How We Began
The band was formed in 1981 by Larry Correll, a former Canyon High School band director in conjunction with the Comal Independent School District’s community education program. The band operates as a volunteer, non-profit organization. We enjoy providing musical entertainment to a number of local events including Wurstfest, the annual Town Lighting, and Fourth of July parade.
Our Director Al
Al, as his friends call him, is a San Antonio native. At an early age, he was interested in seeking adventure as an Army musician and, after five years at Fort Sam Houston, was able to achieve his goal of becoming an Army Band Master.
As a Bandmaster, he served two tours in Viet Nam and was given the opportunity to serve two tours in Germany, the first in Berlin and later in Wurzburg where he developed his passion for the music of Germany and its proper performance. Al has also conducted bands in the Republic of Vietnam, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium. Switzerland, the German Democratic Republic, France, and Morocco. He retired from the Army in 1984 and returned to San Antonio.
Not content with his second career in civil service, he sought further adventure with the Department of Justice as an Immigration Inspector. Those duties took him to Brownsville, Texas, Calais, Maine, and Toronto, Ontario, which gave him the opportunity to perform with the McAllen Town Band in Texas, and the Mississauga Pops in Canada. Retiring a second time, he once again returned to San Antonio.
Al has attended Texas A& I University, St. Mary’s University, Cameron University, the US Army Bandmaster Course of Instruction, Kneller Hall, the Royal Military School of Music.
An active musician in the San Antonio area, Al performs professionally with The Tubameisters and teaches privately. He is also the Music Director of the San Antonio Symphonic Band and the New Braunfels Village Brass Band. His professional memberships include Texas Bandmaster Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the Association of Concert Bands.
