Robert E. Lee High School Volunteer Band

Junior & Senior High School

NorthEast, MacArthur, Lee Images

Robert E. Lee High School
1959-1962
Sophomore, Junior, Senior Years

I Played In:

Marching Band, Concert Band, Stage Band -- Cal Schultz, Band Director
San Antonio Youth Symphony Orchestra, Richard Cole - Conductor
All-State Symphony Orchestra (all 3 years)

Hip Guys in the Lee music programs

Tom Bruner, guitar -- NTSU grad... successful studio musician/producer in Los Angeles and Nashville... currently in Las Vegas playing and teaching at UNLV
Al Hansen, saxophone -- from OLD Texas family... thought being a musician was "cool" but not "cool" enough to practice... besides he had too many girlfriends!!
Herb Schweppe, saxophone -- Herb was a straight-up guy... 20 year career as Field Artillery officer in the U.S. Army which included a stint at St. Mary's (where he got his degree) CO of the ROTC program. Herb died of melanoma cancer 9-19-2000.
Bill Buchanan, saxophone -- he was the guy in the band with the ~~brand new corvette~~ '57 Chevy -- I stand corrected!!! Bill has a film company in Dallas.
David Underwood, electric bass and guitar -- David studied and mastered the art of playing classical guitar... became THE classical guitarist and teacher in South Texas! Still loves Rock-n-Roll!!
Bob Schulman, bass, vocals -- 2 years older than the rest... Had an early "folk-vocal" group - the "Schulman Kids" with brother Jim and sister Eileen, both of whom became accomplished and successful musicians... Bob played both acoustic bass in jazz groups and rock electric bass. For several years was the leader of the band which played a popular club on the San Antonio River, the Garter. He's now a lawyer, "out of the music business," and living on a 35 acre "spread" north of S.A.
Rodney Obregon, trumpet - the last we heard about Rodney is that he "disappeared into the ozone" in San Francisco where he was playing jazz.
Howard Bernstein, drums -- Howard went to University of Texas, made a "perfect score on the LSATs" and became a lawyer.
Wayne Hensley, drums -- Wayne played for several years with local rock star Denny Ezba and the Goldens... word has it that he has taken over the family "coin-operated machine" business.
Studied Snare Drum & Drumset with Charlie Fox - 1960-1961
Member of Fourth US Army Band
Great big-band/show Player
GRADUATION!! -- May 1962

MacArthur High School
1958-1959
Freshman Year

I Played In:

Marching Band, Concert Band, Stage Band - John Pearson, Band Director
San Antonio Youth Symphony Orchestra
My First Drum Set (white marine pearl):
- Bass Drum - 14"x24" Ludwig from Jim Roumillat (smoke stained - Raven Room)
- Snare Drum - 5 1/2"x14" Ludwig WMP Classic from Fred Hoey at C Bruno & Sons (bought new)
- 9"x13" Tom Tom - Slingerland mounted on snare stand (from a pawn shop)
- Floor tom - 14"x28" Ludwig cocktail drum - no snares
- Zildjian 21" ride cymbal (bought with proceeds of bagging groceries at Ft. Sam Houston Commissary)
- Hi-Hats were HEAVY band 14" marching cymbals donated by Mr. Pearson
Had a next-door neighbor on Rexford Dr., Ted Sibley, who had played drums in school. Ted took an interest in my "music education" introducing me to paradiddles, Frank Sinatra, and stereo. He was a telephone technician and built the first stereo system I ever heard -- amp and pre-amp kits from the Allied Electronics catalog. I loved hanging out with him... his was the only air-conditioned house on the block!!

North East Junior High
1956-1958
7th Grade & 8th Grade Years

Beginning band -- Cal Schultz, band director
Jim Roumillat -- 323rd Army Band, first private teacher, rudiments, etc.