A Treasure of a Tubist   

                                  Our featured band member for October deserves a page all his own.  So, this month's Spotlight will shine on Mr. Charles H. Huffman for October, November, and December.

        Mr. Huffman, one of the founding members of the community band, is a local celebrity and a West Tennessee treasure.  He also is the oldest member of JACB.  At 79-years-young, Charlie, as he is affectionately called by his peers, performs on tuba in the Concert Band, and is principal tuba for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.  He's also had experience in past years in the community jazz band, performing on bass guitar.

        Charlie began his successful music career in the Navy in 1950, where he was a musician on land and sea.  He played in and arranged for Unit Bands on the USS Missouri and New Jersey battleships.  He also was an instructor for the US Navy School of Music.  Before entering the Navy, Charlie received a BA from Maryville (TN) College in 1949, where he majored in music, theory, and composition.

        In 1954, Charlie left the Navy and received his Master's degree from The University of Texas at Austin on a full academic scholarship.  While there, he studied with greats like Kent Kennon, Clifton Williams, and Bernard Fitzgerald.

        After spending 11 years as a high school band director in Florida and Tennessee, Charlie accepted the position of Professor of Music at Union University (Jackson, TN) in 1967.  There, he conducted the Symphonic band; arranged music; taught theory, composition, and applied brass.  He also conducted and arranged for the university's Stage Band.

        While at Union, Charlie became the arranger for the Miss Tennessee Pageant, Inc., and later was hired as the orchestra conductor and arranger, where he served in that position until 1994.  In 1992, he retired from Union University, but the music and Charlie have never retired.  Thank goodness!

        Through all of his years of teaching, Mr. Huffman, has earned the respect of many talented musicians.  He has had many former private and band students go on to be very successful in their careers.  Charlie still is a very renowned and respected conductor, arranger, composer, teacher, and performer.  Not only does he maintain his principal chair in the JSO, but he continues to arrange charts for guest Symphony performers like the late Carl Perkins, the Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels, and Johnny Rivers.  He also is a member of the Jackson Symphony Brass Quintet.

          In addition to performing, arranging, and composing, Charlie still devotes time to teach youth in jr. and sr. high school bands.  He is well-respected among band directors for his wonderful music arrangements and low brass master classes.  Charlie has even arranged music for our community band, and has been a featured soloist on several occasions.

        Mr. Charles H. Huffman is truly a gem of a person and musician, which is why so many musicians feel he IS a musical treasure!