Cobb, Arnett, 1918–1989

In Houston in the 1930s Phyllis Wheatley High School in the Fifth Ward produced many talented musicians from the school’s acclaimed music program. The climate in the Houston community outside the school, was also condusive to the development of young musicians. Houston citizens frequently had opportunities to see national acts perform in local venues such as the Puritan Temple, the Houston City Auditorium and Loew’s Theater. This was an inspirational introduction to music for Houston’s young people.

Phyllis Wheatley High School and Jack Yates High School, both in Houston, rivaled each other in sports and band. The rivalry between the two schools encouraged the band students to compete with each other and push their abilities to their full potential. In later years students from Yates, Wheatley and Washington high schools frequently found themselves playing together in professional bands as adults.

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