Howard was one of a kind...brilliant musician and bandleader. He was a peach of a guy. He often combined with director Tony Burton to put on musicals at the school. A vivid memory I have of him was this time that the band played in the gym for a special presentation. It was the senior band. He was directing away when he spotted me and signalled me to come over. I went..." here! ", he said, here's the baton, take over! I did as he said and he took off. I never directed a band in my life. He knew that I played the accordion so he put complete trust in my directing the band...I did for a while...until I realized what I was doing...then I suddenly stopped (and, of course, the band stopped playing!)...everyone broke up laughing...including me...thank you Howard!!!
Anthony Fantillo (Teacher)
Howard was one of a kind...brilliant musician and bandleader. He was a peach of a guy. He often combined with director Tony Burton to put on musicals at the school. A vivid memory I have of him was this time that the band played in the gym for a special presentation. It was the senior band. He was directing away when he spotted me and signalled me to come over. I went..." here! ", he said, here's the baton, take over! I did as he said and he took off. I never directed a band in my life. He knew that I played the accordion so he put complete trust in my directing the band...I did for a while...until I realized what I was doing...then I suddenly stopped (and, of course, the band stopped playing!)...everyone broke up laughing...including me...thank you Howard!!!