My parents sent me to Holy Cross High School (an all male Catholic School) in New Orleans, LA, in the fall of 1966. I entered the 7th grade to start my musical adventure with the trumpet. On arrival at Holy Cross, I was offered something called an “elective” course. They mentioned the various options of sports, chess, etc. When I heard “music”, I said “yes” and signed up for the Band elective course. At the time, the head of the Music Department was Mr. Frank “Frankie Mann” Mannino. I visited his office and indicated that I would like to play trumpet. He looked at me with a squinted eye, and asked if I was sure, because I looked kinda small to be playing the trumpet. I said yes, I wanted to play the trumpet. He directed his son, Marco Mannino (2 years my elder) to lend me his trumpet and see if I could “blow” the horn. I put Marco’s trumpet to my lips and blew my guts out. I guess it was good enough to convince “Prof” that I was trumpet material. He reluctantly said “OK”, and my career with the trumpet thus began.

My mother bought me a Besson Stratford trumpet to start with. I loved playing the trumpet, and took it seriously, and progressed up the ranks from flat out beginner to a decent player. I eventually moved up to play First Trumpet in the Marching Band, Concert Band, and eventually the Stage (Jazz) Band.

Around 1969-1970, my playing became good enough that I felt it was time for me to obtain a better instrument. I raised this idea with my private music instructor, Mr. Joseph Lewis, who was the father of my good fiend in the band, Ray Lewis. “Papa Joe” suggested I look into getting a Getzen Eterna, Severinsen Model. I did so with enthusiasm and paid around $400 for the instrument. It was a wonderous moment when the brand-spanking-new instrument arrived. I was so impressed with the beauty of the brand new instrument. I was not really good enough to appreciate its playing quality, but if the instrument could help me play better, so much the better. My enthusiasm for playing was certainly elevated with this new instrument.