The GHS Buccaneer Band...Then and Now
The history of the band and the directors who have led it to success
This section of the band web site is still under construction. We would like to thank Mr. Jeff Miller with his help in research and providing some pictures. If you have any information or pictures that you would like to include, please e-mail it to Mr. Rutherford.
Name |
Dates at GHS |
| Winona Waters* (orchestra) |
1924 - ? |
| Wood Ross* (band) | 1925 - 1928 |
| Gilbert Stansell* | 1928 - ? |
| Frank Erwin Watts* | 1935 |
| Prof. Paul Cremaschi* |
1935 - 1937 |
| Robert O. Lampi* |
1937 - 1940 |
| Gilbert Stansell* | 1940 - 1943 |
| Karen Nelson | 1943 - 1944 |
| Sylvia Ost-Falany | 1944 - 1946 |
| John Calman | 1946 - 1950 |
| James F. Clark* | 1950 - 1956 |
| James S. Keating* | 1956 - 1962 |
| Frank R. Young | 1962 - 1964 |
| Lonnie Glenn Tatum* | 1964 - 1967 |
| Robert Wilson | 1968 - 1975 |
| Frank Toia | 1975 - 1977 |
| Edward Francis | 1977 - 1991 |
| Benjamin Hrpka | 1991 - 1994 |
| William L. Rutherford | 1994 - Present |
Table of Gulf High Band Directors (* = known deceased)
When Gulf High School opened its doors in 1922 on Grand Boulevard in New Port Richey, band as we know it today was not offered. Archived pictures and early publications hinted at general music classes with small ensembles involving piano, strings, and percussion. In fact, the first graduation in 1924 included musical selections performed by voice and piano. The pianist at the first graduation in 1924 was Mittye Walker Pierce who later married and eventually became Mittye P. Locke, of which Locke Elementary is named in her honor as she served as their principal for over 20 years (her granddaughter is Mrs. Rutherford, our color guard sponsor).
In 1924, the school acquires its first orchestra -- eight pieces, including strings. Winona Waters organized the High School Orchestra, comprising these eight pieces in 1925. The newspaper column "Early Days in New Port Richey" by John W. Parkes of May 22, 1958, has: "Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Waters were among the first young couples whom we met in those good old early days. Mrs. Waters, who began teaching at Gulf High School in 1924, organized the first high school orchestra in the city. It was composed of her violin students and pupils in the school, who were learning other instruments. Mittye Walker Pierce, now Mrs. Floyd Locke, who was attending Gulf High at the time, was her first pianist. From that small beginning was formed the Gulf High School band directed by Wood Ross, now deceased, and later taken over by Gilbert Stansell, who did a splendid job of developing an outstanding band which did much to favorably publicize New Port Richey. Mr. Stansell will be remembered by many of the "old timers" as being the husband of Marguerite Ahrens, daughter of Mrs. Jeanette Hewitt. Mrs. Hewitt is an outstanding musician herself, and has taught many young folk to play the piano, even before the incorporation of the city."
During the 1920's, bands were beginning to form as the military bands from World War I became popular.Gulf High School was no exception, and as can be seen from the photo below, a fairly decent size band was generated in 1928 by director Gilbert Stansell. Note that the french horn in the lower right corner of the photo uses pistons and not rotary valves like we use today.
On Nov. 30, 1928, the New Port Richey Press reports: "The effort on the part of Superintendent Bremner to inject more interest in the Gulf High School curriculum by the organization of a band and orchestra, comprising pupils of the different grades, received expert recognition this week. Last evening the band entertained the visitors and members of the local Knights of Pythias lodge. Among the appreciative hearers was George Lynch, superintendent of public instruction of Pinellas County. Mr. Lynch praised the efforts of the band unstintedly, and was surprised to note the disparity of age and size of the performers. The oldest member is not quite 19, and the youngest hardly 10. The band is made up of instruments as great in variety as grown-up organizations, and executed with genuine, youthful pride and enthusiasm. Gilbert Stansell is the director. The school band, augmented by the Gulf High Glee club, went on the air over WFLA at Clearwater Friday evening."
The following articles were discovered and scanned by current math teacher and GHS web master Mr. Jeff Miller:
On Dec. 4, 1936, the New Port Richey Press reports: "Prof. Paul Cremaschi and his Gulf Hi Band deserve much credit for their wonderful performance at the Lawn Fete last Tuesday night. With no previous rehearsal the band played for the acts of the 'Marvelous Melville' as he held the spectators spellbound with his daring feats. The band members, even though they were thrilled as they watched, played on like professionals."
During World War II, the marching band movement became very popular as it helped lift the moods and morale of America. This movement carried over into the public schools and the first evidence of a marching band program at Gulf can be found in 1940. At that time, the band was led by a young director by the name of Robert O. Lampi (d.1985) who began teaching music at GHS from 1937 to 1940. He is in the front row left of the photo below.
Mr. Lampi set the band in motion and started the first marching band at Gulf High. Mr. Lampi moved on in the band world in the state of Florida and was one of the founding members of the Florida Bandmasters Association, which we are governed under to this day. The FBA Concert Band Superior Award is named in his honor. Below is a quote from the FBA Handbook which describes the importance of Mr. Lampi's influence had on the organization:
"In 1983, F. Lewis Jones, now holding the title of Executive Director replaced Robert O. Lampi, who had served as Executive Secretary so ably and competently with superb loyalty and dedication for 36 years. The influence that Mr. Lampi exerted throughout the years contributed in large measure to the considerable success of the FBA. He served as Consultant of the Association until his death in 1985."
The GHS Band in 1947. Mr. John Calman, Director.
Mr. James F. Clark (1926-2001) was band director from 1950 to 1956 and made a big impact on the student body. In the Spring of 1956, the students staged a strike due to three popular teachers not being hired back for the next school year...Mr. Clark was one of those teachers. Mr. Clark eventually retired from music, but remained in the area due to his strong family ties to New Port Richey. He became a private music teacher to many budding musicians, one of them was current GHS band director William L. Rutherford. The two would meet once a week and work on playing technique, sight reading, and music theory. Mr. Clark is also the father of Larry Clark who has become a well-known part of the band world as an arranger and composer of band literature, and he, too is a band alumnus (class of 1980). Formerly director of bands at Syracuse University and arranger with Warner Brothers Music Publishing, Larry is now vice-president of Carl Fischer Music Publishers, one of the largest music publishers in the country. Jim Clark was also an area performer and was the founder of the Richey Big Band. Mr. Clark was a graduate of the University of Tampa.
The GHS Band in 1956...Mr. James F. Clark, Director (pictured left)
Mr. Clark has the band form a 'G' on the field as part of their performance in 1953.
The next director to be recognized was James S. Keating, who was director from 1956 - 1962. Like Mr. Clark, he too was well liked and very successful.The 1962 yearbook was dedicated to him.
Mr. Keating in the 1958, 1959, and 1962 yearbooks.
Mr. Keating's 1962 yearbook dedication.
1958 GHS Band
The GHS Band in 1959
The GHS Band marches south on Grand Boulevard in 1959.
GHS Band in 1960 Yearbook
Mr. Keating (rear center) participates with GHS Band Drum Majorette and baton twirlers in a presentation in 1961.
Yearbook entry in 1961.
The GHS Band in 1962, Mr. Keating is seated at far left in white uniform.
Yearbook entry in 1962. Mr. Keating is in the back row center.
In 1963, Mr. Frank Young became director and remained so until the end of the 1963-64 school year.
Yearbook entry in 1963. Mr. Young is in front row right.
Mr. Lonnie Tatum took the reigns of the Gulf High Band in 1964 and directed band and chorus until 1967. His son, Darryl, was a member of the band from 1985-1989 and was a bandmate of our current director. Mr. Tatum would eventually move on to become principal of Anclote Elementary in New Port Richey and ironically would be current GHS band director William Rutherford's elementary school principal at Anclote from 1977-1982. Second former GHS band director to come in contact with 'Big R' as he grows up in New Port Richey...strange...
These pictures were taken from the 1964, 1965, and 1967 yearbooks.
The GHS Band participates in a parade through downtown Tarpon Springs in 1964.
Band members pose for the yearbook in 1964.
The GHS Band officers and Mr. Tatum in 1964.
Yearbook entry in 1965.
Drum Majors and Majorettes in 1965.
Yearbook entry in 1966.
Majorettes and candid band pics in 1966.
More scenes from the 1966 yearbook.
Music activities in 1967.
Yearbook entry in 1967.
Mr. Robert Wilson becomes the next noted band director at GHS from 1968 to 1977 when it was located at what is now known as Gulf Middle School on Louisiana Avenue in New Port Richey. When the new Gulf Junior High building was switched with the high school, Mr. Wilson stayed and became the band director at Gulf Middle School. Current GHS band director Mr. Rutherford took band classes from Mr. Wilson at Gulf Middle School from 1982-1984. A third former GHS band director touches 'Big R's life...do I hear Twilight Zone music playing???
Mr. Robert Wilson in his first year in 1964.
Pregame scenes in 1968.
Pages in 1968 yearbook
Yearbook entry in 1968.
On the field in 1969...
...and in the stands at a game in 1969.
(left)Mr. Wilson in thought, 1969. This room is still the band room at Gulf MS. (right)1969 yearbook.
Various pics from the 1969 yearbook.
Performing in the gymnasium in 1970.
Yearbook pics of 1970
More 1970 yearbook pictures.
Mr. Wilson in 1971.
1971 yearbook pics.
1972 picture of Mr. Wilson and a student.
1972 yearbook pics.
1972 GHS Concert Band
Mr. Connie Perdue (Chorus) and
Mr. Robert Wilson (Band) in 1973.
Mr. Frank Toia became the band director in 1975 and was a well-liked teacher according to some of his former students. The band continued to gain momentum as a respected program and Mr. Toia worked hard at improving the band's abilities.
Mr. Edward Francis is probably the most successful and well-known of all of Gulf High's band directors. Mr. Franics took over when the building on School Road was converted into Gulf High School from Gulf Junior High School in 1977 when Robert Wilson decided to stay on Louisiana Ave. and become the director at Gulf Junior High School. Ed Francis took the band to new heights and put it on the map as one of the finest band programs in central Florida. His bands won numerous awards in marching, concert, and jazz bands. His students were extremely successful in selections for the annual All-County band and they also received many accolades in solo and ensemble evaluations. Mr. Francis also was responsible for starting the tradition of traveling to Washington D.C. every four years so that his students can not only share their musical talents with others, but to also learn about our government and our nation's history. He served as band director when Mr. Rutherford spent his four years at Gulf High and it is his striving for excellence that encouraged 'Big R' to become a band director himself. Mr. Francis also served two terms as District Chairman with the Florida Bandmasters Association. In 1991, he decided to change scenery and was the first director of bands at River Ridge High School where he spent 1 1/2 years. He then moved on to Hudson High School where he spent 4 years until his retirement in 1998.
Mr. Benjamin Hrpka followed Mr. Francis and spent three years at GHS. He now teaches elementary music at Northwest Elementary in Hudson, Florida.
Mr. William L. Rutherford became Gulf's director of bands in 1994 after his graduation from the University of South Florida with a bachelors of science degree in music education.Gulf High was actually the last place that 'Big R' (as his students call him) thought he would teach! You can read all about him on the Bio page.