A Few Hysterical Notes on the UW Alumni Band

By Jerold K. Elliot

The UW Alumni Band was first organized in the early 1960’s by Dr. Robert Noble, the Music Ed. Professor, and continued until his retirement (date unknown). For some time, no music professors stepped forward to run the group, so the band underwent a dubious existence for years. During that time, the band participated at homecoming in small groups riding in pickup trucks. In 2002, the University of Wyoming Alumni Band Association was formed. The first president of the association was Theodoros Constantinidis (affectionately dubbed, “Thoro”). The band has also participated in spring Wind Ensemble concerts in Laramie.

Bill Hoyt writes, during the time when the band went past the Fireside Lounge, they took a shortcut through the drive through, and some went into the bar and came out the back door. They got all the members back shortly thereafter. At another time, later, a small group from Green River played in the back of a pick-up, and had a great time. The driver burned up the clutch in that pickup, and almost crashed it several times during the parade. He never drove it again.

Mary Ann Thompson writes: The last time the band marched in the parade (in the early 80’s), a small truck used to carry the bass drum and a few people who couldn’t march, including the sponsor, Ralph Strouf. As they were marching along, playing occasionally, they realized that there was no crowd. The truck, which was leading, went straight when it should have turned, and was off course. The truck then made a couple of turns and got them back on track, but the parade behind them had followed. Suddenly there was a new route for the last part of the parade. People on the correct street were running over to the new street to see them. That is probably why the parade officials wouldn’t let the band march again, although it was the truck’s fault.

Tommy Reddicks writes: In 2001, Thoro Constantinides, Justin White, Jerry Peterson, and Tommy instituted the now outlawed, “jump off and run around the float” tradition during the parade route. In 2004, the band had to sign a form agreeing not to do that anymore.

As one can see, the discussion is very incomplete. In the effort to write a history of the Alumni Band, it was discovered that no one ever wrote anything down. Memories, including mine, are seriously lacking, and not many people who were even remotely associated with the band are still around. I am attempting to write up a more or less complete history to be included here on the Alumni Band’s website. I am therefore requesting anyone with information to contact me. My telephone number is (719) 684-2062. My email is jkerags@peoplepc.com.

~Submitted January 18th, 2006