2010-2011 Hall of Fame Inductees
Allen Clark
Allen Clark, a native of Dayton, Texas, has participated in the meteoric rise of the Texas band movement as a student, conductor, performer and educator. He currently serves as Director of Instrumental Activities and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and the Rio Bravo Brass Consort; he teaches applied low brass and undergraduate and graduate music courses. He was instrumental in the design of UTB/TSC’s new $26 million Arts Center.
Clark presently serves as a member of the TBA College Advisory Board. He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu Music fraternity. He is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator and has served in various leadership roles in TMEA Regions 15 and 28, where he is presently the UIL Music Executive Secretary.
Allen Clark served in several fine arts administrative positions for the Brownsville Independent School District from 1990 to 2004. During his tenure in administration the district witnessed tremendous growth in the music programs, including the opening of one high school, three additional middle schools and two elementary schools. Clark came to the Rio Grande Valley in 1975 and began his public school career in the Brownsville ISD band program as an assistant director at Homer Hanna High School. In 1982 he became head band director at BISD’s Gladys Porter High School where his bands won numerous sweepstakes awards, and his 1984 symphonic band placed in the top ten bands in the TMEA state honor band competition.
Many of his students have become musicians in military and professional groups, and music educators in various areas across the United States.
With his colleague Jim Knox, Rio Grande Valley Band Directors Hall of Fame Class of 2006-2007, Clark is co-owner of K.C. Recording Company and his hobbies include hunting and relaxing in the Texas hill country. Blessed in their marriage of 37 years, Allen and Kay’s family includes twin sons, Ryan and his wife, Amie, son Andrew and his wife, Keri; youngest son David and his wife, Amanda, and eldest daughter Lauren, her husband Brad and their daughters Tirzah and Keziah.
Cesar Eduardo Garcia Hernandez
Cesar was born Sept. 2nd. 1948, in the border town of Matamoros, Tamp. Mex. to Miguel Leon Garcia and Maria Petra Hernandez de Garcia. Cesar attended elementary school in Matamoros and attended St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville, Tx for middle school and high school. While at St. Joseph Academy, he was introduced to the trumpet and joined the band program.
After graduation, he moved to Guadalajara, Mexico and attended the School of Music of the University of Guadalajara. He played with different music groups and through a friend was hired by the Symphony Orchestra of the Universidad Autonoma of Guadalajara.
After two years he decided to come back to the U.S. and transferred to Texas A&I University in Kingsville where he received his Bachelors Degree in music in 1973. While in Kingsville he met Miss Rosa Vela whom he later married in 1976. He began his band directing career at La Grulla Jr. High in Rio Grande City and then later moved to Zapata, TX where he became the High School Band director.
The Zapata High School Band had numerous awards and achievements under his tenure. The marching band would eventually end up going nine times to the State Marching Contest and would advance seven times as an Honor Band Finalist. In 1994 Mr. Garcia united with Alfredo Cortinas, Rudy Barrera and seven other directors to begin the Roma music program that would later become one of the best in the 4A classification. After two years in Roma, he returned to Zapata and retired in 2002.
Cesar currently resides in Zapata with his wife Rosa. Cesar and Rosa have a daughter and two sons who are all educators. Rosalinda Garcia teaches English at Kingsville ISD, Cesar Garcia is a Criminal Justice teacher at PSJA ISD, and Carlos Garcia is a Band Director at Donna ISD.
Harold J. Rademacher
Harold Rademacher’s teaching career began in 1955 as assistant band director to Mr. Roque Guerra, Rio Grande City, who is also a member of the Band Director’s Hall of Fame. Harold was in Rio Grande City from September 1955 to January 1957, at which time was drafted into the United States Army. After completing basic training ,he served in the Fort Chaffee, Fort Polk and Fort Sam Houston army bands. Harold received an honorable discharge from the army in 1959.
Shortly after his discharge, Harold was hired as band director at San Isidro School in San Isidro, Texas and remained there until 1995 when he retired. During his tenure in San Isidro, his bands participated in the following events: in U.I.L. received 5 Sweepstakes trophies, 7 first divisions, 3 second divisions, and 1 third division.
His bands played for 350 football games, 120 parades, 35 graduations; were recognized with special plaques at the Mission Citrus Fiesta Parades and Mercedes Livestock Show Parades for having atttended more than 30 years each!
His bands also received awards for Best Band at parades in Mission, Rio Grande City, Laredo and were voted Best in Parade at Texas A & I Band Day in Kingsville, Texas.
In 2000 he was asked to return to San Isidro School to teach the San Isidro Junior High Music Program. He did this for the next 5 years then retired once again. During this time, he also taught part time at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in McAllen, a band program of 5th through 8th grade students.
Harold attended the University of Texas in Austin where he was a member of the Symphonic Band, ROTC Band, Jazz Band and a proud member of the Texas Longhorn Band. He received an All Level Music Degree from the University of Pan American in Edinburg.
His pride and joy, besides music, is his family. Harold and his wife Celia have been married for 47 years. They have 3 children: Gary Rademacher from Hurst, Texas; Sheri Coggins from Pharr, Texas; and Cathy Rademacher from Edinburg, Texas. They have 5 grandchildren: Jessica Renee 19, Christyn Leigh 12, David Kyle 12, Kaylee Rebecca 9, and Ryleigh Noelle 10 months old.
“Rads”, as Harold is known, is very well known throughout the valley for his musical talents and showmanship. He has played professionally for 64 years and is still very active. Harold plays at many night spots and for Winter Texan friends.