the Livingston tenure and remained for several years.

During his career, Dr. Hoover also served as Director of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra.

1954 – Lamar Triplett

Jul 11 2016

Lamar TriplettJames Lamar Triplett was band director at Emma Sansom High School (Gadsden) from 1939-1943, started the band programs at Oxford High School and Alexandria High School, and served as band director at Bessemer High School from 1950-1960. In his later years at Bessemer, he served as band director and Supervisor of Music.

Mr. Triplett graduated from Gadsden High School in 1936. He received his BS from Jacksonville State College in 1939, his MA from Peabody College in 1950, and did post-graduate work at the University of Alabama. He served as president of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame in 1976. 

Each year, the “Lamar Triplett Scholarship” is awarded to an outstanding high school senior who plans on attending college in Alabama and aspires to a career as a band director.

1956 – Carleton K. Butler

Jul 11 2016

Carleton ButlerColonel Carleton K. Butler is best known as the long-time director of the University of Alabama “Million Dollar Band.” It was during his tenure this term was coined. He graduated from high school in Warren, Ohio. He attended Dana’s Musical Institute from 1924-1928, Kent State University from 1928-1932, and the University of Alabama in 1935.

Colonel Butler was band director at Ramsay High School (Birmingham) from 1930-1934 before becoming band director at the University of Alabama, where he remained until his retirement in 1969. From 1935-1946, he also served as band director at Tuscaloosa High School.  During his 34 years as band director at the University of Alabama, Colonel Butler was a driving influential force behind the band movement in Alabama. In 1939 he called a meeting of Alabama band directors at the University of Alabama to form the Alabama Bandmasters Association and served as its first president.

Colonel Butler was appointed Honorary Colonel in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (University of Alabama) in 1940, and was appointed “Honorary Colonel in the Great State of Alabama” by Governor John Patterson in 1959. At his retirement in 1969, he was appointed “Professor Emeritus of Music.” He was awarded the “Outstanding Bandmasters Award” by Phi Beta Mu, the national bandmasters honorary fraternity in 1969. In 1979, $10,000 was donated by former students and friends scholarships in the name of Colonel Butler.

In 1980, the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama dedicated and named the band practice field “Butler Field.” Colonel Butler was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1976.

1958 – Mort Glosser

Jul 11 2016

Mort GlosserDr. Mort Glosser was band director at Gadsden High School from 1936-1959. He became Director of Instruction for the Gadsden City School System in 1959, and remained in that position until July 1, 1965, when he became Superintendent of Gadsden City Schools. He served as superintendent until his retirement in 1975.

Dr. Glosser graduated from Rochelle (Illinois) High School in 1930. He received his BSM from Connell University (Iowa) in 1934, MM from the University of Wisconsin in 1943, and EdD from Michigan State University 1954. He taught in Woodbine, Iowa before coming to Gadsden.

Dr. Glosser served in the Army Air Force (Europe) from 1944-1946. He is a past president of the Gadsden Rotary Club, Gadsden Jaycees, and Alabama Bandmasters Association. He was named to “Who’s Who in American Education” and “Who’s Who in The South” and Southwest. Dr. Glosser was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1976.

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