PALESTINE — Maybe you were one of those who recall being “forced” to listen to classical music in class, or perhaps you were a member of the Palestine High School “radio band” — one of the band members who recorded records to be played on the local radio station.
Any student who sat under the tutelage of former PHS band director Roy Wallace was sure to come away with at least one or two fond memories to share about him.
Now, it’s time to unlock those memories and dust off those souvenirs of days gone by to honor the man who meant so much to so many.
The Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters fraternity recently announced their decision to induct Wallace into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame and are asking his “descendants” to provide memorabilia from his career for a display in his honor.
“Mr. Wallace has no surviving family,” local historian and one of Wallace’s former students Jack Selden said in a recent interview. “One of his past students, Sherry Albritton, who is also a band director, has taken on the task of providing information for the Hall of Fame files.”
Suggested items for the display include photographs, personal stories or remembrances, concert or performance programs, newspaper clippings, personal letters, contest records or even compositions. Any existing recordings of his bands during his teaching career would also be welcome.
“Roy Wallace was a pioneer band director who influenced many students through the years,” Albritton said in a biography about Wallace. “The only people who remember this man are former students.”
Wallace, a native of Coolidge, began his teaching career in Elkhart, where he taught from 1932 to 1934, then at Norwood Elementary School from 1934 to 1935 before becoming assistant band director in Palestine.
Wallace served as band director at Reagan Junior High until 1942 when he replaced Col. Vern Adams as director of the Palestine High School Wildcat Band.
“Wallace and Col. Adams, who left Palestine to become director at Texas A&M;, developed the famous ‘minstrel turn’ — a maneuver made popular by the A&M; band,” Albritton said. “The PHS band used the maneuver often, back when required maneuvers were judged at marching contests.”
Through the years, Wallace’s bands won numerous awards in UIL competition — winning the Sweepstakes award for 14 of the 16 years he served as PHS’s director.
“Under Wallace’s direction, the precision-marching and smooth-playing Wildcat Band built a reputation as one of the state’s top high school groups,” Albritton said. “The band performed at College Station as a representative of the University of Oklahoma in a Texas A&M; football game, and took part in the 1950 Cotton Bowl Classic.”
But with all the accolades, it was his way with the students that meant the most to many members of the band.
“Roy and Clo Wallace had no children and so took an unusual interest in all the band kids and treated us more like their children,” Albritton said. “When my wife, Elizabeth and I became engaged, I brought her to Palestine to meet them so we could get their blessing.
“We were young, but they approved.”
Wallace was connected with the Palestine Independent School District for 26 years. He retired Oct. 15, 1961 due to illness and passed away nine years later on Dec. 17, 1970.
Wallace’s induction into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame will take place July 22 in San Antonio. Those interested in contributing a memento or personal memory are asked to call Albritton at 281-342-4983 or Selden at 903-729-1606.
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com
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