The Raul A. Gonzalez Fine Arts Center Dedicated by Eagle Pass Independent School District on March 3rd

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018

The Eagle Pass Independent School District (EPISD) held the dedication ceremony of The Raul A. Gonzalez Fine Arts Center on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the District’s Student Activity Center in a moving and emotional ceremony in honor of former Eagle Pass High School Band and Music Director Raul A. Gonzalez.

Master of Ceremony Daniella Byrne, EPISD Public Information Officer, welcomed the over 300 guests in attendance to the historic dedication ceremony and introduced the public dignitaries present at the ceremony.

The Eagle Pass High School Texas 92nd Air Force Junior ROTC presented the Colors at the dedication ceremony while Eagle Pass High School Alumni Rita Lopez Ortiz sang a bold and beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. Eagle Pass C.C. Winn High School Band Drum Major Matthew Uriegas led the audience in the United States Pledge of Allegiance.

Father Richard Kulwiec, OMI, of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church presented the Invocation at the ceremony.

Eagle Pass High School graduate and local attorney Ruben O. Valadez presented an eloquent speech in honor of Raul A. Gonzalez on behalf of all former Eagle Pass High School Mighty Eagle Band and Music students. Valadez stated that Raul A. Gonzalez taught him and all band students salient values and characteristics as members of the Eagle Pass High School Mighty Eagle Band and Music Program that established their foundation of success in their lives.  Valadez noted that Gonzalez instilled and demanded from his students to always do their best in all of their activities, including music playing, marching, posture, and everything. Valadez added that Gonzalez taught all his band students to have self-esteem and confidence in themselves as well as have pride in their school, band, and the community of Eagle Pass. Valadez concluded that Gonzalez’s passion for music and band instruction was infused into every one of his students, establishing a solid educational foundation for success in life.

Eagle Pass citizen extraordinaire and businessman Humberto “Beto” Garza also addressed the audience informing them of the history of the formation of the Eagle Pass High School Mighty Eagle Band Booster Club at the request of Raul A. Gonzalez in 1981. Garza noted that Gonzalez established a tradition of excellence at Eagle Pass High School, raising the Mighty Eagle Band as one of the best in the State of Texas.  Garza added that Gonzalez introduced Mariachi Music at Eagle Pass High School and founding the school’s Mariachi Aguilas de Oro, elevating the Mariachi group among the best in Texas. Garza concluded recognizing Gonzalez as leading the Eagle Pass High School Mighty Eagle Band earn a First Division UIL Marching Division Rating in his first year as Band and Music Director in 1981 and each year during his 22 years as Director.

EPISD Superintendent Gilberto Gonzalez presented the guest of honor, Raul A. Gonzalez, and his accomplishments during his 22 year tenure as the Eagle Pass High School Head Band Director.  Superintendent Gonzalez noted that Raul A. Gonzalez was born on May 20, 1949 to the late Raul V. Gonzalez and Ninfa Gonzalez in Del Rio, Texas.  Raul A. Gonzalez received a Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music from Texas A & I University (now Texas A & M University-Kingsville) in Kingsville, Texas. Upon graduating, Raul A. Gonzalez became the Crystal City High School Head Band Director for several years before former Superintendent James Lehmann hired Gonzalez to become the Eagle Pass High School Head Band Director in 1981. Under Raul A. Gonzalez’s leadership and his staff, Eagle Pass High School Mighty Eagle Band went on to earn 22 consecutive years of First Division UIL Sweepstakes Awards and introduced Mariachi Music classes into the Fine Arts curriculum. Since Raul A. Gonzalez’s retirement in 2003, the Mighty Eagle Band has continued to achieve a First Division Sweepstakes Award each year, now 37 consecutive years.

Superintendent Gilberto Gonzalez informed the audience that Raul A. Gonzalez was named to the Phi Beta Mu Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in July 2015.  Upon retiring from Eagle Pass High School in 2003, Raul A. Gonzalez was a part-time Music Consultant in Del Rio, Texas until 2011.  Raul A. Gonzalez is active with the Catholic Church in Eagle Pass and is a member of the ACTS community. He also founded the Eagle Pass Catholic Mens Choir and serves as its Director.   Raul A. Gonzalez is married to his lovely wife, Rosalinda Barrera de Gonzalez for 44 years and they have three children and five grandchildren.

EPISD Board of Trustees President Lupita Fuentes officially pronounced the dedication of the EPISD Fine Arts Center in honor of Raul A. Gonzalez.  Fuentes stated that she could not think of a better person to name the Fine Arts Center than Raul A. Gonzalez.

Guest of Honor Raul A. Gonzalez thanked all his music band directors and colleagues for teaching him to learn and appreciate music as an artistic form and career.  He thanked his Del Rio High School Band Director, whom attended the ceremony together with his wife, for teaching him to have passion for music.   He also thanked his mentor, Mr. Galvan, for allowing him to do his student teaching with him and taught him how to be the best band director.  Gonzalez recognized several college band students who were with him at Texas A & I University and high school band directors who influenced him and joined him at the dedication ceremony.  Gonzalez thanked former EPISD Superintendent James Lehmann for recruiting him to come teach in Eagle Pass and believing in him. Gonzalez also thanked his former students, parents, and staff for allowing him to teach music during his 22 years at EPISD. Gonzalez thanked the Lord as well as his 90 year old mother and deceased father and entire family for supporting him throughout all these years.

Raul A. Gonzalez stated that he always strove to teach his music students to become the best and to always do their best every time. Gonzalez added that he taught and demanded from his former students to have confidence and self-esteem and have passion in everything they did in life, particularly in music.  He credited Eagle Pass students and their parents for believing in his music program and being so supportive throughout his 22 year tenure. He stated that he was deeply honored and humble in having the EPISD Fine Arts Center named in his honor and thanked the entire community of Eagle Pass and Maverick County for this honor.

During the ceremony, a group of former music students of Raul A. Gonzalez gathered and quickly formed the Eagle Pass High School Alumni Mariachi to serenade their mentor and perform at the dedication ceremony.  EPHS Alumni Mariachi members included Jerry Perez, Karla Recio, Jerry Lopez, Rita Lopez Ortiz, Mario Rodriguez, Jr., Melina Morales Mendoza, and Rosie Gonzalez-Morales. Guests were treated to a professional, high quality Mariachi musical concert.  Gonzalez was surprised by a serenade from his Eagle Pass Catholic Men’s Choir too. The dedication ceremony was a resounding success. A reception followed the ceremony.