David Fennell (1946-1996)

1975 was a huge year for the Golden Ram Band. Mr. Harris Brinson took over as the Head Director of Bands, and he was just in time to see the band move into the brand new Robert & Nona Carr Education Fine Arts Building. The marching band exploded, with 127 members, and this was the first year that the Color Guard was incorporated into the marching shows as well. Dr. David Fennell became the ASU band’s first Assistant Director of Bands, and both directors quickly gained the respect of their students. 1975-76 was the foundation year of what would truly become a dynasty.

The next few years saw some reorganization. In the spring semester of 1977 the ASU Concert Band was finally divided to become the Symphonic Band (the primary band) and the Concert Band (the secondary band), taught and conducted by Mr. Brinson & Dr. Fennell respectively. The following semester brought new (mostly yellow) uniforms for the Marching Band. By the Spring of 1978 the Dixie Cats had been converted to the ASU Jazz Band. During the following year, Dr. Fennell sponsored a new group called the Music Educators National Conference, which initially consisted of mostly Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma members. It was also this year that the Ramettes drill team converted to the Angelettes dance team.

Under the Brinson/Fennell combo the band continued to grow and flourish. The band received new uniforms again in 1984. “RAMS” was spelled in an arc across the chest so that everyone watching knew where they were from! These came just in time for a breakthrough year in 1984-85. Dr. Brinson was invited to Ireland to judge three band contests and the “St. Patrick’s Day Parade” in Dublin. In the spring semester the Golden Ram Marching Band performed at the Houston Live Stock Show & Rodeo on February 16th in the Astrodome, where there were approximately 75,000 in attendance. Additionally, the Symphonic Band was selected as one of five bands to perform at the TMEA Convention, which was a big first. On the way up they also performed for crowds in Mason, Leander, Georgetown and Austin. In regards to this amazing year, Brinson said it was an, “…outstanding year and much was done to get us recognized.”

This was truly a special time to be a part of the “Golden Ram Band.” In 1987 Brinson was quoted as saying that there was, “oneness,” among band people. It is, “…fun to work with people who love music.” Dr. Brinson continued to garner recognition and draw attention to ASU. In 1988 he judged at the “St. Patrick’s Day Parade” for the second time in three years.

The band entered the 1990s with 160 members! In 1992 the band performed for a second time at the TMEA All-State Convention. In 1993, Mr. Brinson was selected to conduct the Marine Band, “Band of the President of the United States.” Their normal conductor at the time, Colonel John Bourgeois stated, “You have to be considered one of the top conductors in the United States, and Harris Brinson has achieved that status.”

Mr. Edward Surface recalled these years fondly, saying that on Game Days, cars were lined up bumper to bumper down Johnson Avenue. At the stadium, alumni were lined up from wall to wall, and families often attended and brought their children with them so that they could see the Golden Ram Band. This today remains the high point of the ASU Ram Band program.

Tragedy struck in 1996 when Dr. David Fennell died of AIDS which had been contracted through complications during a blood transfusion. Dr. Christopher Neal was named the new Assistant Director of Bands. Outside of Dr. Fennell’s family, perhaps the most devastated by Fennell’s death was Mr. Brinson. Not only had the two built the Ram Band into one of the premier bands in Texas for over twenty years, but prior to teaching at ASU, the duo taught at Pampa High School for a number of years, having prior met each other while attending school at West Texas State University. With his long time friend gone, Mr. Harris Brinson retired as the Director of Bands at ASU in 1997. He no doubt went out with a bang as the ASU Symphonic Band performed for a third and (to this date) final time at the TMEA Convention. Upon his retirement, he was named Director of Bands Emeritus, meaning that he will always have an open invitation to return to his position as Head Director of Bands at ASU.

(Excerpt from Angelo State University Band History, http://kkpsiek.org/bandhistory.html)