News In Memoriam


Floyd Claude McClure August 28, 1914 - December 3, 2005


Floyd C. McClure was born August 28, 1914


in Oakley, Illinois. He graduated from Decatur High School in Decatur, Illinois in 1933. He received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Murray State College, Murray, Kentucky in 1937 and attended the University of Alabama from 1938 to 1941.


He was band director at Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Alabama from 1937 until 1940; Coffee High School in Florence, Alabama from 1940 until 1972 where he taught band, glee club, biology, American gov- ernment and economics. In 1972 he organized the new Weeden Junior High School Band and was their director until his retirement in 1976.


During Mr. McClure’s


tenure at Coffee High School the band was consis- tently awarded Superior and Excellent ratings at State Competition.


They performed frequently in


Mardi Gras parades in Mobile and New Orleans; performed at the Lion’s International Convention in Miami, Florida and the Orange Bowl Parade on two occasions.


He was a charter member of the Alabama


Bandmasters Association in 1939 and was among those who were responsible for organizing the first All-State Bands (there were two bands then). He later served as Vice-President and then as President from 1947. He pushed through legislation to author- ize an ABA State Band Contest and organized the first one in 1947. It was held at the University of Alabama with 17 bands participating. He also organized the first All-State Band and Choral Festival held at the University of Alabama in 1947.


February 2006


Mr. McClure was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1984. He died on December 3, 2005 leaving two daughters, Marilyn Camp of San Antonio, Texas and Jackie Williams of Prattville, Alabama; four grandchildren and six great- grandchildren.


"During Mr. Mac's long career, he taught generations from many families. He also taught some lessons which are more important than playing the right note or rhythm. He taught his students personal responsi- bility, self-discipline, teamwork and pride in doing one's best. I think these are the lessons most people remember when they think of Mr. Mac." - John Bradley


ala breve 43 President of the


He was a charter member, President and Vice- Alabama Music Educators


Association. He is a past member of AEA, NEA, MENC, AMEA, and Phi Beta Mu and was a charter member of Gamma Delta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha.


Mac, as he was known to his friends, played with the Huntsville Symphony, the Florence Civic Orchestra and the Florence Big Band. He had a large number of students who became band directors. Mr. McClure was Choir Director at the First Methodist Church in Florence and for 20 years was Choir Director at


Trinity


Episcopal Church. He organized and directed the


Tri-Cities


Oratorio Association which pre- sented “Messiah”, Brahms’ “Requiem” and “Elijah”. He was


President of the Florence Teachers Association and was Treasurer for 10 years.


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