Macklin, Hall M. (Hall McIntyre), 1908-1991

Hall Macklin (b. March 6, 1908. d. November 7, 1991) grew up in Whiteside, Illinois. Upon entering the University of Illinois he organized a group of musicians originally known as the Illini Singing Band, later known as the Hall Macklin Orchestra, that performed for dances both locally and regionally. Macklin graduated from the University of Illinois in 1932 and continued to perform with the orchestra, renamed the Glenn Lee Orchestra, under the direction of Chicago-based signer Glenn Lee, through 1935. In 1938 he earned a Master's of Music from the University of Idaho and later became a professor of Music at the University of Idaho until 1975, when he retired. In 1970 Hall Macklin participated in a reunion of the Hall Macklin and Glenn Lee Orchestras held in Elkhart, Indiana.

The Hall Macklin Orchestra, a dance orchestra, was organized by University of Illinois student Hall Macklin in the late 1920s under the name Illini Singing Band. Band members included, at various points, Ray Dvorak, Russell S. Howland, Leif Juhl, John Heiden, Frederick M. Armstrong, Jack Fedderson, Louis W. Clift, Jack Courtright, Raymond Shoultis, and Walter H. Bailey. The orchestra performed locally and did periodic tours across the Midwest. In 1932 the Hall Macklin Orchestra performed regularly on the Illini Union Campus Hour, broadcast by WILL Radio.

After Macklin and many other members of the Orchestra graduated from the University of Illinois in 1932 the Orchestra came under the leadership of Chicago-based singer Glenn Lee, and continued to perform and tour as the Glenn Lee Orchestra throughout the 1930s, including a homecoming tour to the University of Illinois in 1935.

From the guide to the Hall Macklin Orchestra and Glenn Lee Orchestra Music and Records, 1930-1970, (The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music)