Walter G. Tolleson III

Musician

Spring 1943 Graduate

        Walt is one of the countries most sought after bandleaders. After graduating from Lincoln, Walt's academic career was interrupted by a stint with the US Army during World War II when Walt saw combat in Europe. He resumed his education at San Francisco State University receiving his BA in Music Education in 1949 and his MA in Music Composition in 1951. The graduate program for the latter degree was specifically created for Walt. During college, he started his first dance band and by 1955 had become so popular as a band leader that he committed himself to music as a career when he founded the Walter G. Tolleson Musical Organization. Employing the "Tolleson Touch", his Musical Organization has performed at more than 10,000 events across the country, from Newport, Rhode Island for the America's Cup to San Francisco's own Black and White Ball. His popularity led the San Francisco Examiner to remark that "Walt is the undisputed king of the one night stand, a fixture at Gala Openings of the Symphony. Opera and Ballet." In 1986 the Tolleson Band was awarded San Francisco's Award of Merit by Mayor Dianne Feinstein for "outstanding public service on behalf of the people of San Francisco."

        His accomplishments as a serious composer are no less distinguished. In 1962, his Ode for Trumpet was performed by the San Francisco Symphony. In 1967, he composed Songs of Granite & Men to the poetry of Robinson Jeffers, which has been, performed to major concert halls across the country, including Carnegie Hall in New York. He was appointed an Associate Professor of Music (in arranging and music theory) at San Francisco State University in 1971. In 1987, Walt was commissioned by the American Bar Association to compose an overture honoring the 200th Anniversary of the United States Constitution. Walt conducted the San Francisco Opera Orchestra in its world premier.

        A selfless contributor to community groups, The Tolleson Band has donated countless hours of time to numerous charities, including Clausen House for the Developmentally and Mentally Disabled, the YMCA/YWCA, San Francisco Boys & Girls Clubs, American Red Cross and other, literally too numerous to mention, deserving organizations.

        In recognition of his many accomplishments, Walter was inducted into the Abraham Lincoln High School Wall of Fame in May 1995.