EAEBeast atlanta elementary bandHomeAbout UsDedicationPrivacy PolicyContact UsSiteMapCustom SearchConcert Recordings1956 Concert in Atlantic City, NJ1959 Concert at Hattiesburg, MS1961 Concert in Asheville, N.C.1962 Concert at Pittsburgh, PA
1965 Concert in Hattiesberg, MS
1971 Final Concert in Atlanta, GA
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1949-1953
1958 Concert Program
1958-1962
1962 MEMC Program
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The East Atlanta Elementary Band – 1958 thru 1962
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In 1958, I was a third grader at Kirkwood Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia. As the school year progressed, our teachers told us that we would have an opportunity to join the school band. We were told about a music teacher named Mr. Bradley, who would come and audition us. My eight-year-old mind was already set on playing the clarinet (like Pete Fountain!)  We met with Mr. Bradley in a small room to the right of the stage in the school auditorium. Eventually, he called each of us to come in and audition for him. The audition consisted of Mr. Bradley clapping out a series of cadences that we were asked to repeat back to him. Those who could do it to his satisfaction passed; and those who couldn’t failed. After passing my audition, I told Mr. Bradley that I wanted to play the clarinet, and he told me to have my parents purchase a clarinet before our next lesson. When I mentioned this to my mother, she abruptly informed me that we could not afford to buy a clarinet, so I was very disappointed! Later, when I told Mr. Bradley of my dilemma, he told me that playing a clarinet was not that important, because he already had dozens of clarinets! Also, he pointed out that I could play one of the school-supplied instruments, specifically, the French Horn, which he said was very expensive and the most difficult of all the instruments to play; so not many students were volunteering to play it.
But, he said that the French Horn had become the featured instrument in many contemporary bands and orchestras; and, after listening to his “pitch,” I told him, “Yes, I’d like to play the French Horn!” So, he sent me home with an old, beat-up and dented melophone, which was similar to a French Horn, but not as sophisticated; and, he instructed me to concentrate on “buzzing” the mouthpiece and playing notes until my next lesson. Also, he told me to attend the next C-Band practice at East Lake Elementary School. As it turned out, this was to be my first and only practice with the C-Band, because Mr. Bradley told me to report to the A-Band practice the following week. He also told me that he wanted me to make the trip with the A-Band to Hattisburg, Mississippi in February of 1959. So, within just a few weeks, I found myself surrounded by a group of very accomplished musicians, collectiv