Professional Notes: “White Bucks” and the Dawn of a Career
Abstract
MEJspmejMusic Educators Journal0027-43211945-0087SAGE PublicationsSage CA: Los Angeles, CA10.1177/002743211143610010.1177_0027432111436100DepartmentsProfessional Notes“White Bucks” and the Dawn of a CareerWagnerMichael J.320129832829© 2012 National Association for Music Education2012MENC: The National Association for Music EducationIn the Reston, Virginia, headquarters of the National Association for Music Education, there’s a huge picture of a band, chorus, and orchestra at the MENC Golden Anniversary bash in St. Louis, Missouri, dated April 16, 1956. I’m the clarinet player in the third row on the left front with the shocking white shoes—the only male so attired. Why the white shoes? There’s a story here.As a high school musician, I was chosen to play in the first ever all-American band. Dad and Mom didn’t have what’s now termed the “disposable income” to send me. I was a senior, still riding my bike to school. It was 1956, and singer Pat Boone was big on the pop music charts. Every kid on the block wanted a pair of shoes called “white bucks” just like Pat wore.Being the sinister character I guess I was, and knowing that Dad was going to somehow find the money so I could get a round-trip train ticket to St. Louis for this stellar event, I convinced