           
__________
Auburn High School 405 S. Dean Rd. Auburn, AL 36830 Office: (334) 887-4970 Band: (334) 887-4986 __________ |
| Directors of the Auburn High School Band, 1936-2006 |
| Head Band Directors | |
| Lawrence Barnett | 1936-1944 |
| Betty Benton | 1944-1945 |
| Mary McDonald Watson | 1946-1948 |
| Fred Mann | 1948-1950 |
| Paul H. Stewart | 1950-1953 |
| George Corridino | 1954-1956 |
| Tommy Goff | 1956-1988 |
| Russell Logan | 1989-present |
| Interim Head Band Directors | |
| Paul Irvine | 1944 |
| Bob Lewis | 1953 |
| Jim Nettles | 1957 |
| David Herbert | 1962 |
| Everett Johnson | 1984-1985, 1989 |
| Assistant Band Directors | |
| Mike Hollinshead | 1977-1983 |
| Joseph Keating | 1984-1985 |
| Everett Johnson | 1983-2004 |
Head Band Directors
Lawrence Barnett - Director 1936-1944. B.M., Northwestern University. Founded the Lee County High School Tiger Band in 1936. Also was director of the LCHS Orchestra, LCHS Glee Club, Greater Auburn Glee Club, the Auburn Community Band, and the Auburn Honor Band. While director, 19 students made All-State, 5 first chair. Resigned March 1944.
Betty Benton - Director 1944-1945. Became director upon Mr. Barnett's departure. Also instructed piano at LCHS. Resigned December 1945.
Mary McDonald Watson - Director 1946-1948. B.A., Florida State University. Became director upon Ms. Benton's departure. Founded the Senior Band, and thus the concert band program, in 1946. The first concert was directed by her on February 14, 1946. She took the band to the first competition ever attended by the band, the 1948 District Competition at the Troy State Teachers' College in Troy, Alabama. Took band to 1947 Gubernatorial Inaugural parade. First director to work heavily with the LCHS Band Mothers and Fathers Association (now Auburn Band Parents Association). First director to hold summer marching rehearsals. Organized fundraising for first purchase of symphonic instruments (bassoons, oboes, timpani) and uniforms. While director, 7 students made All-State, 5 first chair. Overall concert record at AHS: 1-0-0-0-0. Resigned May 1948.
Fred Mann - Director 1948-1950. Became director upon Mrs. Watson's departure. Led Senior Band to District Competition in 1949 and 1950. Overall concert record at AHS: 2-0-0-0-0. Resigned June 1950.
Paul H. Stewart - Director 1950-1953. Became director upon Mr. Mann's departure. Led Senior Band to District Competition in 1951. While director, 7 students made All-State. Overall concert record at AHS: 1-0-0-0-0. Resigned August 1953.
George Corradino - Director 1954-1956. B.A., Florida State University. Became director after Mr. Stewart's departure and Robert Lewis's tenure as Interim Band Director. Founded first AHS jazz band, the Blue Notes. Took marching band to Florida State Band Day, Auburn University Band Day, the Auburn University Band Clinic, and the 1955 Gubernatorial Inaugural Parade. Left AHS to take the position of Assistant Band Director at API under Bodie Hinton. Also led and performed with the Auburn Knights Orchestra. While director, 9 students made All-State. Resigned June 1956.
Tommy King Goff - Director 1956-1988. B.S., M.S., Auburn University, postgraduate studies, Florida State University, University of Texas at Austin. Became director upon Mr. Corradino's departure. Led Senior/Symphonic Band to District Competition every year; State Contest 1957, 1959-1980; national contests 1981-1984, 1986-1988; earned innumerable other concert awards. Took marching band to many inaugural parades, Auburn University football games, pro football games, major league baseball games, etc. Founded Lab Band. Took Lab Band to innumerable competitions where earned innumerable awards. Founded Concert (second) Band. Made the Auburn High School Band into a nationally respected musical organization. Under him, the band received the Sudler Flag of Honor. Was placed on active duty in National Guard in 1957-1958 and 1961-1962, went on sabbatical 1984-1985. Also was member of the Auburn Knights Orchestra, directs Auburn University Jazz Band. While director, 417 students made All-State. Overall concert record at AHS: 214-4-0-0-0. Retired December 1988.
Russell Logan - Director 1989-present. B.S., M.M., Auburn University, D.A., University of Mississippi. Became director after Mr. Goff's retirement and Everett Johnson's tenure as Interim Director. See bio for detailed information. So far as director, 221 students have made All-State, 20 first chair. Overall concert record at AHS (Honors Band record in parentheses) : 144-7-0-0-0 (117-0-0-0-0). Currently Director of Bands.
Interim Head Band Directors
Paul Irvine - Interim Director 1944. A.B. Williamette University, Ph.D., New York University. Became interim director upon Mr. Barnett's departure. Professor of history at API and prominent band booster in the 1930s and 40s. Took over the band from March - June 1944 after Mr. Barnett departed to enter War Industry in California. Resigned June 1944.
Robert Lewis - Interim Director 1953. B.S., Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Became interim director upon Mr. Stewart's departure. Was a graduate student at API when hired as last-minute replacement after Mr. Stewart's departure. Due to that, the marching band only marched one show that year, against Opelika. Resigned December 1953.
Jim Nettles - Interim Director 1957. B.S., Alabama Polythechnic Institute. Became interim director during Mr. Goff's absence due to military commitment, fall semester 1957. Led the band during marching season. Resigned December 1957.
David Herbert - Interim Director 1962. Became interim director during Mr. Goff's absence due to military commitment, spring semester 1962. Former Director of Bands, Auburn University. Led the band to District and State Contest. While director, 13 students made All-State. Overall concert record at AHS: 7-0-0-0-0. Resigned June 1962.
Everett Johnson - Interim Director 1984-1985, 1989. B.A., M.M.Ed., Troy State University. Became interim head band director during Mr. Goff's 1984-85 sabbatical, and after Mr. Goff's retirement in December 1988. While interim director, 35 students made All-State, 2 first chair. Overall concert record at AHS as Interim Director of Bands: 12-0-0-0-0. Moved to Auburn Junior High School, 2004, resigned June 2005.
Assistant Band Directors
Mike Hollinshead - Assistant Director 1977-1983. First assistant band director of the Auburn High School Band. Led the Concert Band to District and State contests. Resigned June 1983.
Joseph Keating - Assistant Director 1984-1985. Became assistant band director while Mr. Johnson was serving as Interim Head Band Director during Mr. Goff's sabbatical. Led the Concert Band to District contest and a national competition. Overall concert record at AHS: 7-0-0-0-0. Resigned June 1985.
Everett Johnson - Assistant Director 1983-2004. Became assistant band director after Mr. Hollinshead's departure. Also served as Interim Head Band Director during Mr. Goff's 1984-85 sabbatical, and after Mr. Goff's retirement in December 1988. Overall concert record at AHS as Assistant Director of Bands: 73-21-2-0-0. Moved to Auburn Junior High School, 2004, resigned June 2005.
© Trey Armistead, 2006. Last revised 2 April 2006.
Related sites
• Band History
• Band directors today
• History of AHS
