84R1397 RMA-D

By: Gonzales H.R. No. 642

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Family, friends, and members of The University of Texas at Austin community are mourning the loss of Vincent Rairden DiNino, director of bands emeritus at UT, who passed away on September 9, 2014, at the age of 95; and

WHEREAS, Born in Manhattan, Kansas, on October 25, 1918, to Leah DiNino, a concert pianist, and Frank DiNino, a professional clarinetist, Vince DiNino developed a passion for music at an early age; he established a dance band while attending high school and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree from North Dakota State University; and

WHEREAS, During his junior year of college, Mr. DiNino married his high school sweetheart, the former Jane Dahlgren, and over the course of their 67 rewarding years together, they were blessed with two daughters, Dinah and Carmen; after Mrs. DiNino's passing in 2008, Mr. DiNino was fortunate enough to find love again, and he exchanged wedding vows with Timothy Ann Sloan; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DiNino answered his nation's call to duty as a member of the U.S. Army, serving for two years during World War II; after returning to civilian life, he began performing in New York City and Los Angeles as a French hornist and accompanied such legendary artists as Frank Sinatra, Percy Faith, Perry Como, Stan Kenton, and Tommy Dorsey; he later returned to Minnesota, where he worked as director of bands at Alexandria High School and headed the district's music program; and

WHEREAS, In 1955, Mr. DiNino was hired as director of the UT Longhorn Band, which at the time was managed by students and an amateur conductor; over the course of his 30-year tenure, the ensemble grew from 70 members to more than 400, performed at the 1974 Super Bowl and at the inauguration ceremonies of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and traveled across the nation and to South America; moreover, Mr. DiNino helped integrate the program to include women and minorities, and he also selected the Western-style burnt orange uniforms that have since remained the group's signature look; he was promoted to director of UT bands in 1969 and served in that position until 1985; and

WHEREAS, Mr. DiNino's contributions to UT continued long after his retirement; he and his wife Jane were cofounders of the Longhorn Alumni Band, the largest alumni band organization in the country, and they served on its board of directors for many years; in addition, the couple assisted in funding numerous scholarships and establishing an endowed chair for the director of the university's bands and an endowed professorship for the director of the Longhorn Band; Mr. DiNino also made a number of guest appearances with UT ensembles as director of bands emeritus and frequently attended home football games in support of his beloved Longhorns; and

WHEREAS, Earning well-deserved recognition for his extraordinary talent and his dedicated efforts in behalf of UT, Mr. DiNino was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1996 and was named an honorary member of the T-Association, the Silver Spurs Alumni Association, and the Texas Cowboys; he further distinguished himself as a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors National Association, and the American Society of Composers, Arrangers, and Performers, and he was selected as the 2011 Bandmaster of the Year by the Texas Bandmasters Association; and

WHEREAS, An inspiring mentor for countless young musicians, Vince DiNino helped transform the Longhorn band into the world-class Showband of the Southwest, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to resonate at UT for many years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Vincent Rairden DiNino and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Timothy Ann Sloan DiNino; to his daughters, Dinah Rieves and her husband, Mike, and Carmen Alspach and her husband, Rick; to his grandson, Charlie Ward; to his stepsons, Michael Sloan and his wife, Dena, Todd Sloan and his wife, Beth, Patrick Sloan, Geof Sloan Sr. and his wife, Marianne, and Matthew Sloan; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Vincent DiNino.