Floyd Graham

Floyd Freeman Graham (aka 'Fessor) (October 15, 1902 – August 18, 1974 in Denton, Texas) was a US collegiate bandleader and music educator who founded and directed the Aces of Collegeland in 1927, the university dance band, pit orchestra and stage band of the University of North Texas College of Music. He also was a violinist."Social Affairs: Madden-Thomas Marriage," Dallas Morning News, pg. 6, July 11, 1924 The Aces of Collegeland was the forerunner to the One O'Clock Lab Band. Graham laid the groundwork at North Texas for what became the first college degree in jazz studies.

Many of the Ace's band members and Saturday night participants became a "who's who" in the performing arts – as members of famous big bands, film, and singers.

Notable Saturday Night Performers with the Aces"Aces Leave Their Mark on Nation," Denton Record-Chronicle, sec. 3, pg 4, August 28, 1960

Notable "Aces" Alumni

In 1971, the University of North Texas Student Government Association designated him as "Honor Professor,"Pat Colonna, "NT's Professor to Retire after 46 Years," Denton Record-Chronicle, May 11, 1973 and upon retirement May 31, 1973,"NTSU to Honor Retirees," Denton Record-Chronicle, pg. 7A, May 4, 1973 the regents awarded him the lifetime status of professor emeritus."Regents Approve Building," Denton Record-Chronicle, pg. 2A, May 25, 1973 He was the university's first professor emeritus."Floyd Fessor Graham," Denton Record-Chronicle, pg. 4A, August 20, 1974

Education

Graham earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas.

Graham earned a Teachers Certificate from Chicago Musical College in 1927 and a Bachelor of Music degree in violin from Chicago Musical College in August 1931. While attending Chicago Musical College, Graham studied violin with Max Ignatz Fischel (1878–1937) (Head of the Normal Department), ear training with Harold Burnham Maryott (born 1878), music history with Herbert Witherspoon (1873–1935); harmony and counterpoint with Hans Franklin Madsen (1887–1971), and composition, counterpoint, and solfeggio with Wesley LaViolette (1894–1978).Alumni Records, Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University

Graham also earned a Master of Music degree from the American Conservatory of Music."Famous Teachers College Stage Band Starts Jubilee Year with Prospects for Outstanding Season," Denton Record-Chronicle, September 22, 1939

At the American Conservatory of Music, Graham had been a pupil of:

Herbert Dalton Butler (1867–1946) – violin
Leo Sowerby (1895–1968) – composition & counterpoint

In Texas, Graham had been a pupil of:

Carl Venth (1860–1938)

He also had been a pupil of:

Fritz Mahler
Ferde Grofé (1892–1972)Yucca: 50th Anniversary Edition (North Texas State Teachers College yearbook), vol. 34, pg. 341 (1940)

Family and growing up

Floyd Graham was the son of Schyler Colfax Graham (1869–1931), a Denton grocer, and Rockie Virginia Graham née (1879–1954) Freeman. Floyd Graham first exhibited his interest in music by experimenting with a cigar-box violin while in grade school.Obituary: "Floyd Graham, NTSU Music Pioneer, Dies," Dallas Morning News, pg. 3, August 19, 1974 Floyd Graham married Doris Patricia Howard on September 2, 1942."Marriages: Graham–Howard," Dallas Morning News, September 3, 1942 They had a daughter, Patricia (Pati) (Graham) Haworth.

Publications

Floyd Freeman Graham, Public relations in music education, a study, Exposition Press, New York (1954)
Floyd Freeman Graham, For Music Literature, (Unknown Binding) (1965)
Floyd Freeman Graham, For music appreciation; a course outline to supplement the teaching of music appreciation, Denton, Tex., Howard Pub. Co., Denton, TX (1960)

Notes and references

Category:American music educators

Category:1902 births

Category:1974 deaths

Category:American Conservatory of Music alumni

Category:Chicago Musical College alumni

Category:University of North Texas College of Music faculty

Category:American jazz educators

Category:20th-century American musicians