Dennis Lee Eichler was born in Alice, Texas on March 2, 1955, to Denver and Sadie Juergens Eichler. Denver worked in the oil field and Sadie was a homemaker. Dennis has two sisters, Delphine Bowie and Linda Milhouse (deceased). He has one brother, Denver (Buddy) Eichler.

Dennis’ love of music began at an early age when he would sneak into his sister’s room to listen to her records while she was at school. At Memorial Junior High, Dennis was active in sports, playing football, basketball, and track, as well as band. Under the guidance of Manuel “Meme” Mireles, Dennis won first chair alto saxophone in All Region Band.

At Alice High School, Dennis was blessed to have been taught by one of the icons in the band world, Bryce Taylor (HOF 1992). During those three years under Mr. Taylor, Dennis absorbed many lifelong lessons on the skills necessary to be a successful band student and director. He won many awards including second chair All-State band, and he was band president his senior year. Dennis will be forever grateful for the education and support he received from Mr. Taylor, his staff, and the faculty at Alice High School.

Dennis received an Associate in Arts degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. While at Del Mar, he was fortunate to be under the baton of Richard Kole (HOF 1993). Mr. Kole’s insight into the beauty of musical expression left a lasting impression on Dennis for which he will be eternally indebted. During his years at Del Mar College, Dennis was invited by
Dr. Leroy Osmon to teach private lessons at Flower Bluff Junior High. This position confirmed Dennis’ passion for music education. After graduation from Del Mar, Dennis attended Corpus Christi State University receiving a Bachelor of Music degree.

In 1984, Dennis received a Master of Education from the University of Houston with a major in music education and a minor in conducting. At this time, Dennis had the opportunity to work with the band legend, Eddie Green (HOF 2005) on conducting, score study and rehearsal strategies. He continued taking score study from Mr. Green for several years. It was a great privilege to spend so much time sharpening his band directing skills with Mr. Green’s guidance.

Dennis had an extensive educational career in band and orchestra. He began his teaching career in 1977. After student teaching at W. B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi, he was offered a position there as assistant band director until 1978.

In 1978, Dennis then went to Goose Creek CISD working at Lee High School as an assistant band director and director of jazz band until 1985. During this time, he developed a close working relationship with Ben Gollehon (HOF 2002), Director of Fine Arts. Mr. Gollehon was an insightful mentor who challenged Dennis to broaden his musical abilities by teaching orchestra as well as band. Dennis became Instrumental Music Department Head as well as Director of Bands, String and Symphony orchestras at Ross Sterling High School in 1985 until 2001.

Dennis was appointed Director of Instrumental Music at Lee College and served from 2002 to 2007. He founded and directed the Baytown Concert Band during this time. From 2004 to 2015, he was the Director of Baytown Symphony Orchestra replacing Dr. David Corder, the BSO founder.

From 2008 to 2016, Dennis was the band director at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. He became Director of Bands at Lone Star College North Harris from 2016 to 2021. Currently he is an adjunct professor for Lone Star College Kingwood directing the Kingwood Big Band.

Throughout his tenure as a music educator, Dennis’ concert bands, jazz bands and orchestras won consistent UIL Sweepstakes awards along with outstanding band and orchestra awards from various festivals across the United States. On three occasions, Ross Sterling High School marching band represented Area E at the UIL State Marching contest. Dennis is grateful for all of the talented and dedicated students, the hard-working parents and assistant directors who helped to make all of this possible.

The Bayou Big Band, a community jazz ensemble, was founded and directed by Dennis in 1984. The BBB has performed for many events in the Gulf Coast area as well as jazz festivals in Mexico. He currently performs with various combos in the Houston area.

Dennis is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout Texas. He has a passion for mentoring young band and orchestra directors by performing clinics with their groups as well as developing score study, classroom management, music selection and music pedagogy strategies with them.

He is actively involved with the music ministry at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands, Texas. Dennis also participates in the Kolbe Prison Ministry bringing the love of God to incarcerated men. He was blessed to touch the lives of the men in the solitary confinement unit with his music.

In his leisure time, Dennis enjoys creating pottery, gardening, and traveling. He delights in spending time with his wife, Lynda, son, Jeff Shealey, daughter-in-law, Monica and grandson, Triston, family and friends. Dennis can’t say enough about his wonderful wife. Lynda has been his support, comfort, strength, and loving spouse since their wedding in 1991.

Dennis will be forever indebted to Bryce Taylor, Richard Kole, Eddie Green, and Ben Gollehon for their invaluable guidance throughout his life. He would also like to thank Leroy Osmon, Jeanne Bryant, Gene Cartwright, Karen Pitts, Doug Wiehe, Kevin Stone, Ricky Clem, Ray Jones, David Corder, Robert McElroy, Nelson Nolden, Alan Johnson, Jeff Gleason, Gary Liebst and Todd Miller for their friendship, influence, and support.

Dennis is appreciative of all the opportunities, students, parents, fellow musicians, and band and orchestra personnel with which he has been blessed to know in his career. Dennis is extremely grateful to Phi Beta Mu for honoring him with this prestigious award.