Floyd Graham
Encyclopedia
Floyd Freeman Graham (October 15, 1902 – August 18, 1974, Denton, Texas
) was a US collegiate bandleader and music educator who founded and directed the Aces of Collegeland in 1927, the university dance band, pit orchestra and stage band of the University of North Texas College of Music
. He also was a violinist. The Aces of Collegeland was the forerunner to the One O'Clock Lab Band
. Graham laid the groundwork at North Texas for what became the first degree in jazz studies offered by a major academic university.
Many of the Ace's band members and Saturday night participants became a "who's who" in the performing arts – as members of famous big bands, film, and singers.
Notable Saturday Night Performers with the Aces
Notable "Aces" Alumni
In 1971, the University of North Texas Student Government Association designated him as "Honor Professor," and upon retirement May 31, 1973, the regents awarded him the lifetime status of Professor Emeritus. He was the university's first professor emeritus.
.
Graham earned a Teachers Certificate from Chicago Musical College
in 1927 and a Bachelor of Music degree in violin from Chicago Musical College
in August of 1931. While attending Chicago Musical College
, Graham studied violin with Max Ignatz Fischel (1878–1937) (Head of the Normal Department), ear training with Harold Burnham Maryott (born 1878), music history with Herbert Witherspoon
(1873–1935); harmony
and counterpoint
with Hans Franklin Madsen (1887–1971), and composition, counterpoint
, and solfeggio with Wesley LaViolette
(1894–1978).
Graham also earned a Master of Music degree from the American Conservatory of Music
.
At the American Conservatory of Music
, Graham had been a pupil of:
In Texas, Graham had been a pupil of:
He also had been a pupil of:
while in grade school.
Floyd Graham married Doris Patricia Howard in September 2, 1942. They had a daughter, Patricia (Pati) (Graham) Haworth.
Recipients
Recipients
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
) was a US collegiate bandleader and music educator who founded and directed the Aces of Collegeland in 1927, the university dance band, pit orchestra and stage band of the University of North Texas College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
. He also was a violinist. The Aces of Collegeland was the forerunner to the One O'Clock Lab Band
One O'Clock Lab Band
The One O’Clock Lab Band for years has been the premier ensemble of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton. The band has performed and toured abroad in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,...
. Graham laid the groundwork at North Texas for what became the first degree in jazz studies offered by a major academic university.
Many of the Ace's band members and Saturday night participants became a "who's who" in the performing arts – as members of famous big bands, film, and singers.
Notable Saturday Night Performers with the Aces
Notable "Aces" Alumni
In 1971, the University of North Texas Student Government Association designated him as "Honor Professor," and upon retirement May 31, 1973, the regents awarded him the lifetime status of Professor Emeritus. He was the university's first professor emeritus.
Education
Graham earned a bachelor of arts from the University of North TexasUniversity of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
.
Graham earned a Teachers Certificate from Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College is a division of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt UniversityIt was founded in 1867, less than four decades after the city of Chicago was incorporated...
in 1927 and a Bachelor of Music degree in violin from Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College is a division of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt UniversityIt was founded in 1867, less than four decades after the city of Chicago was incorporated...
in August of 1931. While attending Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College is a division of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt UniversityIt was founded in 1867, less than four decades after the city of Chicago was incorporated...
, Graham studied violin with Max Ignatz Fischel (1878–1937) (Head of the Normal Department), ear training with Harold Burnham Maryott (born 1878), music history with Herbert Witherspoon
Herbert Witherspoon
Herbert Witherspoon was an American bass singer and opera manager.-Biography:A native of Buffalo, New York, Herbert Witherspoon graduated from Yale University in 1895 where he had performed as a member of the Glee Club. After leaving school he studied music with Horatio Parker, Edward MacDowell,...
(1873–1935); harmony
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
and counterpoint
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
with Hans Franklin Madsen (1887–1971), and composition, counterpoint
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
, and solfeggio with Wesley LaViolette
Wesley LaViolette
Wallace Wesley LaViolette was an American musician who composed, conducted, lectured, and wrote about music. He was also a poet and music theorist. As an educator, he mentored Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Giuffre, John Graas, George Perle, Florence Price, Bob Carter, Bob Florence, John Graas, and Robert...
(1894–1978).
Graham also earned a Master of Music degree from the American Conservatory of Music
American Conservatory of Music
The American Conservatory of Music was a major American school of music founded in 1886 by John James Hattstaedt . The conservatory was incorporated as an Illinois non-profit corporation. It was located in Chicago until 1991 when its Board of Trustees — chaired by Frederic Wilbur Hickman...
.
At the American Conservatory of Music
American Conservatory of Music
The American Conservatory of Music was a major American school of music founded in 1886 by John James Hattstaedt . The conservatory was incorporated as an Illinois non-profit corporation. It was located in Chicago until 1991 when its Board of Trustees — chaired by Frederic Wilbur Hickman...
, Graham had been a pupil of:
- Herbert Dalton Butler (1867–1946) – violin
- Leo SowerbyLeo SowerbyLeo Sowerby , American composer and church musician, was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1946, and was often called the “Dean of American church music” in the early to mid 20th century.-Biography:...
(1895–1968) – composition & counterpoint
In Texas, Graham had been a pupil of:
- Carl VenthCarl VenthCarl Venth was a German-American composer, violinist, conductor, music educator, and scholar. He was a leading classical music figure in Texas in the first half of the twentieth century and was one of the early music directors of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.-Early life and education:Venth was...
(1860–1938)
He also had been a pupil of:
- Fritz MahlerFritz MahlerFritz Mahler was an Austrian conductor.Mahler's father was a cousin of the composer Gustav Mahler. In Europe he became a leading conductor with such ensembles as the Berlin Radio Symphony, the Dresden Philharmonic and the Danish State Symphony. He fled Europe in 1936 for the United States...
- Ferde GroféFerde GroféFerde Grofé was a prominent American composer, arranger and pianist. During the 1920s and 1930s, he went by the name Ferdie Grofé.-Early life:...
(1892–1972)
Family and growing up
Floyd Graham was the son of Schyler Colfax Graham (1869–1931), a Denton grocer, and Rockie Virginia Graham (1879–1954) Freeman. Floyd Graham first exhibited his interest in music by experimenting with a cigar-box violinCigar box guitar
The cigar box guitar is a primitive chordophone that uses an empty cigar box for a resonator. "Guitar" refers to the traditional instrument and to a string bass. The earliest predecessors had one or two strings compared with the three or more used in today's models...
while in grade school.
Floyd Graham married Doris Patricia Howard in September 2, 1942. They had a daughter, Patricia (Pati) (Graham) Haworth.
'Fessor Graham Award for Faculty
In 1958, the North Texas student body established the 'Fessor Graham Award, the highest honor bestowed by the students to a faculty member. The award recognizes one faculty member each year for outstanding and unselfish service beyond the call of duty to students.Floyd Graham Memorial Scholarship
The College of Music offers a scholarship as a memorial to Floyd Graham, sponsored by the Floyd Graham Society.Recipients
North Texas Jazz Festival's Floyd 'Fessor Graham Award
The North Texas Jazz Festival established the Floyd 'Fessor Graham Award for the outstanding high school or middle school vocal group. The winner performs during one of the evening's "pro" concerts.Recipients