by Gary Powell
No single person has influenced me musically more than Al Autrey. For six years at Sam Houston State University, he was my choir director, my voice teacher, my conducting teacher, my mentor and my friend. I was a pall bearer at his funeral in 1988 and I miss him dearly.
There is hardly any piece of music I’ve written that does not reflect some portion of what Al Autrey instilled in me as a conductor, composer and person. I can only hope my contribution to the whole of the musical lexicon honors him as my friend and my teacher and in some small way honors all music educators who have touched us in profound ways beyond simply reading eighth notes and quarter rests.
I will share this one piece of advice from Al Autrey’s incredible musicality.
Every musical event or moment, has both a preparation and release. – Alvis Murray Autrey
Contained in this simple statement, every instant within a composition or performance or even a life becomes purposeful. Thank you, Alvis Murray Autrey, for the gift and depth of your musical understanding.
I believe this is the same Alvis Autrey who was my choir director in Harlingen, Texas, in 1956 and 1957. He was a terrific musician, and he introduced me and some friends to barbershop harmony. We started a quartet under his tutelage and he taught us valuable lessons about phrasing and close harmony. Years later, I joined The Vocal Majority, a men’s barbershop chorus based in Dallas. It was and is arguably the best such chorus of all time because they, like Mr. Autrey, were fanatically meticulous about the details of voice performance. Even after all these years, I think of Mr. Autrey from time to time. So, I add my thank you to him also.
Gary, yes this is the same Al Autrey. I’m so happy to hear from someone else who was mentored by Mr. Autrey. I’m now back on the music faculty at the University of Texas in Austin where I get to return the favor and channel Al Autrey daily. I really miss him. And yes, the Vocal Majority has always been amazing. My best wishes to you. – Gary Powell
Gary,
Thank you for creating this page. Because of Mr. Autrey (later Dr. Autrey) I changed my major from Nursing to Music. I still remember when said to me with those twinkling black eyes “do you plan on healing patients by singing to them?” From then on I let him lead me through many musical experiences in San Antonio. Those were participating in the San Antonio Meistersingers, the Metropolitan Opera Productions (La Boheme, Aida, La Traviata, Carmen to name a few)(in the chorus of course), the 1960 performance of “the Alamo” premier conducted by Dmitri Tiompkin, also memorable was the performance of the Verdi “Requiem”, and being a member of Mr. Autrey’s Acappella Choir and Madrigal groups. The repertoire we covered in San Antonio was amazing. He even took me to my audition in Austin UT with Willa Stewart. It was 1962 by this time and from this point on Dr.Beachy & Charlotte DuBoise were in charge. I ended up teaching elementary music for over 30 years.
So thank you Gary Powell for allowing me to pay tribute to Mr. Al Autrey.
The photo you featured of him reminded me of the a story he told to our class about taking Alfio Pinotti, the Concert Master for the San Antonio Symphony, fishing. He said he didn’t know how Mr Pinotti enjoyed it but HE had to spend all his time baiting Pinotti’s hooks and taking his fish off the line because Pinotti couldn’t risk an injury to his fingers!