band directors

Don Banks was a band director who felt he could have more of an impact on music makers by providing them with quality instruments. In 1967 he opened Don Banks Music in Tampa, Florida to serve the local school bands. Over the years he expanded the store to include a full line of product offerings and repair service for all musicians. Don’s son, Mitchel, joined the company right out of school as did Don’s grandson.

Mitchel Banks has been working in the music store his father established as far back as he can remember. After serving as a band director, Don Banks formed his retail store in Tampa in 1967. Mitchel worked side by side with his father and took an active role in band instrument repair as well as using the ever-changing technology, such as the Internet, to benefit the business. Mitchel is also active in industry groups such as NAPBIRT, NAMM, NASMD and RPMDA.

Janet Barrett feels strongly that if each person played their part in music education, the American system would gain the strength it needs to provide a meaningful element in the lives of each student. After serving as general music and choral teacher in the public school system, Janet became Associate Professor of Music Education at Northwester University in Evanston, Illinois. In this position she has studied and written on the subject of enhancing music education and working as an advocate to ensure students have the opportunity to be involved in music making.

Dale Beacock grew up with a love of band music. After college he was hired as a band director and he felt as if his dreams had come true. He worked hard to design methods of teaching that brought out the best in his students, and he always sought ways of improving his bands. Over the years he felt a need for stronger service from his local music stores and thought that other band directors would also benefit from such support. Along with his wife, he opened Beacock Music, which sold musical products, but focused on providing service to their customers. Today, the store is run by his children, who have kept the spirit of his mission as a foundation of their business. 

John H. Beck has an amazing talent for explaining the art of music making, not just teaching music, but providing meaning to the student in ways that fuel their passion.  As the principal timpanist for the Rochester Philharmonic and a well-respected professor at the Eastman School of Music, John H. Beck has made a lasting contribution to the music industry during his long career.  As a promoter of school programs, he oversaw important changes as president of the Percussive Arts Society that lead to more hands-on programs and demonstrations for students.

Harry Begian was one of the most respected band directors in the United States. Serving at the high school and college levels for over 45 years, Dr. Begian conducted his first band while he was in his teens. As the band director at Detroit’s Cass Technical High School and for 14 years at the University of Illinois, he taught his students respect for the classics and the power of team work. Acknowledging the importance of the Midwest Band Clinic on his career, he served on the board for the annual band conference and worked to improve the quality of its programs.  It was during the 2006 Midwest Clinic in which Dr. Begian was interviewed for the NAMM Oral History collection.

Richard Bennett served many roles during his long career in music, perhaps most notably as the sales rep for Wurlitzer towards the end of the 1960s. His involvement in retail and his philosophy on customer service have had a lasting effect on his success and the success of the dealers he would call on. This point has been proven time and time again as we have interviewed others in the industry who have remarked on Dick’s care for the retailer. His first job after serving in the Navy during World War II was as a band director. When he became a salesman for band instruments he could relate to the band directors on their own level and fought hard to provide additional support to bands just starting out.

John Bertrand has thoroughly enjoyed bringing music to the lives of young students. As a band director in the early part of his career he taught and encouraged children at nearly every grade level. As music retailer (he opened his first store in 1983) John has played a vital role in promoting and supporting school music programs by working with teachers and parents alike. John’s passion for music has also led to several programs that have raised money for school music programs as well as for purchasing instruments for those who could not afford the cost but who want to make music. 

Dr. Richard Brittain was invited to a small gathering of music educators in the months following World War II. The original goal of the meeting was to provide a venue for the music educators to distribute new music scores, which were difficult to obtain. The year was 1946. The first Midwest Band Clinic was born! Dr. Brittain was educated at VanderCook College, where he returned after the war and became one of the music college’s most esteemed professors. In addition to a rather distinguished teaching career, his work over the years has included several noted arrangements for the Neil A. Kjos Music Company . During the 2006 Midwest Band Clinic, Dr. Brittain was the honored guest, receiving many awards and special music tributes.

Harold Burt was just about 3 years old when a musician from a traveling circus came to his North Carolina town and sold his parents a clarinet for young Harold. His life has been filled with music ever since. In 1950, he established the first high school band in Cary, NC and he served as the program’s first musical director. In fact, Harold formed ten such bands before opening his own store, Burt’s Music. In 2000, the city of Cary honored Mr. Burt by asking him to be the grand marshall for the city’s annual parade.