TBA honors two former Permian band directors

Each year, the Texas Bandmasters Association recognizes those who have made a difference in the lives of band students in Texas.

It is a tradition dating back to 1955 for TBA to honor those who exemplify the qualities of a good band director.

The highest honor is the Bandmaster of the Year.  This award is presented to a member who has shown a love of music and students, the talent to bring the best out of their students and the willingness to share with other directors.

Honorary Life Members are chosen in gratitude for a lifetime of support and service to the world of music.

This year's Bandmaster of the Year is Charles E. Nail and the Honorary Life Membership was presented to J.R. McEntyre.

McEntyre is the 10th person to receive this prestigious award over the 61 years.

Nail and McEntyre were both honored at the TBA 61st Convention/Clinic last week July 27-30 at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio.

Charles E. Nail
>> Nail began his music career as a young cornet player in Monahans and since that time has become a well-known music educator throughout the Southwestern part of the United States. He completed both bachelor's and master's degrees at West Texas State University and has done post-graduate work in conducting at the University of Texas in Austin and at the University of North Texas in Denton.
During Nail's 17-year tenure as band and orchestra director at Permian High School, the bands and orchestras won the Texas State Marching Band contest in 1982, finished in second place three other times and was selected five times for the finals competition in that event. The Permian Symphonic Band was also selected as the Texas State Honor Band and was never awarded less than a superior rating in every contest and festival they entered during his time there. The Permian Symphony Orchestra was twice chosen as the Texas State Honor Orchestra and also was invited to perform at the prestigious Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic/Convention in 1985. Nail is the only Texas band and orchestra director to have his groups selected as the winners in all three areas of statewide competition.
As an adjudicator and clinician, Nail has judged the Texas State Marching Contest, the Arizona State Marching contest, the Oklahoma State Marching Contest as well as the Contest of Champions in Murfreesboro, Tenn.. He has served as an adjudicator at concert contests throughout the Southwest and has evaluated young performers in the El Paso Symphony League Young Artists competition. As a conductor, Nail has led many All-Region bands and orchestras in Texas, New Mexico and Connecticut.
Nail is a past president of the Texas Music Educators Association and also served two years as the vice president and orchestra division chairman of that organization. He is a past president of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and he was chosen in 1992 to be a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, a group of the most highly regarded band directors in colleges, universities and public schools from across the United States and Canada. In the summer of 2007, Nail was chosen for membership in the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
Recently retired from public schools after 36 years of service, Nail is currently the concert band/jazz band director at Odessa College.

J.R. McEntyre
>> McEntyre, a retired band director, orchestra director and music administrator, has served in Texas public schools for more than 40 years. At his retirement he was the administrator of music education in Odessa. Since his retirement from public school music education, he has remained active as clinician, consultant and adjudicator, and has been a faculty member of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
McEntyre's bands and orchestras have been named outstanding organizations at music festivals throughout the United States. His Permian High School Band, in its third year of existence, in 1961-62, was selected Texas Honor Band. His marching band also appeared on nationwide television for NFL half-time performances. During his career, he was the guest conductor for many all-region bands as well as all-state bands.
He is past president of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Conference and the Texas Chapter of the National Bandmasters Fraternity Phi Beta Mu; he has served as Texas State Band Division chairman and is a member of the American Bandmasters Association.
He was named 1985 Texas Bandmaster of the Year and in 1987 was honored as Texas Orchestra Director of the Year. In 1988, he received an Excellence in Community Service award in Education by the Heritage of Odessa Foundation. In 1995 an instrumental music building at Permian High School was named and dedicated to him.
McEntyre is co-author of six method books, all currently published by Southern Music Company. From 1969 through 1997, he served as executive secretary of UIL Music Region VI and in that capacity was awarded the 1989 Outstanding Music Educator Award by the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Associations.
He and his wife Evelyn reside in Odessa. They are parents of four children; Marcia, Janis, David and John.
For more TBA information, visit www.texasbandmasters.org.