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Small note adds value to a book
I used this little book by Francis McBeth when I directed bands and found it helpful, especially for balancing and tuning the band.
Going through books yesterday, I started to put this in the give-away stack but paused to leaf through and noticed a note in the margin. I used brackets to mark spots but rarely underlined. The same pen that wrote the note underlined the text in ink. Dr. Kramer was rather large at the time, so this was a friendly jab at his good friend, Dr. McBeth, who was lacking in hair.
Dr. Kramer’s response to Dr. McBeth
I thought it was perfect that Dr. Don Kramer, who added so much humor to our time at HSU was still making me laugh over 40 years later. I’ll never forget how he and actor/comedian Red Buttons sparred during shows in Hot Springs. We all roared with laughter every night of that show.
Don Kramer was a remarkable trumpet player and musician. When I graduated, he said, “Warnock, when you become a teacher, you don’t become someone else. Be yourself. The kids will respond to that.”
I’ll be keeping this book with Dr. Kramer’s handwritten note.
A few years ago, while driving through Hot Springs, I remembered another funny time with Dr. Kramer. It’s shared in the post. Memorable Burger at Bailey’s
Relationship builder in music and words: Dr. Francis McBeth
I met Dr. Francis McBeth when I was a senior in high school. I made a phone call and set up a time to meet with him in his studio on a college visit day at Ouachita Baptist University. He gave me advice and spoke to me in a way that made me feel comfortable, eliminating the fear I should have felt in the presence of a world-famous composer and musician.
I ended up at Henderson State University, across the street, but continued to watch Dr. McBeth for years, enjoying the privilege of playing some of his compositions in manuscript as he listened and consulted with Wendell O. Evanson, Director of Bands at Henderson. Watching these great musicians’ friendship and professional respect for each other was a lesson in itself.
Well into his 80s, my wife and I saw Dr. McBeth and his wife at a restaurant in Arkadelphia. I introduced myself and Becca and then we enjoyed the same relaxed and friendly conversation I’d had with him years before.
He was not only a world famous musician, composer, and conductor. He was a great teacher! The following story from Dr. McBeth illustrates his influence and how he valued relationships with students.
W. Francis McBeth in 1997:
Some years ago in Knoxville, Tennessee I stepped into the hotel coffee shop following a concert and saw Wynton Marsalis sitting with his high school band director, Peter Dombourian. Because I knew Pete well, I thought it a great opportunity to meet this trumpet virtuoso.
As I approached the table Wynton Marsalis got up, walked toward me, and called me by name. I was so surprised and asked him if we had met before. He replied that he was in the Louisiana All State Band in Shreveport when I was the guest conductor.
Marsalis proceeded to list the entire program that we had played, piece by piece, and during our visit quoted many things that I had said. It was after this visit that I began to reflect on the seriousness of every comment in front of an ensemble. Here was a world-class performer who remembered what I had said when he was in high school. It brought home to me that anything I say in front of an honor band had better be correct, especially the criticism, because those students will never forget it. That’s a heavy responsibility.
That responsibility to use words carefully with others was something Dr. McBeth took seriously, whether he met you in an honor band or at an Arby’s Restaurant. When I praise a child for good work or give corrective comments, I often think of Dr. McBeth in hopes that my words will honor his legacy as a teacher who spoke with care, knowing that some of our words might influence children’s lives for years to come.
Dr. McBeth is pictured here with some of his musician/conductor friends and peers: L to R: Dr. Jim Buckner, David Rollins, Dr. Bill Clark, Wendell Evanson, Dr. Francis McBeth
Here’s a musical sample: Masque by Dr. Francis McBeth
Principal Notes 