By Shelbi LeMeilleur
From Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, members past and present of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band will gather in College Station for a weekend of remembrance and celebration. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the “nationally famous” marching band.
The 125-year history of the Aggie Band is chronicled in The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band — 125th Anniversary Edition by Mary Jo Powell. Originally published in 1994 by Powell and her husband, Donald, Texas A&M University Class of 1956, The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band has been updated to reflect an additional 25 years of band history.
Powell walks through each era of the Aggie Band through eight chapters of band directors and other prominent leaders. The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band begins in 1894 with Joseph Holick and other early bandmasters, then highlights the band’s evolution and significance under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Dunn, Lieutenant Colonel E.V. Adams (the longest-serving band director), Colonel Joe T. Haney, Lieutenant Colonel Ray E. Toler, and Dr. Timothy B. Rhea. Additional chapters focus on the impact the Aggie Band has had traveling across the nation and another important leader of the band — current Senior Associate Director Colonel Jay O. Brewer.
Through each chapter, Powell highlights the significance of the time period, notable performances, lesser known history, and quirky tidbits about the Aggie Band. One such story tells of a supposed passed-down tradition among drum majors. Legend has it, a pair of red socks was stolen from a Southern Methodist University drum major, and every year since the head drum major would wear the red socks during the game versus SMU, and the socks could never be washed...
The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is available through the Texas A&M University Press.
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