Floyd Freeman Graham (aka 'Fessor) (October 15, 1902 – August 18, 1974 in Denton, Texas) was a US collegiate bandleader and music educator who founded and directed the Aces of Collegeland in 1927, the university dance band, pit orchestra and stage band of the University of North Texas College of Music. He also was a violinist.[1] The Aces of Collegeland was the forerunner to the One O'Clock Lab Band. Graham laid the groundwork at North Texas for what became the first college degree in jazz studies.
Many of the Ace's band members and Saturday night participants became a "who's who" in the performing arts – as members of famous big bands, film, and singers.
Notable Saturday Night Performers with the Aces[2]
In 1971, the University of North Texas Student Government Association designated him as "Honor Professor,"[3] and upon retirement May 31, 1973,[4] the regents awarded him the lifetime status of professor emeritus.[5] He was the university's first professor emeritus.[6]
Floyd Graham was the son of Schyler Colfax Graham (1869–1931), a Denton grocer, and Rockie Virginia Graham née (1879–1954) Freeman. Floyd Graham first exhibited his interest in music by experimenting with a cigar-box violin while in grade school.[10]
Floyd Graham married Doris Patricia Howard on September 2, 1942.[11] They had a daughter, Patricia (Pati) (Graham) Haworth.
'Fessor Graham Award for Faculty[]
In 1958, the North Texas student body established the 'Fessor Graham Award, the highest honor bestowed by the students to a faculty member. The award recognizes one faculty member each year for outstanding and unselfish service beyond the call of duty to students.
Floyd Graham, Music, 1958
Beulah Harriss, PE & Intercollegiate Women's Athletics, 1959
David W. Hill, Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation, 2005
Kimi King, Political Science, 2006
Dee C. Ray, Counseling and Higher Education, 2007
Donna Ledgerwood, Human Resources Management, 2008
Lyndal M. Bullock, Education, 2009
Gloria Cox, Political Science & Dean of the Honors College, 2010
Armin R. Mikler, Computer Science and Engineering, 2011
Shahla Ala'i-Rosales, Behavior Analysis, 2012
Andrew Enterline, Political Science, 2013
Brian Lain, Communications Studies, 2014
Bethany Blackstone, Political Science, 2015
Michael Thompson, Philosophy and Religion, 2016
Floyd Graham Memorial Scholarship[]
The College of Music offers a scholarship as a memorial to Floyd Graham, sponsored by the Floyd Graham Society.
Recipients
2007 — Sam Reid, Saxophone
North Texas Jazz Festival's Floyd 'Fessor Graham Award[]
TheNorth Texas Jazz Festival established the Floyd 'Fessor Graham Award for the outstanding high school or middle school vocal group. The winner performs during one of the evening's "pro" concerts.
Publications[]
Floyd Freeman Graham, Public relations in music education, a study, Exposition Press, New York (1954)
Floyd Freeman Graham, For Music Literature, (Unknown Binding) (1965)
Floyd Freeman Graham, For music appreciation; a course outline to supplement the teaching of music appreciation, Denton, Tex., Howard Pub. Co., Denton, TX (1960)