Hello all- I know many of you have been concerned not knowing. I am a private person and don’t like to announce personal business on Facebook. Dad passed away in December. I am the only one left other than his grandchildren. I hope knowing brings you peace. He is loved and touched a great many people. I like to think he is standing up and conducting a wind symphony in heaven.
1983-1992
John Hammerle became the band’s third Conductor in 1983.
In 1984, the band incorporated and obtained 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization.
During John Hammerle’s tenure, the band began holding its weekly summer rehearsals in Haggard Park.
These rehearsals started drawing an audience! With growing interest in the PCB, the band decided that prepared performances were much more interesting to an audience than listening to rehearsals. The following year the band began alternating Monday evenings of indoor rehearsals one week and outdoor concerts in the Haggard Park gazebo the next. The Haggard Park Summer Concert Series was born, and the Plano Community Band continues the tradition to this day.
The City of Plano Parks and Recreation Department and the Cultural Arts Association of Plano still sponsored the group. The Band played for many City of Plano events, including: park dedications, the Plano Balloon Festival, Memorial Day Remembrance, and the Christmas Tree Lighting. The band also performed at the Connemara Conservancy, business openings, and area malls.
The Band began performing joint concerts with other local arts groups. Combined performances included vocal groups such as the Collin County Community Chorus, Plano Civic Chorus, Younger Generation Children’s Chorus, and the Plano Police Department Choir. The Band also partnered with the Richardson Community Band for a concert.
Additionally, the internationally acclaimed Russian pianist Ariel performed as a guest artist with the Band.
During this era, the PCB joined the national Association of Concert Bands. In 1992, the Plano Community Band hosted the ACB’s annual national convention in Plano.
John Hammerle
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SPECIALIST, Adjudicator, retired Executive Director of Fine and Performing Arts
Dallas, Texas, United States
John Hammerle, retired Executive Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Dallas Independent School District, named top Director of Fine Arts in North Texas and recipient of the Hummer Award by the SCORE A GOAL IN THE CLASSROOM, served as Adjunct Professor, Dallas County Community Colleges, is currently a private instrumental music instructor, and has been a professional performer with the Houston Symphony, American Wind Symphony, and the Dallas Wind Symphony. John is a graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and a Masters Degree of Administration, with Professional All-level Music Certification and Professional All-level Administrative Certication. Was also chosen for the Leadership Plano Texas Class.
John has taught in public schools throughout Texas, as well as serving as Supervisor of Music in San Angelo Texas, and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Texas in Austin Texas. His Internationally famous Westchester High School Band, of the Spring Branch Independent School District, Houston Texas, achieved 11 continuous Sweepstakes and his orchestras, 5 Sweepstakes and numerous Special Awards and trophies.
His Westchester Band captured the coveted Six Flags Over Texas Best of class, topping over 55 bands from 11 states, and won the top honors in the New York Macy’s Parade with 15 minutes of international coverage. John is currently an Adjudicator and consultant for National Festivals and consultant for school districts throughout the U.S., most recently serving on the North Central Association of Accreditation of the Chicago Public School Districts. During his teaching career, John has had over 330 private students qualify for the AllState Organizations, with over 29 private students achieving “FIRST CHAIR” or best in the state. Many of his students are currently playing professionally or teaching throughout the United States.
John J. Hammerle (Music Education, '65, M.Ed., '69), retired Executive Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Dallas Independent School District, named top Director of Fine Arts in North Texas and recipient of the Hummer Award by the Score a Goal in the Classroom, served as Adjunct Professor, Dallas County Community Colleges, is currently a private instrumental music instructor, and has been a professional performer with the Houston Symphony, American Wind Symphony, and the Dallas Wind Symphony. He has taught in public schools throughout Texas, as well as serving as Supervisor of Music in San Angelo Texas, and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Texas at Austin.
His Internationally famous Westchester High School Band, of the Spring Branch Independent School District, achieved 11 continuous Sweepstakes and numerous Special Awards and trophies. It also captured the coveted Six Flags Over Texas Best of class, topping over 55 bands from 11 states, and won the top honors in the New York Macy’s Parade with 15 minutes of international coverage. He is currently an Adjudicator and consultant for National Festivals and consultant for school districts throughout the U.S., most recently serving on the North Central Association of Accreditation of the Chicago Public School Districts.
https://uh.edu/class/alumni/1960s/index.php
Milby High School Alumni - Class of 1960
9/1/02, John sent pictures of his family. First there are pictures of his daughters, Angel (left) and Melody.
Next there is John’s wife Delores, with granddaughters Haley and Kiley.
Here are more pictures of the granddaughters: Megan, age 13, Haley, age 8, and Kiley, age 3. John wrote, “We have a meeting every Saturday to go to the mall, or skating, or to a movie, or “whatever”. I am known as “Papa John”. No pizza jokes, please. I guess we try to make up the missed times with our own children through our grandchildren. Life is just not fair, but no one said it was. At least we have a chance one more time.”
John's Biography:
John Hammerle, retired Executive Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Dallas Independent School District, was named top Director of Fine Arts in North Texas and recipient of the Hummer Award by the SCORE A GOAL IN THE CLASSROOM. He has served as Adjunct Professor, Dallas County Community Colleges, and is currently a private instrumental music instructor. He has been a professional performer with the Houston Symphony, American Wind Symphony, and the Dallas Wind Symphony. John is a graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and a Masters Degree of Administration, with Professional All-level Music Certification and Professional All-level Administrative Certification.
John has taught in public schools throughout Texas, as well as serving as Supervisor of Music in San Angelo Texas, and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Texas in Austin Texas. His Internationally famous Westchester High School Band, of the Spring Branch Independent School District, Houston Texas, achieved 11 continuous Sweepstakes and his orchestras, 5 Sweepstakes and numerous Special Awards and trophies. The Westchester High School Band that John conducted captured the coveted Six Flags Over Texas Best of class, topping over 55 bands from 11 states. It was the first school band from Texas to be chosen for and they won the Macy’s parade, with 15 minutes of international coverage.
When John was teaching at the University of Texas, he did the Super Bowl halftime show for the Miami VS. Minnesota that was held in Houston. John is currently an Adjudicator and Consultant for National Festivals and Consultant for school districts throughout the U.S., most recently serving on the North Central Association of Accreditation of the Chicago Public School Districts.
Here are some pictures from John's band experiences, copied from the post "Fulfilling a Dream" in the main body of the blog.
AND YET ANOTHER DREAM FULFILLED…
John Hammerle picked up on this idea of “Fullfilling a Dream” with the following series of photos and comments…
From the Deady Band…
To the Dixie Cats at Milby…
To Director of the Westchester High School band in Houston (band shown here forming the “Chase Logo” in New York after the winning performance in the Macy’s Parade)
John went on to win the “Hummer Award” as the outstanding North Texas Director of Fine Arts.
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