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The Abilene High School Eagle Band was founded in October 15, 1926 by Dr. Raymond T. "Prof" Bynum, thereby earning the distinction as "The Oldest Marching Band in Texas." The original instrumentation of the Band included cornet, saxophone, trombone, clarinet, bass, and drums and the few practices they held took place at night and once a week.
Weathering both the Great Depression and World War II, the "Oldest Marching Band in Texas", continued to establish itself under the leadership of "Prof" Bynum until he left AHS to become the Bandmaster at McMurry College (now McMurry University); a post he would hold until 1972.
Bynum was succeeded by Robert Fielder in 1946. Fielder, an alum of AHS, led the band until 1961 and is credited as having begun the stage band at AHS: a legacy which would later evolve into the Eagle Jazz program that we enjoy today.
As a part of its storied history, the Eagle Band includes performances for heads of state, such as the President of Ireland as a part of the Dublin and Limerick St. Patrick's Day Parades and U. S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Additionally, the Eagle Band has performed alongside the Russian Red Army Band, marched in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City honoring the fallen firefighters and other first responders that died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, and has participated in the Walt Disney World Magic Music Days parade on multiple occasions. The Eagle Band has been a consistent UIL Sweepstakes-winning program for many years.
Weathering both the Great Depression and World War II, the "Oldest Marching Band in Texas", continued to establish itself under the leadership of "Prof" Bynum until he left AHS to become the Bandmaster at McMurry College (now McMurry University); a post he would hold until 1972.
Bynum was succeeded by Robert Fielder in 1946. Fielder, an alum of AHS, led the band until 1961 and is credited as having begun the stage band at AHS: a legacy which would later evolve into the Eagle Jazz program that we enjoy today.
As a part of its storied history, the Eagle Band includes performances for heads of state, such as the President of Ireland as a part of the Dublin and Limerick St. Patrick's Day Parades and U. S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Additionally, the Eagle Band has performed alongside the Russian Red Army Band, marched in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City honoring the fallen firefighters and other first responders that died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, and has participated in the Walt Disney World Magic Music Days parade on multiple occasions. The Eagle Band has been a consistent UIL Sweepstakes-winning program for many years.
*History of the Eagle Band provided by Michelle Lessing
