Howard, George S.

Colonel George Sallade Howard (1902-1995) served as director of United States Air Force Band from 1944-1965. He began his career in music as a clarinetist in Pat Conways professional touring band (1922-1929). While earning multiple degrees in music performance and education, Howard taught music at the Mooseheart School in Mooseheart, Illinois (1929-1935), and the Ernest Williams School of Music and Summer Camp (summers between 1931 and 1937), Mansfield State Teachers College, PA (1936-1939), and Pennsylvania State College (1939-1942) before joining the Army Air Forces in 1942 (became the Air Force in 1947). Under Howards direction, the Air Force Band program grew to be a reputable force in music in the military; in addition to national concert tours, the group went on multiple overseas tours to Europe, Africa, and the Far East while Howard was director. After his retirement in 1963, Howard became director of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police band, a post he held for 10 years, and he continued his work as an active clinician for several high school and college bands. He and his wife, Sadako Howard, retired to San Antonio, Texas in 1978, where Howard remained until his death in 1995.

From the guide to the Colonel George S. Howard Papers, 1920-1994, 1940-1965, (Special Collections in Performing Arts)