SAN ANTONIO — Alfred "Al" F. Sturchio, bandleader for the "Sound of the Spurs" HemisFair Arena group that played for basketball fans when the team hooped there, has passed away at the age of 95.
His death was announced Tuesday by the Texas Bandmasters Association, but it's unclear what Sturchio passed away from. "The Sound of the Spurs" band was a staple at the San Antonio Spurs' original arena during home games, and their music was a highlight for those in attendance.
"The Sound of the Spurs" band would play on the upper deck of HemisFair Arena behind the basket, their notes filling the arena as fans danced in the aisles.
The band was also featured in Spurs' championship river parade boats, providing the city celebrations with the same music that filled the arena.
Sturchio and the Spurs band also participated in a 1989 Christmas party event which featured David Robinson, Sean Elliott, and Zarko Paspalj singing carols.
Outside of leading "The Sound of the Spurs," Sturchio was a band director in 1951 at Hondo ISD. He also worked at Lanier, South San Antonio and Roosevelt high schools, and served as NEISD's director of fine arts from 1972 to 1986.
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