"Since McDougle was from Greenville it was deemed wise to elect a president from the west in 1941 — Julian Helms of Hendersonville and in 1942 we went back east and elected W. Thomas Hearne from Henderson. All activities were cancelled during the war, so Tom held office for four years."

Herbert Hazelman, NCBA President (1947-1948)
Taken from the September, 1989,
North Carolina Music Educators Journal.
Compiled by Patricia Garren.


From the obituary of Charles F. Blackburn:
"Mr. Blackburn graduated from Henderson High School in 1942 where he had been a drummer in the marching band directed by Thomas Hearne that marched down Fifth Avenue in New York City in the spring of his senior year."