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.