By Avery Abernathy ‘22 and Veronica Gonzalez Hoff, Division of Student Affairs
Lt. Col. Ray Toler, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) was one of 11 inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 2021 at the annual convention of the Texas Bandmasters Association in San Antonio. Bandmasters are selected for this honor each year based on their body of work in the band profession. Toler served as director of bands at Texas A&M University from 1989-2002.
Timothy Rhea, director of bands and music activities at Texas A&M, was hired by Toler almost 30 years ago and served as associate director of bands from 1993-2002 before his current role. Rhea learned much during his tenure under Toler and they remain close friends to this day.
“I always really appreciated his professional approach to how he treated everyone,” Rhea said. “He made success possible for everyone involved in our program. Toler’s induction into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute in recognition of a long and storied career that created musical and learning experiences for numerous students and professional musicians who had the fortune to be associated with him.”
Before Toler’s time at Texas A&M, he pursued a degree in music education at Texas Christian University in 1964 and then went on to receive a master’s degree in music at The College of New Jersey in 1975. During his time at Texas Christian University (TCU), Toler was a trombonist in the Horned Frog Band and other bands and orchestras, and also met his wife. Toler was the conductor and commander of six U.S. Air Force Bands when his good friend and predecessor Col. Joe Tom Haney called to ask if he would visit Aggieland.
After Toler and his wife attended one Fightin’ Texas Aggie football game, the deal was sealed and Toler became the director of bands in 1989. When Toler arrived, there were 270 students in the Aggie Band. In just 14 years, he completely grew and transformed the band program at Texas A&M University for the better.
“When I retired in 2002, there were 400-plus in the Aggie Band, three symphonic bands, all of which receive academic credit, and three dance bands,” he explained. “So we grew from 330 to over 700 students during those 14 years.”
The growth of the program is one of his most memorable accomplishments during his time at Texas A&M. Other memorable accomplishments include witnessing the Aggie Band being selected for the Sudler Trophy by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, and the two European tours with the Symphonic Band.
Not long after retiring from Texas A&M, Toler lost his wife, Catherine, to cancer. He later reconnected with friend and fellow TCU alumnus, Michaeleen. They married in 2004 and now live in north Texas. They enjoy time with their expanding family, which includes 16 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Toler is also a Stephen Minister who remains active in his church and community.
The Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame is awarded by Phi Beta Mu, which is the international school bandmaster fraternity. The fraternity created the Hall of Fame to honor “outstanding band directors whose dedication and devotions to their profession were paramount, but whose admirable traits and services were not necessarily known nationally.”
Toler was notified of his selection to be inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in February 2021, which was an honor that he never expected.
“It was wonderfully humbling to be recognized by my peers in this way,” he said.
Although Toler was born in Detroit, he grew up in Marlin, Texas, outside of Waco. Music has always been a foundation in Toler’s life, stemming from singing in church at a young age. In sixth grade he had the opportunity to join a first-class band program.
“I saw the movie “The Glenn Miller Story,” which drew me to the trombone. My band director, Hal Spenser, was my mentor throughout my life,” Toler said. “I never wanted to be anything other than a band director since.”
The Department of Music Activities is a part of the Division of Student Affairs and serves over 1,300 students each year. Music Activities offers them opportunities to participate in a wide variety of musical activities, including opportunities to perform on local, national and international platforms. Learn more about the department at musa.tamu.edu.