Golden Ram Band to Take the Field in Remembrance of Years Long Past

“They used to call Angelo State ‘Angelo State Suitcase University,’” says Robin Palmer with a laugh, “because on the weekends, everyone would go home, except for the band.”

In those days, the San Angelo Stadium was the place to be on Saturday nights for those who had decided to forego a weekend laundry wash at mom and pop’s and had stuck around the city.

It was the ‘70s, and the ‘70s in San Angelo were quite different from the two thousand-teens, as evidenced by the university football games’ current popularity.

But even with the trends of a new century to contend with, Palmer is intent on restoring the stadium’s once-fabled status in a night of golden marching glory, even if she has to invite all of her old band buddies back to do so. And indeed, that’s the plan.

Palmer, an ASU graduate from Del Rio, is no stranger to the art of the reunion. Having organized one in Del Rio roughly a year ago and attended several smaller ones over the years, she felt it was time to take the ASU Golden Ram Alumni Band to UT Marching heights, and began coordinating with ASU Band and Music Directors and local alumni for ASU’s first Golden marching reunion.

“They tried to have little reunions all these years, they’ve been having five or six people show up at Zentner’s,” Palmer said, mentioning that after her experience in Del Rio he thought the ASU Band one could also be a success. 

“Everyone [in Del Rio] had so much fun, I thought, ‘why don’t we have a big reunion?’” Palmer said.

With some heavy social networking on the Alumni Band’s long-since dormant Facebook page and several emails and phone calls to those still in the area, Palmer and a cast of comrades got the ball rolling on the upcoming event and have seen interest from well beyond the state line.

“We’re going to have several from out of town that will be coming in,” Palmer said. “Some form the Dallas area, some from the San Antonio area—we’re going to have one former twirler for sure...” she stated.

Someone’s even coming in from Florida to participate, Palmer adds, noting that another former band member from North Carolina has also expressed interest.

The reunion is set to take place on Nov. 9, and offers interested alumni three forms of participation: those who will attend the run-through and march during the game; those who will attend the game but won’t march’ and those who will attend the post-game social at the Alumni Center.

So far, interest has been great on the Facebook page, however Palmer says the number who plan to attend is difficult to gage, as confirmations are also received via email and telephone among the varying coordinators.

Nonetheless, Palmer has a solid backing from the university and the alumni, and hopes that the event will be a success both this and following years.

“My goal in doing this is to make it as big as possible,” said Palmer. “Band is a very important part of the University program.”

Arturo Valdez, current band director at ASU, expressed similar wishes for the first-time event. He was also a key player in advocating the reunion of the marching band.

“I think this band has a very rich history and so we need to tap into that, and hopefully that will help us in the future,” he said.

The goal is to fill the field next Saturday with band alumni, whether they can play or not. Palmer and other former band members are bringing along extra instruments for those who want to borrow them, and emphasizes that the goal is just to take part. The current ASU band will march alongside the alumni.

They don’t have to play or march, Palmer says, they can fake it. This is about keeping the memory alive and promoting band for future generations.

Directing the event will be former ASU band director Harris Brinson, who will be inducted into ASU’s first Marching Band Hall of Fame at the event. Also featured will be photos from previous years and recorded music from Palmer’s era.

Registration is still taking place and all ASU Band Alumni are encouraged to attend and participate. Cost of registration is $10, and will go toward funding the food and room rental. Once registration is complete, the band director will be emailing the music out to participants in advance, and a rehearsal has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. the day of.

Those interested in registering should contact either Fay Gwinn Coleman, one of the local coordinators, or Robin Palmer via the Golden Ram Band Facebook page to express interest.

Palmer may also be reached at 830-469-2921.

Most kids in the band, they don’t give it up,” Palmer says. “You can’t really say that about football, you don’t see that many 50-year-old men playing football. But band, it stays with you.”