Calling all Ashley band members to tune up and sign up and present memories both new

and old (or rather nostalgic?) that the finest high school band of the time will be recalled.

Dan Rockett

Hey Dan. Band was my favorite subject and Mr. Mac was my favorite teacher. I wanted to play all the instruments and remember switching instruments with someone while we marched in a Christmas parade somewhere-probably percussion since I really wanted to play drums! He wanted me to play that big sax that was too heavy to lift, but that was the only one I didn't want to play. He even assigned an older boy to carry it for me. Learning to play the fiddle (violin) is still on my list of things to do. Mr. Mac would take several of us to orchestra concerts in Charlotte, where he played the violin. He was very protective of those of us in 8th grade who were allowed to go with the high school band on trips, and made us sit in the seat right behind him on the bus. Linda Bernard and I were accidently 'left' in Raleigh one year when the bus moved on to Greensboro (?). I don't remember being especially worried about it...we figured out what to do and caught up with the band. (My how times have changed!) I played in the UNC-G band/orchestra for a short while, but the music was very hard and I didn't have time for the practice it would have taken.

Thanks for writing.  I played in the NC State University band for three years, 

Envolved with The Durning String Band of Philadelphia area since 2007 non-playing.

see www.mummers.com/stringbands

or www.youtube.com/durningstringband   may have to retype this / these links.

I struggle to make it day to day financially these days.

Wish I had remainded in New Zealand where I worked for about six months in 1966.

Keep up communications.

Dan Rockett