Grad Name:              Judy Alston

Current Name:          Judy Alston Hill

City & State:             Dade City, FL

Email Address:         [email protected] 

Class Year:               ZHS 1972

Years in Band:          7

Instrument Played:   Clarinet & Bassoon

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:    Majorette 1969 – 1971 

Most Memorable Moments:

My most memorable moment would have to be the Florida State band contest down in Boca Raton, FL.  The night before our performance we were enjoying some R&R and some of us had sneaked over to the boys’ hotel and pool…and were playing tag with some of the "handsome" older classmen (my cousin, Jeff Alston, Randy Jordan, Jim & Bob Simons, etc.). In an effort to not get tagged…..I dove very shallow and as far as I possibly could ….only to collide NOSE FIRST into the side of the pool!!  I saw stars literally and my nose began to swell and consume my face!  My chaperon mother was Mrs. Betty Hall……and she was wonderful caring for me, but it was obvious that it was broken!!  The next day, my entire face was consumed by a black and blue NOSE…….and during the sight reading part of the contest Mr. Clark just looked at me and said DON’T PLAY until the BASSOON SOLO section (4 bars of music)…….and, since I was the only bassoonist….and we ALWAYS DID WHAT MR. CLARK TOLD US TO DO…..I pulled it off, somehow!  We once again went home with SUPERIOR RATINGS………only to break down in the school bus on the side of the Florida turnpike and prolong our arrival home by a few more hours!!  A few more hours of sheer joy with those upper classmen!

 

ZHS band memories with Mr. John T.V. CLARK, absolutely consume my recollection of high school years!  We learned to play instruments, to read, love and appreciate all kinds of music, as well as the art of perfection in performance……… BUT what we really learned……..  was so much about LIFE and the REWARDS of HARD WORK!!  The discipline that accompanied our band program instilled so much within me, and to this day I credit Mr. John T.V. Clark with much of the success, fulfillment and happiness that I have achieved in my lifetime.

 

To this very day if I hear a John Phillip Sousa song or "Notre Dame"……..I automatically straighten my shoulders and am inclined to begin marching……..in a very STRAIGHT LINE, of course!!   AND……I can still play "Hurrah for Bulldogs" on my clarinet!!  Mr. Clark would be so proud!

 

Grad Name:              Bill Baker    

Current Name:          Bill Baker

City & State:             Atlanta, Georgia

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1954

Years in Band:          6

Instrument Played:   Sousaphone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Going to district and state where we almost always won superior, Mr. Clark gave me a love for music that I still have today, band was the most important part of my High School years.

 

Grad Name:              Norma Jean Baker

Current Name:            Norma Jean Cecil

City & State:             Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:               1957

Years in Band:            5th through 12th grade

Instrument Played:   "Flutophone", Clarinet and Bassoon

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

We never appreciate things a person does for us until we get "older" and reflect back on memories. Mr. Clark was a remarkable teacher – loads of patience with his students – and did so much for us.  His dedication to us will be remembered always.

 

Grad Name:               Beverly Ann Bolt      

Current Name:          Beverly Ann Rhinesmith   

City & State:             Dade City, Florida

Email:                       [email protected]

Class Year:               1953

Instrument Played:   Clarinet & Solo Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Years in Band:          6

Most Memorable Moments:

Mr. Clark invited the band members of the graduating class of 1953 to his home in Lakeland for dinner and that was so special.  Also he was so patient in teaching us how to play an instrument. I really enjoyed Band. I played clarinet and my junior year he moved me to Solo Clarinet with JD Lock and that was special. He was a great Band Director and knew how to play every instrument. I loved to hear him play the Trumpet.       

 

 

 

Grad Name:              Jo Ann Breckenridge 

Current Name:          Jo Ann Breckenridge 

City & State:             Lakewood, Colorado

Email Address:         [email protected] 

Class Year:               1970 

Years in Band:          6 

Instrument Played:   Flute/Piccolo 

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Marching in parades and competitions

 

 

Grad Name:                 Betty Brown

Current Name:            Betty Preble

City & State:                Port St Lucie, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1972

Years in Band:            1967 – 1971

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

The football games, the parades, our trip to Pompano for state competition, our dance-step routine to ‘The Horse,’ and hearing Mr. Clark play ‘The House Of The Rising Sun’ on his electric guitar.

 

Grad Name:              Susan Ann Bucey 

Current Name:          Susan McKee

City & State:             High Springs , Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1965

Years in Band:          7

Instrument Played:   Flute, Piccolo, Baritone Sax

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

Our three great trips to Miami for the FL State Band Contests!  We worked HARD to earn money for these trips, like washing cars, inside & out, for $1.00 and Practicing!  Believe it, that was what made us good, very good!  And I loved it!  Mr. Clark gave us hope.  He told us how good we were & how much better we would become, if we would just practice.  God bless his family and his legacy.

 

Grad Name:              Bobbie June Chambless

Current Name:          Bobbie J. Crosby

City & State:             Zephyrhills, FL

Email Address:

Class Year:                1963

Years in Band:          1959 to 1963

Instrument Played:   French Horn

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Majorette and Head

                                                                        Majorette

Most Memorable Moments

Being in the band was a highlight of my school years.  Mr. Clark was so special and inspired everyone to do their very best.  He was very supportive of the majorettes and was always willing to get music for special routines that we would learn at camp each year.  It was an honor and a privilege to be part of the Zephyrhills High School Marching Band under his leadership.

 

Grad Name:                 Helen Chenkin

Current Name:            Helen Hill 

City & State:             Jacksonville, Florida   

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class year:               1966

Years in Band:          1960 – 1966

Instrument Played:   Drums

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Marching band, concert band,

                                                                        jazz band

Most Memorable Moments:

The drum section was always getting into trouble. Maybe it’s because we didn’t have an instrument that required keeping our mouths shut! However, because of that, I was caught numerous times chewing gum — which was really against the rules. I remember, if caught, Mr. Clark would make us put our gum on our nose. In band class, it wasn’t much of a punishment since getting a laugh seemed to be important to me, however, one time he really surprised me.  I don’t remember what grade I was in (perhaps 9th or 10th), but that year I had band right before lunch. I’m sure he was pretty exasperated at me for chewing gum again — so he not only had me put the gum on my nose, he accompanied me to the lunch room at the end of class, and stayed with me all through the line while I had to stand in line with gum on my nose in front of everyone. That was pretty embarrassing. I can’t say I didn’t ever chew gum again, but I sure never got caught again. And that’s the truth!

 

I do remember how much patience he had with all of us — and all the extra time he put in with band practices at night and after school. Band was a big part of my life and a love of music — and even learning how to exercise discipline — has been an influence on me throughout my life. I attribute so much of that to John T.V. Clark. Fortunately, I was able to actually tell him that at a ZHS Alumni gathering one year (I even apologized to him for giving him such a hard time, but he didn’t seem to remember that at all)!  He was one of a few teachers that truly made a difference to me. He was good teacher, and a wonderful mentor, and I’m so grateful for the time he was in my life.

 

Grad Name:              Diane Clements          

Current Name:          Diane Vilas

City & State:             Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Email Address:          

Class Year:               1965

Years in Band:          8

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

My fondest memory of Mr. Clark occurred when I was only about 3 years old.  There used to be a band shell on the site of the old Chamber of Commerce building on 5^th Ave.  and the band was playing there for Founders Day.  I toddled on to the stage and was wandering around watching the musicians up close when Mr. Clark picked me up and sat me on his knee for the remainder of the piece.  I was tickled to death for years afterwards, assuming he thought I was so cute.  Much later I realized that he was just keeping me from being a nuisance and from distracting the band members.  But it was still fun!  Remember how he could direct with the baton in one hand and play the trumpet with the other, how he could play the piano while eating Hershey bars, make you put your chewing gum on your nose, the way he giggled, and the party he threw in band class when Steve was born?

 

Grad Name:                 Frankie Coell

Current Name:            Frankie Coell

City & State:             Valley Grande, Alabama

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1960

Years in Band:            I was never in the Band

Instrument Played:

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

I was never in the band, but I wanted to share something that I remember about John T.V. Clark.  I used to catch the morning school bus in Crystal Springs.  Sometimes Mr. Clark would drive by the bus stop on his way to school driving with one hand and playing his trumpet (as loud as he could) with the other.  I used to look forward to his coming by before the bus got there.

 

It’s kind of funny, the things a person remembers.  I just thought that would be interesting.

 

Grad Name:                 Anna Cherie Colandria

Current Name:            Anna Cherie Caison

City & State:                Fairfax, Virginia 

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1974

Years in Band:            6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 in Mount Clemens, Michigan

 

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

 

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

 

Most Memorable Moments:

My most memorable moment was the day Mr. Clark asked me what instrument I wanted to play, at that time I was so nervous the only instrument I could think of was the clarinet. My favorite instrument is the saxophone. I was never really very good but Mr. Clark was very patient. He always said we were good when we sounded terrible.

 

Grad Name:              Robert (Rob) M. Cox

Current Name:          Robert (Rob) M. Cox

City & State:             Orlando, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:                1975

Years in Band:          forever (6^th grade through graduation)

Instrument Played:   Saxophone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Band/Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

Taking the marching tests behind the old band hall; Mr. Clark playing the trumpet, directing at same time, and pointing at you when you didn’t do something quite right; his face filled with pride in us when it was announced that we got a the top award at a contest (both marching and symphonic).

 

Grad Name:                 Laura Denney

Current Name:            Laura Lupton

City & State:

Email Address:

Class Year:                  1980

Years in Band:            1975-1980

Instrument Played:   Clarinet and Saxophone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

I will never forget Mr Clark accompanying us with the piano during class as we all hacked away on our instruments note after note.  I can still see him stretching his neck out and over his piano, with a big smile on his face as he played, keeping us in tune and on time.

 

I can’t forget having to stand up the entire class while playing your instrument if you forgot your music book.  Talk about behavior modification!  I didn’t know it then, but it turned out to be one of those life long lessons.

  

Walking into that band room with my clarinet case dangling at my side always felt like home to me.  I couldn’t wait for band class.  For a six, seventh and eight grader, it was the one place that made since too me.  Those times will always be special to me.    

 

Grad Name:              Kenneth W. Donaldson

Current Name:          Kenneth W. Nesbit, Sr.

City & State:             Arnold, Maryland

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1972

Years in Band:          3

Instrument Played:   Coronet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

 

Grad Name:                 Laurie Dukes

Current Name:            Laurie Mitchell

City & State:                Gainesville, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year         :                  1972

Years in Band:            7th-12th

Instrument Played:   Saxophone (alto)

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

As I sit here today, I close my eyes and for an instant I am back in the old band room, crowed with instruments, everyone preparing to take their places.  Band taught respect and discipline.  It was the class you looked forward to and dreaded if you weren’t prepared.  The half time shows, parades, and contests were of course big highlights, but for me, "band" was most memorable…an experience I would never trade.  For that, I thank Mr. Clark from the bottom of my heart.    

 

Grad Name:              Janette Dunnigan

Current Name:          Janette Dunnigan

City & State:             Bradenton, Florida

Email Address:

Class Year:               1968

Years in Band:           

Instrument Played:   Flute

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Finally moving to first chair. Hearing my sister, Thea, play the kettle drums in the background.   Participating in concert competition in Sarasota.  He touched so many lives, I’m glad that mine was one of them.

 

Grad Name:                 Thea Dunnigan            

Current Name:            Thea Johnson

City & State:                Holiday, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1967

Years in Band:            6 years (7^th Grade through 12^th Grade)

Instrument Played:   Drums

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Our last football halftime show was an away game.  One of our friends was dating the drum major and was not in the band.  Thinking that was a shame that she could not see our last performance as seniors, we (others shall remain nameless) decided to give her an instrument case, a band uniform jacket and got her on the band bus.  We were almost there when she was discovered!  She did get to see the game from the regular stands.  Those of us in on the plan had to stand the whole game and I had to show 7^th Graders how to march over blocks outside the band hall every day for 4 weeks.  I also had to sweep out the hall when the peanuts on the bus were also uncovered.  I was innocent of that charge but did not protest since I was already there and felt it was justified!  I actually think Mr. Clark was somewhat amused, or maybe we just thought so.

 

Mr. Clark taught me how to play the drums after school during the 7^th grade.  Being in the band was one of the most enjoyable high school experiences for me and I will always be thankful for his encouragement.

 

Grad Name:                 Gary L. First

Current Name:            Gary L. First

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1970

Years in Band:            6

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

Singing on the band bus

 

Grad Name:                 Greg First        

Current Name:            Greg First

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1967

Years in Band:            4

Instrument Played:   Sax

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Those LONG trips to away games on the Band Bus

 

Grad Name:                 Mary Louise Fish

Current Name:            Mary Young

City & State:                Nashville, Tennessee

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1966

Years in Band:            8 including from 5th grade

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     none

Most Memorable Moments: 

Mr. Clark was my most memorable teacher and mentor having had him everyday for all those years. Band was my main activity in high school.  And I have played the clarinet in various groups since which has been very rewarding.

 

All my memories in the ZHS band were memorable … Thursday night marching practices at the old Krusen field; Mr. Clark with his megaphone from the top of the bleachers; him showing us how to step for the formations; his gleaming white uniform when we would perform; him playing the trumpet in the bandroom while tapping the base drum with his foot while directing and waving his baton — all at the same time!  Making us put gum on our noses if he caught us with gum.  Practicing Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in class till we got it.

 

The parades, the concerts, the contests.  Those old band uniforms that were itchy, hot and cold depending on the weather.  Sitting in the bleachers at football games.  Riding the band bus home after an away game.  Running for our seats on the bus as he called out our classes, Seniors first!  His tests of music terms, the same ones each time:  Largo, Accelerando, Staccato, ……Decresendo….

 

The march and play tests in front of the rest of the band. March 8 steps, turn, march, turn while playing a new piece for football season.  Putting our band instruments on the porch.  The afternoon sunlight on the band building.  The afternoons where he would sit at the piano with the side door open while we practiced – a breeze blowing in.  The  sound of the big tympany drums at the end of The War of 1812.

 

I remember Mr. Clark’s voice and his smile and his laughter.  He always seemed to enjoy being our band director. We wanted to please him and do well and make him proud. And we were proud of our band and ourselves.  That’s how it was in the 60’s when I was there. These are some of my memories.   He was my favorite teacher. 

Mary Fish Young

 

Grad Name:              Sharon Forbes

Current Name:          Sharon Nelson

City & State:             Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:

Class Year:               1960

Years in Band:          6+

Instrument Played:   Flute-o-phone in elementary, Clarinet & Oboe

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Majorette

Most Memorable Moments:

I remember hanging out the window of Donnie Nelson’s (my husband from Class of ’58) car while he was spinning donuts on the old Krusen Field after band practice.  I just had a perm and hated getting my hair messed up!

 

Also the trip to Jacksonville for a competition and seeing the new movie ‘Rock Around the Clock’ when it first came out.

 

Grad Name:              Tonda Galyan

Current Name:          Tonda Coyne

City & State:             Orlando, Florida

Email Address:

Class Year:               1975

Years in Band:            6

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

It really is sad that the band hall had to be torn down to make room for a parking lot!   I remember leaving a basketball game one night and I could not find my car…..then someone came up to me and told me that it was on the band hall porch…..thanks to Jaime Parks and Danny Lauderbaugh!  They had positioned it so that I could not drive it out of there.  Seems like they had to come and actually pick that car up and move it into a drivable position.  What a crazy memory! 

 

Grad Name:                 Faye Gaskin

Current Name:            Faye Gaskin Smith

City & State:                Seneca, South Carolina

Email Address:           [email protected]      

Class Year:                  1964

Years in Band:            5th – 12th (starting with the flute-a-fone)

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

 

Grad Name:               Nathan Geiger

Current Name:            Nathan Geiger

City & State:               Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:

Class Year:                 1956

Years in Band:            4 years  6^th – 9^th grades

Instrument Played:      Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:    

Most Memorable Moments:

Mr. Clark would make us run laps around the football field if we misbehaved in band and consequently I had to run lots and lots of laps which made me decide to go out for football and I got lot so running there also.

 

Grad Name:                 Phyllis Geiger Locke

Current Name:            Phyllis Debien

City & State:                Palm Harbor Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1954

Years in Band:            6 years  7th – 12th grades

Instrument Played:   Clarinet and Bassoon

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Drum Majorette – 4 years

Most Memorable Moments:

Band was always one of my favorite classes and the one I missed the most after graduation. For six years I spent two classes a day in band.  I think my 7th grade class was Mr. Clark’s first year in Zephyrhills.  (Even as I have grown older I could never call him John because he was always Mr. Clark to me.)  He was a strict taskmaster but was fair and really had a good sense of humor.

 

There was a group of us girls that pestered him unmercifully about what the T.V. stood for in John T.V. Clark, Jr.  I still don’t know what the ‘T’ stood for but think the ‘V’ stood for Viley (?).

 

Than there were the episodes of gum on the nose.  Anyone caught chewing gum had to put it on their nose for the rest of the class period.  I was never guilty of that but there were many repeat offenders in our group.

 

So many football games, contests and parades.  In the early days our band was not very good but he would write back ground music for us to play at the football games while he took the lead on Stardust and others songs that made the band sound good.  And who could ever forget "Goodnight Irene" and the "Tennessee Waltz."  We played those songs so many times I can still hear them.  Maybe they were the only ones we could play.  But one of the things I miss the most is a good John Phillip Sousa march.  I haven’t been to the Zephyrhills games in a long time but have been to others in the area and the band is always doing a musical production, etc.  I have great memories and had the opportunity to do many things because of being in the band.  Several times in the early years he would make arrangements for us to attend a performance of the Air Force Band or other military bands that would come to the area.  That doesn’t sound like much now but back in the "old days" that was a big deal. So many wonderful memories.

 

Grad Name:                 Sharon Geiger

Current Name:            Sharon Reeves

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1980

Years in Band:            1973-76 with Mr. Clark, 1976-1979 with Mr. Steuart

Instrument Played:   Trumpet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

Playing at Krusen field during my 8th grade year along side the high school band.

Getting caught with gum by Mr Clark and having to stick it on my nose during one whole class period.  

 

Grad Name:                 Mark Glidden

Current Name:            Mark Glidden

City & State:                St. Petersburg, Florida

Email Address:

Class Year:                  1975

Years in Band:            6 years

Instrument Played:   Drums

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:    

Most Memorable Moments:

We moved to Zephyrhills in 1969.  I will always walking into that Band Hall in October of 1969 with a crew cut and pin-striped bell bottoms straight out of Michigan. I was super-cool, huh?!!

 

The best time was when we went to Washington, DC and were very popular in many events we were invited to.  We scored a lot of Superiors and had the greatest Drum Major, Mike Cox.  I don’t think anybody ever topped that.

 

Grad Name:              Luan Gore

Current Name:          Luan Gore

City & State:             Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1977

Years in Band:          6

Instrument Played:   Alto Saxophone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:    Drum Major 1975-76 and 1976-77; Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments: 

Regrettably, Mr. Clark was only our band teacher at Zephyrhills Jr. High School.  Many of us wished that he could be our high school band instructor as well.  He was just so brilliant, and amazing as a musician, and he was a calm, quiet teacher . . . no screaming, no erasers or conducting batons flying ever!  He kept order in a calm, matter-of-fact way. 

 

One day we were rehearsing as usual.  There Mr. Clark was:  playing the trumpet with his right hand, the piano with his left hand, and the bass drum with his foot!  All of a sudden, he cut us off, and said, "Second clarinets, you missed your entrance at measure thirty-two!"  I leaned over to Philip Martin, my cohort in the saxophone section, and said, "Man!  We’re never going to be able to pull anything over on this guy!" 

 

 

Grad Name:                 Ingeborg Hennessy

Current Name:            Ingeborg Kelleher

City & State:                Plymouth, Massachusetts

Email Address:          

Class Year:                  1969

Years in Band:            1965-1969

Instrument Played:  

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

I never had the opportunity to thank Mr. Clark for making the beginning of my life in the USA better. I came to Zephyrhills in July of 1965 straight from my home in Germany. I entered ZHS in August of that same year as a freshman.  It goes without saying that not being able to speak English made transitioning into a new American school quite difficult.  

I still remember coming to him and asking if I could continue playing the piccolo as I had in Germany. In a masterful demonstration of the proper use of hand-signals and body-language he found a way to get the message across to me that he had too many piccolo players but really needed a Baritone player. He indicated that if I was interested in being a band member and learning the Baritone he would take the time to teach me. It meant the world to me that he gave me the opportunity to be in the band, play an instrument and make friends.

On the first day of practice Mr. Clark proceeded to put me in a room out back and to show me the basics of the Baritone. After telling me to practice, he closed the door and went to teach the rest of the band members. Unbeknownst to me, my stepfather, who was a mailman at the time, would walk by the window of the room and hear the shrill, whiny noises which I quickly learned to produce. Thankfully Mr. Clark and my stepfather were gracious enough to refrain from giving testament to the quality of my music until I was better able to handle an honest review.  Despite these difficulties I did not give up on the Baritone and more importantly, he did not give up on me; he just gave me a beautiful smile, a nod of approval and a motion to tell me ‘keep on practicing’. 

When it was time to march at our first Z’hills football game he came up to me and stuck a big wad of cotton into the horn and let me know that he didn’t want me to miss out on marching; unfortunately he wasn’t sure if the world was quite ready to appreciate my beautiful Baritone shrieks. Looking back I am still warmed by the thoughtfulness of that small gesture.  Few people can fully appreciate how meaningful that kind act of inclusion was.  In a time of isolation he afforded me the ability to be included without making me feel uncomfortable about how painfully bad I played.

Grad Name:                 Suzie Hill

Current Name:            Suzie Hill Pippin

City & State:             Dade City, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected] or [email protected]

Class Year:               1973
Years in Band:          5th grade thru 9th (I transferred to Pasco sophomore year)

Instrument Played:   Coronet/Trumpet
Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

WALKING to Krusen Field for practice…never running with my instrument!!  Standing in band class if you played around chewing gum, or talked (James Meyer’s did this alot!!)  Being able to get to class, get your instrument, and be in your seat all before the bell rang. 

Practicing for parades outside the band hall on the street.  Practicing for weekly games, new songs, new moves, and competing with Pasco (soon to be my alma mater) and going to competition. Being sooo terrified of singing out loud to determine the instrument you’d play, that I did not attend that meeting and shared my coronet with my brother, Odis.

Sitting next to Jerry (oh, senior moment forgot his name) who was very naughty.  Riding the bus from West Elementary 5^th/6^th grade for beginning band. Walking across the street to my cousin, Carol’s house, after band stuff.  I can visualize that room as if it still stands!  Good times!!

I loved Mr. Clark although I was terrified of him for the first year or so.  I had a world of respect for him (that was also shown through fear 🙂 When I transferred to Pasco I was accused of cheating once because the band director there gave a pop quiz (as punishment) and was shocked that I knew the answers.  My mom had to explain that when you had John T.V. Clark, you always knew music theory, etc. because he taught it regularly!!!!!

I felt safe in his structured class and I thank God that I had him for my first years of band.  What a difference it made.  Years later, I would continue to play in our church orchestra.  No other band director, in my eyes, ever compared to him.  He was the best
there ever was…and I never took the time to tell him.  That breaks my heart!  Please let his family know he was and will never be matched.

Suzie

 

Grad Name:                 Sheryl Ann Kingston

Current Name:            Sheryl Burnsed

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1966

Years in Band:            6

Instrument Played:   French Horn

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

 

Grad Name:                 Jay Linville

Current Name:            Jay Linville 

City & State:                Dade City, Florida 

Email Address:

Class Year:                  1973 

Years in Band:            6

Instrument Played:   Saxophone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp: 

Most Memorable Moments:

I remember the year marching in the Strawberry Festival Parade and some of us going into the 7-11 store for a drink while we were suppose to be waiting in line.  Also marching in the Chasco Fiesta Parade in New Port Richey had to be the longest parade ever …

 

I remember some of us guys would hold up Playboy magazines in the back window of the band bus showing the centerfolds to the cars behind us! 

 

Grad Name:              Linda Locke

Current Name:            Linda Arant

City & State:                Tampa, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]
Class Year:                  1978
Years in Band:            1972-1976
Instrument Played:   Flute
Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Flag Corp

Most Memorable Moments:

Not one specific moment comes to mind, although, the one constant for Mr. Clark was that happy, sincere smile. Rarely did you see him without it!

 

Grad Name:                 William Lowe

Current Name:            William ‘Billy’ Lowe

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1966

Years in Band:            7

Instrument Played:   Trombone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

During the overture of 1812, being 3^rd trombone, I had a lot of rests.  During the rests and counting, I removed my mouthpiece and dropped it.  It hit the bell of my horn and ting, ting, ting the floor.  Tap! Tap! Tap! went Mr. Clark’s baton.  He ordered me to put away my horn and go sit in his office where after the class was over, he chewed me out good.

 

The next was when I accidentally dropped my slide at a home game in the sand.  We were making ready to go to the stands.  I had to tell Mr. Clark. I was sweating bullets.  I told him and he gave me one of those looks that only he could give and handed me his car keys. I got to play his trombone at the game. I didn’t drop his slide. Mr. Clark was a no nonsense man and mentor and touched many. He was one of my heroes and still is.  Long live the legacy of Mr. John T.V. Clark … Billy

 

 

Grad Name:                 Andrea Lumert

Current Name:            Andrea Harrell

City & State:                Greenville, North Carolina

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1967
Years in Band:            6
Instrument Played:   Clarinet
Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Majorette
Most Memorable Moments:

There are too many memorable moments to list.  Band was absolutely the best opportunity I was afforded in high school.  We had so many trips on school buses for football games, basketball games, parades, festivals, etc.  We developed wonderful friendships that have lasted a lifetime.  I remember one event very well; having to sweep out the band hall because we spirited pistachio nuts on the bus and ate them.  I guess red shells on the floor of the bus, quite possibly, was a dead giveaway 🙂 

 

Grad Name:              Davida "Davy" Massey

Current Name:          Davida ‘Davy’ Massey

City & State:             Zephyrhills, FL 

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1972

Years in Band:          7- counting 6th – 12th

Instrument Played:  clarinet, alto clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Majorette

Most Memorable Moments:

I have many happy school related moments – the most memorable have to do with anything associated with band. What fun we had marching the streets, tootin’ "Hoorah for Bulldogs".  Standing up in class for crossing your legs, eating sunflower seeds or talking was always fun too.  Thursday night band practice and afterwards, the Freezette, was the highlight of the week. I loved parading the streets, especially the Strawberry Festival and Gasparilla Parade!  The trip to Pompano Beach was spectacular! Contests were awesome – we rocked! The bus trips were always a blast – laughing and singing and being children. Being a band member afforded me a great focus and many good friends.  Most of all, this was all possible because of the dedication to us from Mr. John Clark.  He encouraged us to truly appreciate music and foster our talents and creativity.  He taught us to respect one another, our instruments, and the value of our education (including note memorization). Through the guidance of Mr. Clark, we learned to have pride in ourselves, school, and community.  He was an outstanding role model and a great leader.  I do appreciate the music and the wonderful memories.   Thank you, Mr. Clark.  Love, Davy

 

Grad Name:                 Carol McLeod

Current Name:            Carol McLeod Reeves

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1972

Years in Band:            6 (counting Jr. high)

Instrument Played:   Coronet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

Practice marching in the streets of Z’hills, competitions, Friday night football games.  I also remember the following…..the bus rides to and from games, NOT marching at a football game as punishment because while at a game, sitting in the band stand, I turned around and spoke to my cousin which was a no-no.   We had to behave back in those days and not paying attention to Mr. Clark was a sin.  So I didn’t get to march.  I followed the rules after that!!

 

I also remember my mother, who was a 1952 graduate of ZHS and majorette with the band as well as playing the clarinet, oboe, etc., saying that she would see Mr. Clark driving to school in the mornings and practicing his trumpet at the same time!!   Now that is multi-tasking.   

 

Grad Name:              Donah McGinnis

Current Name:          Donah Neal

City & State:             Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1953

Years in Band:          I didn’t play in band.

Instrument Played:

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

 

Grad Name:                 Clereen Morrill

Current Name:            Clereen Brunty

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1973

Years in Band:            6-1/2 years – we started 2nd half of 6th grade / 1967-1973

Instrument Played:   Flute and some Alto Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

I have to say being in the band was my favorite memory of ZHS.  All those band trips, competitions, football games and parades were so exciting.  It made me feel important and popular. Playing at Disney World just after it opened was the best! Remember those long parades, like the Strawberry Festival and Chasco Fiesta, in the scorching heat – and those black wool uniforms!!  What about those freezing football games that you thought your toes and fingers would break right off.  Then you were glad you had wool on! We survived it and made our hometown proud.  That is what Mr. Clark strived for. 

 

I remember competing to be 1st chair flute…Mr. Clark not only taught us how to read and enjoy music but instilled the importance of competition and pride as a part of growing up.  Discipline was also his greatest asset…he didn’t have to raise his voice, you knew if you had done something wrong.  Most of the time you wouldn’t misbehave again.  I remember chewing gum and not only did he have me "park it" on my nose during class, but I had to write 500 times "I will not chew gum in class" and to have him tear it up without even counting.  I’m sure he knew how many lines and pages it would take!

 

Another memory was when Mrs. Joanne Beddingfield (now Mrs. Clark) would sub in for Mr. Clark and we would switch instruments and pretend we knew how to play.  Not sure if she ever caught on…

 

Everytime I look at my Letter ‘Z’ with Band & years on it, all the wonderful memories come back to me as though it was just yesterday when we marched in our last football game.  I still display it at our class reunions.

 

To the Clark Family…your husband, dad, & granddad was one of a kind.  A true jewel!  I can hear him playing his trumpet now …

 

Grad Name:              Barbara Muse

Current Name:          Barbara M. Welch

City & State:             Sebring, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1964

Years in Band:          6 (back then 7th graders were part of school band)

Instrument Played:   Clarinet (never liked that thing)

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

 

Mr. Clark always expected perfection in all aspects of his band students, no disrespect to instruments, uniforms cleaned, shoes shined, etc. Before an out of town performance Mr. Clark for whatever catastrophic reason left his band director hat at home. He called his wife which was really strange because he always had EVERYTHING under control. When his wife came to a screeching halt between the buses she tossed the hat out the window and it hit the ground!! 

 

Complete silence and everyone looked like a gathering of guppies…and…the car sped off quicker then it had arrived. Needless to say he had no problem with discipline that trip……..but then there was the time when one of the back windows on the band (school) bus was pushed out.  Oh…this is probably one of those over load moments and we don’t need to know.  There were a lot of moments in 6 years as we were "good" and we were always going somewhere.

 

Grad Name:                 Dale Myers

Current Name:            Dale Myers

City & State:                Macon, Georgia 

Email Address:

Class Year:                  1973

Years in Band:            6-1/2 years 

Instrument Played:   Trumpet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

 

Mr. Clark taught us more than how to play an instrument. Anyone who was part of the band had made the decision in the 6^th grade to a special dedication unlike any other in school. He was a man of principle and treated everyone fairly.  

 

The night we all went to the band hall to select our instruments in the 6th grade was one filled with excitement and a bit of intimidation.  After all, here we were in the "Band Hall" with Mr. Clark who we had watched lead the band in on 5^th Avenue and at football games at halftime.  When I was called to stand by the piano and sing a scale he made me feel safe and confident.  After completing the audition, he suggested that I play the trombone.  Fortunately my arms were too short to reach the needed length and I was allowed to choose my first choice, the trumpet.  After a few days of practice with the mouth piece we finally were allowed to put the mouthpiece in the trumpet and everyone began to make a noise for the first time.  I will never forget the sounds that echoed off the walls of the old band room.  But there was one problem, my trumpet was silent.  Try as I would, I could not make a sound.  I was so perplexed.  I didn’t say anything and upon arriving home with my new trumpet, I continued to blow and blow until I became dizzy.  After some coaxing from my parents I called Mr. Clark and he asked me to return to the band hall and he would look into the problem.  Upon arrival he quickly diagnosed the problem due to improper placement of the valves and when corrected, he began to play scales and the Z’hills football anthem, "Notre Dame."  I was amazed at the sounds that came out of MY trumpet.  It was a moment indeed.  Somehow, I was confident that with practice I would be able to play like that someday.  He told me, "Dale, if I can do it, you can too!"  I believed him.  Mr. Clark taught me to always be prepared and confident that doing my best was ALWAYS good enough. 

 

I still enjoy playing my trumpet.  Tucked away in my trumpet case are a few items from the past.  I have medals from the state competitions, a few old photo’s and a dried carnation an old veteran gave me for playing Taps at a funeral.  They remind me of a time when going to school was safe.  It was a time when our teachers were respected like parents and our classmates were just part of our extended family.  We were blessed.

 

Grad Name:                 Lynn Nichols                                

Current Name:            Lynn Nichols Timmons               

City & State:                Dade City, Florida             

Email Address:           [email protected]   

Class Year:                  1960

Years in Band:            4 (this included Jr. High as the bands were combined then)

Instrument Played:   Coronet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

My favorites were the band trips to various concerts and parades. One of the most fun trips was to Sarasota for a parade, I think. After we were finished, we all went to Lido Beach there in Sarasota.  The group of us that hung together was composed of Benny Smith, Patty Sante, Roger Sibley, Linda Freeburg, Richard Kirk and me. Each of us girls had sewn the initials of our respective boyfriends on our bathing suits. We never thought about it at the time, but Patty had ‘BS’ on her suit! Anyway, Mr. Clark kept a close watch on us to be sure no hanky-panky was going on, as he walked back and forth with his dress pants rolled up and barefooted.  The final memory of the day was suddenly a flock of the dreaded seagulls appeared above us, as  we lay there trying to improve our tans, the gulls splattered us! Aside from the gull experience, it was a wonderful time.

 

Grad Name:                 Carrie Parttridg

Current Name:            Carrie Clark

City & State:                Jacksonville, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1950 

Years in Band:            3

Instrument Played:

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:    Majorette

Most Memorable Moments:

Pleasant – Marching in the Gasparilla Parades in Tampa

Unpleasant – I was acting as head majorette (I can’t for the life of me figure out why because I was certainly not that good as I look back).  Halfway down the field I glanced back and the band is in the middle of the field and I have wandered almost to the sideline.  Horrors!  I don’t remember what I did, but I do know I wished there was a hole to fall in. 

 

Grad Name:                 Gordon Pitcher

Current Name:            Gordon Pitcher

City & State:                Tampa, Florida   

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1954

Years in Band:            3                

Instrument Played:   Trombone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Dear Mr. John T.V. Clark’s family,

 

We loved Mr. Clark because he was tidy, neatly dressed, articulate, intelligent, dedicated to his job, a highly skilled at music and class leadership, socially responsible – he required us to pull the weeds from the sidewalk edging – and most of all, he was strict.  And yes, he could be humorous.  Being strict and teaching kids to behave is an important part of education which I understand is missing in our schools today.

 

Many years after graduation in 1954 I had the pleasure of recognizing and speaking with Mr. Clark when he played with the Jack Golly Band at Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida.

 

I was a 3rd-chair trombone player who sounded like a dying cow in the ZHS band for three years next to John Johnson, Neva Wilson, and Jim Kerr.

 

Gordon Pitcher

(813) 833-6263

[email protected]

 

Grad Name:                 Norman Pricher

Current Name:            Norm Pricher

City & State:                Orlando, Florida 

Email Address:

Class Year:                  1954

Years in Band:            6 years – A member of the band Mr. Clarks first year.

Instrument Played:   Trumpet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

The first year our uniforms were made up of white shirt and white pants. We then had a cape, I’m not sure the color, I think black. We played at a football game in Wildwood (the game ended in a tie) and it rained all night. The capes faded onto the white shirts. I think we got our first real uniforms in about 1950. These were the orange coats and white pants.

 

I also remember Mr. Clark having lines painted in the street near 11th and 9th Street, to help us learn to march and turn corners. And of course having to put chewing gum on your nose if caught chewing during band.

 

Grad Name:                 Kelly Reagan

Current Name:          Kelly R. Williams

City & State:             Seminole, Florida

Email Address:

Class Year:               1983
Years in Band:            7 years

Instrument Played:   Clarinet and Piano

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:    Flag Corp (jr. high),

                                                                        Stage Band (high school)

Most Memorable Moments:

I can remember when Mr. Clark left and Mr. Pate came onboard.  We were all so upset to see Mr. Clark leaving because he was like a legend to us.  We had heard so many people talking about him.  The funny thing was that evidently he was pretty strict and serious in his younger years, but we couldn’t believe that because he was so nice to us.  He was like a sweet grandpa.  We really missed him even though we all became very close with Mr. Pate also.  The entire band program in Zephyrhills is his legacy and when I think of school, band is the first thing I think about.  It was a huge part of my school experience from 6th grade on and I thank Mr. Clark for all his years of building a great program.

 

Grad Name:                 Fred Rhoda    

Current Name:            Fred Rhoda

City & State:                Auburndale, Florida 

Email Address:           [email protected] 

Class Year:                  1978

Years in Band:            6

Instrument Played:   Brass

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Drum Major & Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

It is impossible to select one or two.  Bruce and I spent a lot of time together growing up.  I was almost like a fourth child of the Clark household.  Mr. and Mrs. Clark were always very good to me and I enjoyed meals, sleepovers and even a family trip with them.  Playing pool on the porch, camping out in a tent in the back yard or buzzing on our mouthpieces as we rode in the car are just a few of the many cherished memories I enjoy.  To Steve and Ken I would like to say THANK YOU, for not completely beating the crap out of me after all the times I pushed you to the edge of your sanity.  And Bruce, THANK YOU for sharing your Mom and Dad and your home with me and for being my friend.

 

My Best to All, Fred

 

Grad Name:              Tracy Richardson

Current Name:          Still Tracy Richardson  <[;-)

City & State:             Lafayette, Louisiana

Email Address:         [email protected]
Class Year:               1972
Years in Band:          Since 5th grade.  7th grade through graduation (’66-72) in Zephyrhills.
Instrument Played:   Alto Sax, Baritone Sax, played bass drum in marching band.
Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:    Drum Major (the first one)
Most Memorable Moments:

I remember most that I had ultimate respect for Mr. Clark.  So much so that I never could bring myself to call him John, even when I was many years beyond school.  He was ALWAYS Mr. Clark to me.  I never had a teacher in any school or college class that I ever attended who knew their "stuff" better, nor was more dedicated to what was being taught than was Mr. Clark.  In a word, he was AWESOME.

I went to elementary school in Dade City.  So when I began 7th grade I went to the first day of school knowing not one person.  When I arrived at school the first day of 7th grade, carrying my sax case, Mr. Clark came up to me in the parking lot and introduced himself, and walked with me to the band hall and showed me where to put my sax.  I will never forget that.  It is as though it was last week.

My freshman year I played a baritone sax solo and got a superior at district and state.  The following year I chose not to do that again.  I remember well how crushed I felt for a very long time when Mr. Clark told me that he was disappointed in me for not trying that the following year.  Disappointing Mr. Clark was a horrible feeling.  I still remember that all too well.

I’ve told many people over the years that the most fun thing I did in high school was my involvement in band.   Thanks, Mr. Clark, for making it that way.

 

Grad Name:                 Terri Ann Rickard    

Current Name:            Terri Rickard Cohen

City & State:                Tampa, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1972

Years in Band:            1967-72

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

We were preparing for contest.  I think it was l969 or 1970. It was our last rehearsal before we left and we were intolerably excited and would not settle down to rehearse.  Mr. Clark finally just sent us all home.  He would not let the band captain rehearse us.  We were so worried that we would not do well, especially with sight reading.  When our sight reading piece came, Mr. Clark took us through it, as he always did, and we played it, nearly note perfect.  He never said a word, though we were afraid he might.  The piece was Heritage Overture.  A song we had used for contest the year before and really loved to play!  We, of course, made Superior in sight reading!

 

Grad Name:              Philip Russell       

Current Name:          Philip Russell

City & State:             Tampa, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1950

Years in Band:          2

Instrument Played:   Snare Drum (was first band member to graduate)

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Probably when we marched in the Gasparilla Parade.

 

Another special time was my last visit with Mr. Clark at his home, 5 weeks before he passed away.

 

Grad Name:                 Louis Sellars

Current Name:            Louis Sellars

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Fl

Email Address:

Class Year:                  1955

Years in Band:            5

Instrument Played:   Baritone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Great fun going to Band Contests, I thank Mr. Clark for putting up with me and teaching me to play.  I started out on Trumpet and we needed a Baritone so Mr. Clark switched me and I really enjoyed playing with all of the other students.

 

Grad Name:              Carol Sibley

Current Name:          Carol S. Wideman

City & State:             Atlanta, Georgia

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:                1956

Years in Band:          1950 – 1956

Instrument Played:   Tenor saxophone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments: 

Before the old band building was built, we practiced in the front of the auditorium between the seats and the stage.  When it was time to go practice with the whole band during the activities period each morning, Mr. Clark would play on his trumpet the same tune used to call the horses to the gates at a horse race.  We could hear him in our homerooms and immediately go to the auditorium.  I remember how great it was to move into the new band hall where we had more room for each person plus a place to store our instruments and music when not in use.

 

It was a lot of fun to play in the band at all the football games, with a special marching performance at half-time which was planned by Mr. Clark and taught to us at practice on Thursday night before each game.   We also enjoyed marching in several parades and going to the District and State Band Contests each year.  

 

I have especially fond memories of playing in the dance band formed by Mr. Clark in the early 50’s.   The music was reminiscent of the big band era.  We were called ‘The Mad Hatters’ and wore crazy hats.  We played at the dances in the American Legion Hall following the home football games as well as other high school dances in Zephyrhills and occasionally in Dade City or San Antonio.

 

Grad Name:              Mindy Smith 

Current Name:          Mindy Smith 

City & State:             Tampa, FL 

Email Address:

Class Year:               1978 

Years in Band:          6 

Instrument Played:   Drums 

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

I remember Mr Clark sitting at the trap drum set during our music tests and playing the same song over and over. He never ran out of patience for us although I’m sure we gave him many reasons to.

 

Grad Name:              Robin D. Smith, III 

Current Name:          Bob Smith

City & State:             Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1973

Years in Band:          5

Instrument Played:   Trumpet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Football games and away competitions and trips

 

Grad Name:              Gail Smith

Current Name:          Gail Geiger

City & State:             Zephyrhills, Florida

Class Year:               1956

Years in Band:          6^th grade pre-band then 7-12^th grades, total of 7 years

Instrument Played:   Flute

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

There are lots, my mother drove the school bus and always drove on our band trips and Mr. Clark was so good to always let us save the back seats of the bus for ourselves (my 2 sisters, 1 cousin and myself) and our best friends, even though it probably wasn’t fair to the rest!!!!!

 

Looking back, I really appreciate him being "strict" with us, like no chewing gum, or if you did get caught with it, it was planted on your nose for the rest of class, we were not allowed to use the bathroom facilities except in dire emergencies (this way it was always clean and in working order), there was no talking in class, and things like that which are really needed in classrooms.  He was admired by all, was good to work with the parents, always did what he said he would do.

 

This has nothing to do with school, but my husband, Nathan, and I owned the Geiger’s Feed Store in town for many years and after Mr. Clark retired from school, he walked a lot and came by the store often.  He was wonderful to visit with, never forgot any of our names or our families, but this one day I greeted him as "Mr. Clark" as I always had, and he said, "Gail, you and I are both adults and no longer teacher/student, so would you please call me ‘John’."  That was one of the hardest things I had to learn as my respect for him was so great, it seemed out of line to call him anything but "Mr. Clark".  A great role model!!!!!!! 

 

Grad Name:                 Shirley Stanley

Current Name:            Shirley Lanier

City & State:                Chiefland, FL

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1958

Years in Band:            5 years as a majorette

Instrument Played:   None

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Majorette

Most Memorable Moments:

 

Our band practiced every Thursday night for the football games on Friday night.  I remember how hard Mr. Clark drilled us on the practice field.  We had to keep practicing until we would get it perfect.  He always strived for us to be the best.  At the time I thought it was a little to much but as I got older I understand and really appreciate how much he pushed us to be the best, not only on the football field or in competitions, he was preparing us for our future.  I was very proud of our band but it wouldn’t have been the best if it hadn’t been for Mr. Clark giving us that little boost.

 

The memorable moments I have is the show went on rain or shine.  We marched whether it was raining or the sun was shining.  I remember the Sun N’ Fun parade I think was in St. Petersburg and it rained so hard but guess what the show went on.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Clark’s family.

 

Grad Name:              Tina Stone    

Current Name:          Tina Bedell

City & State:             Zephyrhills, FL 

Email Address:

Class Year:                1976

Years in Band:          6 years

Instrument Played:   Flute

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Though I can’t say that I have any memorable moments that stand out (mostly because of old age) I can truly say that being in band was the best experience that I had during my junior and senior high school days.  I can remember though, the audition day that took place with Mr. Clark at the end of sixth grade.  I was terrified to say the least.  He had asked us to sing solo, a few lines of the national anthem.  I had never sang in front of anyone by myself, not even my parents!  Mr. Clark had such a gentle spirit about him and put me at ease immediately.  I can attest to the fact that with only two years of having Mr. Clark as my band director, I was not sure that I wanted to head on to the new band director, Mr. C. Paul Steuart.  Turned out that He wasn’t that bad though.  I can most assuredly say that if not for the firm foundation that had been formed under Mr. Clark’s tutelage, I would have probably not made it to 2nd chair flute in the symphonic band. 

 

Grad Name:                 Kimberly Surratt

Current Name:            Kimberly Miller

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1989

Years in Band:            2 – middle school, 1 – high school

Instrument Played:   Trumpet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Washington DC trip in 1986!  So much fun!

 

 

Grad Name:                 Patricia Thompson

Current Name:            Patricia Hutchens

City & State:                Mount Vernon, Ohio

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1954

Years in Band:            1948/49/50/51/52

Instrument Played:   Percussion/Baritone/Trombone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

I was in the original band.   We 7th grade girls were charmed by the handsome band director.  Loved it when JTVC would play "Stardust".

 

Punishment for chewing gum was wearing it on our nose.  JTVC undoubtedly was the GREATEST influence of my "music career".   He gave me a love for music of all kinds.   A "superman" in my life.

 

Grad Name:              Susan Ellen Thompson  

Current Name:            Susan O’Day

City & State:                Waynesville, North Carolina

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1969

Years in Band:            All through junior high and high school.

Instrument Played:   Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bass drum in pep band

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:   Majorette 4 years and head majorette senior year

Most Memorable Moments:

Band trips were wonderful. Football games and practices for that were wonderful. Mr. Clark was an awesome teacher and a wonderful person. I have nothing but good memories of him. He treated us with such respect that it was easy to respect him, in turn.

 

Grad Name:                 Louise Thomson

Current Name:            Louise Thomson Lashley

City & State:                Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1955

Years in Band:            6       

Instrument Played:   Clarinet, then Bass Clarinet last 3 years

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Drum Major, 1954-1955

Most Memorable Moments:  

Mr. Clark saw something in me that I could not see in myself.  I had never really enjoyed playing the clarinet, but that was the instrument he needed when I joined the band the second half of sixth grade.

 

One of the happiest days of my school life was the day toward the end of my ninth grade, when he asked me if I wanted to switch to the bass clarinet, following the graduation that year of the girl who was playing it.   I jumped at the chance, and loved that instrument the three years I played it!

 

Toward the end of my junior year, he asked me if I’d consider being the Drum Major during my last year in high school.  This was something I never saw myself doing, so I was completely shocked and thrilled to be asked.

 

This man imbued me with confidence at times when it seemed most lacking in my life.  My own father died a month following my 14th birthday, and though he probably never knew it, Mr. Clark became a father-figure to me.  And like a father, he never failed to hand out discipline when it was necessary.  I wore gum on the end of my nose once, when he caught me chewing during band class, a punishment he had made clear would happen!  He was as moral a man as I’ve ever met, and he set the bar really high for other men who came and went in the years to follow.   The life he lived and the example he set, made me want to be a decent human being, as well.  I’ve been asked many times who I look upon as having had the most positive influence on me during my school years, and without a moment’s hesitation I always say:  

 

John T. V. Clark, Jr.

 

Grad Name:              Cliff Travis

Current Name:          no known alias!

City & State:                Inverness (Citrus County) Florida – since 1982

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1972

Years in Band:            6        ’66 – ’72 [or seven, if you count the senior year in

                                stage band class as double-band!]

Instrument Played:   French Horn   (valve trombone in stage band)

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Stage Band in ’71-’72 school year

Most Memorable Moments:

Way too many ……….   all three Travis kids were in the band all six years. Jeff and I shared a French horn (and he was Drum Major) and Cindy played flute.  Our Mom was an ER nurse early in her career, so Jeff and I got the word that we would NOT play football, and bad things would happen if we were seen around town on a motorcycle…..so we were in the band.

 

I had Mr. Clark as a teacher more than any other teacher at ZHS, all six years in grades 7-12 plus a year of stage band as a senior (I think the first year he gave that class) no place in a dance band for a French horn, and he was short of trombones, so he dug out an antique valve trombone and put me up in the back row next to Ken——I never did learn to read bass clef,  but it was tuned in b-flat so I just read off a trumpet part and we made do…..

 

All his students had a tremendous respect for Mr. Clark as a teacher and a musician–he could play ANYTHING–and as an individual. We knew that in little ‘ole ZHS John Clark was an Ivy League grad (Columbia) and had been an Air Force officer navigator on bomber missions over Germany, but he was most of all a family man.

 

Ken was in my class of 1972 and we grew up together and hung out in a brainy refuge of nerdiness before it got to be cool……  Steve and Bruce were behind in the classes with my brother and sister……band class was FUN!!!  (unless you dropped your mouthpiece).  Do you remember anybody who would cut band class on purpose?? 

 

Thursday night band practices and the bus trips to those away games….(ahem) what happens on the band bus…..

 

Mr. Clark planted a life-long love of music in EVERY kid he taught, not just the ones who became musicians themselves—–and I was only there for six of the forty years—–boy, we were lucky.

 

Who among us has yet to throw out that old collection of hundreds of record    albums???  C’mon, fess up—-a high-end stereo was important furniture to us then and now, and it’s all Mr. Clark’s fault…….  I still regret missing his funeral because I was tied up in a murder trial up here and not able to break loose to come to Z-hills for a few hours.

 

Grad Name:                 Diane Tyre  

Current Name:            Diane Tyre Meyer 

City & State:                Blue Ridge, Georgia 

Email Address:           [email protected] 

Class Year:                  1972 

Years in Band:            1966-1972 

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Pep Band – Captain 1972

Most Memorable Moments:

All I can say is Mr. Clark changed our lives in such a positive way. He was strict, but always fair. And he taught us so much about music. Even today when I hear music on the radio, I hear the "Do,Re,Mi,Fa,So,La,Ti,Do" in my head along with the notes. He taught us discipline, and self-confidence. We will miss him.

 

Grad Name:              George Uterhardt

Current Name:          George Uterhardt

City & State:             Stone Mountain, Georgia

Email Address:         [email protected]
Class Year:               1960 graduate of Chamberlain HS where one of our band  

                                contests was held.  I had mentioned that I would like to go

                                there, and the next year I did.  It was not under good

                                circumstances that I left ZHS; my parents divorced and I

                                had to leave. 
Years in Band:          1954-1958 (7th thru 10th grades)

Instrument Played:   Tuba
Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

 

Grad Name:                 Mary Ann Welch

Current Name:            Mary Ann Welch Johnson

City & State:                Trenton, Florida

(Gilchrist County, the #1 school district in the state of FL 2007) does not even offer music in the elementary curriculum!

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1975

Years in Band:            7             

Instrument Played:   Clarinet and Bassoon

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Majorette     1974 and 1975

Most Memorable Moments:

Band in general was just the greatest experience for me.  I hate to see the movement in education away from music for students.  I am so thankful for memories and great times in band.

 

I am sorry I will not be able to attend the festivities on March 1^st but will be there in spirit.   Mary Ann

 

Grad Name:              Joe Wells

Current Name:          Joe Wells

City & State:             Brandon, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1973

Years in Band:          6 years

Instrument Played:   Coronet and Baritone

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:    Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

During the summer of 1972 several band members including myself spent a week at the University of Florida as members of the Florida All State Marching Band representing the ZHS band. We had more fun than the law should have allowed … it was a blast, seven days and six nights on a university campus. It was great!!! 

 

Grad Name:                 Lyndall Wheeler

Current Name:            Lyndall Kennedy

City & State:                Live Oak, FL

Email Address:          

Class Year:                  1953

Years in Band:            2 years

Instrument Played:   Drums

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Football games and just being together with the other band members. 

 

Grad Name:              Pat Whitehead

Current Name:          Pat Bodiford

City & State:             Lakeland, Florida

Email Address:         [email protected]

Class Year:               1959

Years in Band:          1951 thru 1959

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

My most memorable moments were so many. Band made my day. I lived for Band. The football games we practiced so hard for, and the parades we were invited to were so much fun. The District and State Contests we would attend especially the ones we would get straight superior would make Mr. Clark so happy because he felt the hard work he did with us had paid off. He was the best! Another memorable moment was when he would sit in his chair and play his Trumpet with his left hand and direct the band with his right hand, this was very neat. I hated to graduate because I would not see Mr. Clark and play my Clarinet anymore. By the way I still have my Clarinet and I look at it from time to time and remember so much. I’ll cherish my years in the band and always remember how much Mr. Clark meant to me.

 

Grad Name:              Suzanne Winters

Current Name:          Suzanne Winters Jarrett

City & State:             Zephyrhills, Florida

Email Address:         g[email protected] 

Class Year:                1967

Years in Band:          1962-1967

Instrument Played:   Clarinet

Majorette/Drum Major/Jazz Band/Flag Corp:     Jazz Band

Most Memorable Moments:

We had to march outside on the sidewalk, playing by ourselves for a grade when everyone else could hear you play.  You just knew the whole school was watching and listening to you.

 

Grad Name:                 Wayne "Darby" Witham

Current Name:            Wayne ‘Darby’ Witham

City & State:                Bradenton, Florida

Email Address:           [email protected]

Class Year:                  1955

Years in Band:            6

Instrument Played:   Clarinet and Bass Drum (marching band)

Majorette/Drum Major/(Jazz Band)/Flag Corp:

Most Memorable Moments:

Hard to single any out.  I always enjoyed the football games and the regional and state band contests.  And I enjoyed picking on Louise.  I apologize for the latter.

 

I remember Mr. Clark’s "family" band playing at the old VFW Hall (Zephyr Park).  I don’t remember the occasions, but they were there several times.  I’m sure there were school functions.  Thanks for the memories …

 

                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

If you have a special memory of Mr. Clark or being in band, feel free to email your story to me.  See the format above for the information needed.  This was a fun project and I know you will enjoy reading it as much as I did … Clereen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Articles from the Zephyrhills News as noted in the new book:

Tapestry – History of Zephyrhills High School
and Education in Zephyrhills

100^th Anniversary

Summaries and Overviews Written and Original Research Compiled by Madonna Jervis Wise, LMHC    Retired School Principal

As the conduit, ZHS offered the community entertainment. Annual operettas and drama productions provided entertainment that brought together the entire town and surrounding areas. Every year a play was featured-in April 1927 for 25 cents, you could see, ‘For Love of Money,’ in February 1932, it was ‘Fickle Fortune-A Comedy in Three Acts’ and in January 1935, ‘Black Eyed Susan.’ For fifteen cents, you could hear songs and laugh at the era’s jokes. Often the pageants and plays incorporated numbers from community musicians or one of the several community bands such as the 1933 Wright’s Orchestra, the 1933 Skogstad’s Orchestra, 1919 Hawaiian Orchestra, and the Zephyrhills Cornet Band. Civic leaders participated along with students in the productions, as well.

ZHS had a variety of different Glee Clubs throughout its early history. Imagine the melodious singing! Prevalent in early ZHS history, the Glee Club provided not only musical education but community entertainment. For example, in the 1956 and 1957 ZHS Baccalaureate Services, ZHS Music Teacher, Alice Zimmerman, led the ZHS Glee Club in religious songs such as ‘God Be With You Until We Meet Again,’ and ‘Halls of Ivy’.

The 1954 graduating class enjoyed three community matriarchs, Mrs. Roy Beddingfield, Mrs. Charles Campbell, and Mrs. P.H. Murphy Jr. who presented musical selections with the ZHS Glee Club. The Glee Club’s recital in 1947 was described by the News as, ‘A fine program of vocal and instrumental music was given at the local high school auditorium last Friday evening by the students of the high school Music Department under the direction of Miss Hoffman, Supervisor.’

Frank Hanson, President of the ZHS Glee Club, acted as Master of Ceremonies with students, Jean McGavern playing a piano solo and Barbara Sabin, a violin solo accompanied by Martha Mae Keller.’ The ten graduates in 1943 enjoyed their baccalaureate on Sunday, May 23, with Reverend Mathis and music furnished by the High School Glee Club.

A series of Glee Club musicals/operettas were community hits in years 1939 to 1942. The News reported in April, 1942 that Mrs. Mildred Byrd, Director, promised a good performance from the Glee Club and for 15 cents you could see the Glee Club’s Musical Comedy, ‘Pickles.’ In 1940, the ZHS Glee Club presented the Operetta, ‘The Belle of Bagdad,’ while in 1939, the News reported, ‘You have a chance to see this story in action with good music in ‘Hollywood Extra,’ with several new voices being introduced in the operetta with sparkling humor.’ In 1938, the Glee Club appeared to be gender-specific with the Girls ZHS Glee Club entertaining at the graduation.

In regard to bands, ZHS has had stage bands, concert bands, symphonic bands, jazz bands, marching bands and more. In 1982, the News reported,

In 1976, the symphonic band played at Kennedy Space center … Bandmaster C. Paul Steuart said about 80 students will perform during the afternoon concert, although 140 uniformed students will attend. In 1964, the News reported, Zephyrhills High School Band and continually plays a leading role in school and class activities, meantime maintaining a high scholastic standing with John T.V. Clark as Director. Lee Fox started the initial Zephyrhills School Band years ago with only 16 instruments in 1943 and John T.V. Clark developed the modern ZHS band with uniforms and cohesiveness in 1948. The tradition lives on today with Russell Schmidt as band director.

Two highly influential faculty members who were to have a long tenure and tremendous influence on the unfolding ZHS came on board in the late 1940’s and the impact they leave on ZHS are significant in 2007 in the legacy of sports and music-these individuals were none other than John T.V. Clark and Coach Johnny Clements. ZHS was able to recruit a coach of high stature who was himself a professional athlete prior to coming to ZHS. Johnny came in 1948 and did not retire from ZHS until 1983.

The other influential staff member was John T.V. Clark who establishes the formal marching band program for the school. His first act was to lobby for ‘real band uniforms’ of which money was raised and ZHS was able to purchase the used Lakeland High School Band uniforms as their first official marching attire. He also worked successfully on the purchase and funding of band instruments as well.
Lots of community camaraderie revolved around this band development. Glee Clubs were prominent in the literature-for example in April 1942 the ZHS Glee club produced ‘Pickles,’ – a musical comedy about a millionaire who arrive in Vienna with several unlikely plots developing along the way!

 

• 1949 – ZHS purchased the first band uniforms-used from Lakeland High School; band director, John T.V. Clark was determined to form a marching band.

 

 

Zephyrhills News, July 30, 1977

John T.V. Clark, in answer to a former student, stated that he started the ZHS Band in 1948 with 18 or 20 students and now has 220 band students a day with 70 in Middle School Band.

 

 

 

 

Bruce Clark goes thru his Dad’s music and finds the following:

• Jack Golly big band – in Virginia Beach appx 1962-66.  He played in this band for 25 years in Tampa and for a few summers they would play at a beach resort in Va Beach for 3-4 weeks.  It was a very good band and he would bring the whole family with him and basically use it as a "paid vacation" (for us, anyway) – while out of school in the summer.  He eventually had Steve and I audition with this band, and we worked our way into the band in the mid-late 1970’s.  Steve left town (graduated college) in appx 1981 and I continued with them (and smaller combo’s) up into the late 1980’s, but my CPA career interfered with the time demands.  Thereafter, I continued, but much more part time.
•  
• Band Practice – There are about 4 songs with him leading the ZHS band playing his trumpet at the band hall – not real pretty, but it is nostalgic.  No real guess as to vintage – was from an old reel-to-reel tape, probably in the 50-60’s.
•  
• Mackinaw Island – In 1979 (a year after Mom died and Dad retired), Dad, Steve and I all 3 played in a big band at the Grand Hotel / resort for 3 months on Mackinaw Island in Michigan.  We were in the "house" dance band for the social set, and we alternated with a true jazz quartet from Detroit each evening for 4 hours. Dad actually wrote and arranged most of the songs recorded here at the request of the band leader.  Steve and I were in college at USF at the time and were out for the summer.  This was a beautiful island accessible only by ferry and no cars allowed – just bikes and horses.  They shot a movie there that summer starring Christopher Reeves, Jayne Seymour and Christopher Plummer – all at our hotel ("Somewhere In Time").  Dad actually played as an "extra" in the film in the band in the grand dining room in his tuxedo (and even rec’d separate pmt from the actors guild). Steve and I would play tennis on their private courts and Christopher Plummer would be on the court next to us taking lessons with their pro – giving us nasty looks when we would hit a stray ball into his court.
•  
• Johnny Gore w/ Dad and Audrey (his wife) – Johnny Gore, ZHS Class of ’55 who passed away in 2003, was one of Dad’s most accomplished students (musicians) of all time, who went on to be a Nashville studio musician and toured with Mel Tillis.  There are about 3-4 songs of him playing at our house with Dad on piano, mother on bass fiddle and Johnny on sax.  One also includes another talented former student, Jim Johnson, who was an accomplished trombone player.  Not sure of vintage.
•  
• Radio Commercial – this is a 2 minute studio band recording that Dad, Steve and I were hired to play with (again thru Jack Golly in Tampa), to record the background music for a radio commercial for a bank.  The song is "On the sunny side of the street", but the song was redubbed "On the MONEY side of the street" for the commercial.  This is the music without the overdub of the voice / commercial.
•  
• Jack Golly – There are 1 or 2 songs of the Golly big band in appx 1980, which also includes Steve and I as well.  This band played all of the major society "gigs" in the Tampa Bay area during that era.  We would play for all of the Gasparilla events, the pirate invasion (on the pirate ship itself), debutante balls, the 1984 Superbowl gala at Curtis Hixon, many, many shows with rehearsal bands for lots of big names at all of the major civic centers (Ruth Eckerd, St Pete, Curtis Hixon, Van Wezel, etc.).  We all loved our time together playing on these "jobs" (a/k/a gigs).