San Angelo Community Band History

Interested local musicians met & developed a Constitution, by-laws, & non-profit status in 1988.

Community musicians are encouraged to dust off their instruments and join in the fun.

In Memoriam

Robert Douglas Ritchie 1945 - 2024.

Robert Douglas (Doug) Ritchie, 78 years young, went to live in heaven with Jesus on Friday, May 17, 2024. He was born August 11, 1945 in Dickson, Tennessee, to Rev. Robert B. and Isabell Porch Ritchie. When he was 5 years old his father accepted a pastorate at First Baptist Church in Sterling City where Doug started school. When his father began teaching sixth grade at Santa Rita Elementary in San Angelo, they moved to the big city and Doug attended Santa Rita, Lee Junior High, and graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 1963.

When he was a small child his parents bought him a toy drum and his life's work took root. He was passionate about music and was a proud member of the Lee Rebel Band and the Central Bobcat Band. Deciding on a career in band directing, he attended Baylor University, Tennessee Tech University, and ultimately finished his degree at Angelo State University in 1982.

Retirement in 2011 brought a whole new life of travel, enjoying family, and researching fields of knowledge for which he had always been curious but never had time to explore.
 

Dr. Bruce Robinson Heare 1958 - 2019

Dr. Bruce Robinson Heare, was a husband, father, physician, friend, grillmaster, musician, and outdoorsman. He passed away December 6, 2019 in San Angelo, Texas surrounded by family in his home. He was born October 11, 1958 to Charles Robinson Heare and Anne Edwards Heare in Beaumont, Texas.

Bruce was the youngest of 4 children. He met the love of his life, Ginger Heare, in high school and they married on June 6, 1981. After graduating from Lamar University, he went on to graduate from UTMB in Galveston. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Gastroenterology.

They moved to San Angelo in 1990, where he practiced until his retirement in 2015. His practice was not only a career, but a calling and a passion through which he touched many lives. Bruce enjoyed sharing his love of hunting, fishing and camping. His family was his top priority and in his final years his grandchildren brought him great joy.
 

Travis C. Meitzen, Jr. 1941 - 2022

Travis C. Meitzen, Jr., aged 81, died 12/15/2022 peacefully at home in San Angelo, TX with family after many months of rehab in Austin.

Travis was born October 9th, 1941 in El Paso, TX to Travis C. Meitzen, MD and Virginia Shows Meitzen, RN. The family moved to Refugio, TX after Dr. Meitzen returned from WWII. Travis, known to his two younger siblings as "Sonny", was a prankster and protective big brother.

At age 15 & 16, Travis made All-State Band twice, All-State Chior, played Football, and left high school with a tackle box full of Trombone and Piano medals from state.

At age 16, Travis started his college career at the University of Texas in Austin. He was 1st chair Trombone and an officer in the Longhorn Band, member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the Tejas Club, the Water Polo Team, and the Texas Cowboys. He earned two degrees: a BA in Zoology and a BS in Pharmacy. Travis met the love of his life, Irene Reeb, at UT and they had 62 wonderful years together.

After college, the happy couple moved to San Angelo, TX where Travis was partner and then owner of Hudman Drug Store. He worked as a Pharmacist at Hudman Drug for 46 years.

Travis played Trombone in the San Angelo Community Band, Ice House Brass Band, and Armadillo Jazz Band.  
 

John Keith Little 1937 - 2019.

John Keith Little was born on October 23, 1937 in Bartlesville, OK. Keith graduated from Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) in 1960, served in the Army for 18 months and then returned to HSU to complete his Masters in 1963.

Keith was a Junior High Band Director and Counselor in Lubbock, TX from 1963 until 1993, serving at OL Slaton, Evans, MacKenzie and Matthew schools. He relocated to San Angelo to join his in-law’s business, Kennemer Properties. Keith continued his love of music and joined several music groups which include the San Angelo Community Band, Twin Mountain Tonesmen, Ice House Brass, Tuba Christmas, Armadillo Republic Jazz Band, and the Southland Baptist Orchestra. Keith also volunteered with the Central High School Band.

Keith served as Deacon at Southland Baptist Church, and previously at First Baptist in San Angelo and Oakwood Baptist in Lubbock. Keith was often the giver named ‘anonymous’ for students, widows and so many others.
 

Donna Maria Fowler 1941 - 2016.

Donna was born June 28, 1941, and was a lifelong resident of San Angelo, where she was actively involved in the community. She was a realtor with Coldwell Banker and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Donna had a lifelong passion for music and she played trumpet in the San Angelo Community Band, the Ice House Brass and the ASU Wind Ensemble.

Donna graduated from Lake View High School prior to attending San Angelo College and then the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated with a music degree. Upon graduating from college she spent time in an all-girl brass band and made an appearance on the Johnny Carson show on Johnny's birthday in 1963.

She was a generous, loving, kind-hearted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Though she will be missed, we celebrate her life, and dedicate our 2016 Concert Season to her memory.

"Music reveals the essence of life. Through music we experience God's love, His creation, and how to treat each other." - Donna Fowler

Bill D. Kershner 1936 - 2016.

Bill D. Kershner was born Dec. 15, 1936 in San Angelo, Texas.

He attended Lake View High School, graduating in 1955. He began his music career playing Trumpet in the Lake View band, beginning in the fifth grade and continued playing for the rest of his life. Attending Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas on a music scholarship, he honed his music skills playing in the Sul Ross band, earning a B.A. in music in 1958.

He began teaching as a band director with Imperial Independent School System in Imperial, Texas, and after one year of teaching, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army. Basic training and advanced music school was spent at Fort Ord, California. After completion at Fort Ord, Bill was stationed in Brooklyn, New York at the Brooklyn Army Terminal where he spent his remaining service time with the Army band playing for the arriving and departing troop ships and various parades. Bill also had the opportunity to play with both the Brooklyn Symphony and the Long Island Symphony.

Upon discharge from the Army, Bill returned to teaching public school band in Hallettsville, Texas. While in Hallettsville, Bill was drawn to special service and completed a Master's Degree in clinical social work, and eventually moved back to San Angelo and opened a private practice for counseling and continued until December 2000.

After retirement music became a larger part of his life. Bill played with First Baptist Ensemble Community Band, Ice House Brass, and Armadillo Republic Jazz Band.

John Carlos Parsons 1959 - 2016.

John, or Jack as called by some, grew up as a member of an Air Force family and lived in a variety of places including Germany and the island of Crete before his father retired in San Angelo. He attended Edison Junior High and Central High School, graduating in the class of 1977. He attended Angelo State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

For the past 17 years, John worked for Howard College, most recently as the District Chief Facilities Operations Officer for Howard College. He served his country for a number of years in the United States Naval Reserve. He loved being involved with the community and served on a number of civic committees including the San Angelo Symphony Board of Directors. John loved music and rekindled his love for playing the trumpet a few years ago. He was a member of the San Angelo Community Band and the Ice House Brass.

John was greatly loved by all who knew him because of his quick wit, sharp mind, and never failing charm and friendly disposition. He loved teasing with people and was well known for his practical and corny jokes. Feeling so naturally at ease with people, John never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by so many.

Eddie Wayne Pace 1935 - 2006.

Eddie Wayne Pace was born on May 26, 1935, and died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, from brain cancer. Ed was band director at Angelo State University. He established the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. He was a founding member of the Dixie Cats Jazz Band, member of the San Angelo Community Band, San Angelo Symphony and Bill Aylor Band. He started the San Angelo Armadillo Republic Jazz Band and was a member of the Ice House Brass.