By Berlanga                                           H.R. No. 1287

         75R12468 RVH-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The recent passing of Dr. Oscar D. Yancey on

 1-2     February 7, 1997, at the age of 66, has brought a great loss to the

 1-3     many friends, relatives, and students of this man, who was one of

 1-4     Corpus Christi's most esteemed music educators and scholars; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he was born October

 1-6     4, 1930; after earning a bachelor of science degree from Memphis

 1-7     State University in 1952, Dr. Yancey joined the United States Navy

 1-8     and was accepted into the Naval School of Music, performing with

 1-9     the Navy band of the USS Hornet during its only world tour; and

1-10           WHEREAS, On completion of his military service, Dr. Yancey

1-11     continued to pursue his love for music, earning a master of music

1-12     degree with a performer's certificate from prestigious Indiana

1-13     University in 1958; he went on to teach at Kansas Wesleyan

1-14     University for several years before culminating his studies with a

1-15     doctorate in music from his graduate alma mater; and

1-16           WHEREAS, In 1969 Dr. Yancey moved to Corpus Christi to join

1-17     the faculty of the renowned music department at Del Mar College,

1-18     where for more than 20 years as a professor of music, he taught

1-19     piano, music literature, and humanities and served as music

1-20     librarian until his retirement; and

1-21           WHEREAS, During his distinguished career, he earned

1-22     widespread acclaim for his great artistry as a soloist on both the

1-23     piano and the harpsichord, and in performances he was known to

1-24     display a daring and exciting flair for improvisation; he also

 2-1     collaborated with many fine musicians in memorable ensemble

 2-2     performances, and he played the  double bass with several

 2-3     orchestras, including the Corpus Christi Symphony; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, In the course of his career, Dr. Yancey helped to

 2-5     instill a love and appreciation of fine music in many Corpus

 2-6     Christi youth; as a teacher of piano, he enhanced the natural

 2-7     abilities of his students by drawing on the legacy of musical

 2-8     understanding and sensitivity handed down to him by the  great

 2-9     teachers of his day; his patience, understanding, and willingness

2-10     to spend extra time with his students were among his greatest

2-11     qualities; and

2-12           WHEREAS, Deeply committed to keeping classical music alive in

2-13     the Coastal Bend area, Dr. Yancey, despite his professional

2-14     commitments, gave freely of his time as a board member of the

2-15     Corpus Christi Chamber Music Society, as a member of the Music

2-16     Teachers National Association, and as an instructor at piano camps

2-17     for children of all ages; and

2-18           WHEREAS, A man of gentle demeanor, great warmth, and keen

2-19     intelligence, Dr. Yancey was loved and respected by all who had the

2-20     privilege to share the music and friendship of this remarkable

2-21     individual; though his presence will be deeply missed, his memory

2-22     will long endure in the hearts of those whose lives he touched

2-23     during his time on this earth; now, therefore, be it

2-24           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-25     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Oscar D. Yancey

2-26     and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends: to his

2-27     half-brother, Roy L. Dalton of Saucier, Mississippi; to his nieces

 3-1     and nephews; and to all the relatives, friends, colleagues, and

 3-2     students of this beloved man; and, be it further

 3-3           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 3-4     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

 3-5     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

 3-6     Dr. Oscar D. Yancey.