My junior high band director Harry Pfingsten passed away last Friday. Harry was an extraordinary director and man. We were probably one of the few junior high bands to ever perform at a college football halftime. He brought out the best in us in more ways than one. I’m grateful that I had a late opportunity to close the circle and play a very minor part with his Patriot Symphonic Band a few years back at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. He was an important influence on me and, I’m sure, many others, and he will be missed.
A number of the themes that first appeared on the Chronicle- Telegram’s Teen-Age page later showed up in Funky. My ...