Texas Band Masters Hall of Fame

For more than 4 decades, a San Angelo native has directed his students through the world of music. Ralph Zamarippa Jr. a Lake View Alumni is being honored for his work at the end of this month, with an induction into the Texas Band Masters Hall of Fame. It’s been the masterpiece of Ralph Zamarripa Jr’s life for 44 years, directing students about his song of life, music. “I didn’t decide to become one, I just became one.” Zamarripa says. Straight out of graduating from Sul Ross University, Zamarripa began his first job at Van Horn in August 1964, in which he remembers like the back of his hand. “Oh do I ever, like what am I doing here and what am I going to do here literally. I don’t think there’s any college course that prepares you for an experience of sitting there in front of kids and get them started,” Zamarripa says. And he did get the ball rolling his first year. He turned a 27 member band into 82 members. His achievements didn’t stop there in the five different schools he won various awards including several sweepstakes and music festivals. “Make sure they know how to read, understand, and completely enjoy the music literally,” Zamarripa says. This week he is continuing that teaching where he is participating in the 33rd ASU Band Camp. His career in music began as a baritone player for Lake View HS, in which he graduated in 1955 and later became a member of the 82nd Army’s Airborne Division Band before attending college. His dedication to his job will be honored July 22nd by being inducted into one of the greatest honors for a Lone Star Band Director, The Texas Band Masters Hall of Fame. “What got me was I asked? What’s the criteria for this? ‘Well, you have to be over 65 and or dead.’ And I thought okay, I meet one of those.” And though he’s not at the end of his score yet directing, Zamarripa will continue with his career. “I’ll go until I’m not effective, get tired of it maybe you know, but as long as we’re having success getting kids to enjoy music and teach music, I’ll continue,” Zamarripa adds. Zamarripa’s induction will take place in San Antonio on July 22nd, there is 7 other band directors who will also be honored. He is currently a band director at Plainview Estacado Jr. High.