DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / October 21, 2000

RESERVE – Whether you remember him as the General, the Chief or Dr. Watkins, Adrian Watkins Sr., is known for his ability as band director, choirdirector composer and arranger in the St. John Parish school system.Retired after 34 year of teaching in St. John, Watkins moved out to NewOrleans East in 1998. Pastor Stephen Perrilloux was reminded by a fellowclassmate, both former students of Watkins, that the Chief needed to be honored. “Later while I was praying, the spirit of God reminded me and toldme to pursue this,” said Perrilloux.

Perrilloux got to work and come November 11, St. John Parish will celebrateWatkins as it has been proclaimed Dr. Watkins Day. A parade will be held,marching from Fifth Ward Elementary to Leon Godchaux Junior High to East St. John High School. Afterwards, a banquet in his honor will be held.Watkins was born into a musical family. His brother gave him his firsttrumpet. His uncle started his instruction into musical theory and writing. Bythe time he entered high school at Booker T. Washington, he was alreadycomposing. “They used to call me the General because I had more medalsthan anyone,” said Watkins with his familiar rolling laugh.

He wrote his first overture while in school. “I can’t remember the name, butthe students called it the Mosquito Overture, because its whole notes made it so slow,” said Watkins.

With God’s help, which he attributes his talent and the path he has carved out in his life to, he continued to expand his musical knowledge while still in high school. He began playing the organ, piano, and bass all while expertlyplaying the trumpet.

Before graduating from high school, Watkins studied with George Johnson, who helped to get him a scholarship to the Juillard School of Music in New York. Unfortunately, the trip to the prestigious school never came about. “I was teaching my girlfriend to drive and she ran into a post,” Watkins said with another rolling laugh. “After that, my parents said if we can’t trust youhere, we’re not sending you there.”Watkins went on to Xavier University in New Orleans where he tested at the Junior and Senior level for music. As a new freshman in college, he played inthe jazz band and the concert band. He also played the trumpet solos,started working with various churches around town directing and playing the organ and still found time to teach music lesson at night school.

On weekends he would play in his uncle’s bands, thanking God that he had such a close contact to get him where he was.

In 1965, he graduated from Xavier and started to teach at Fifth Ward.

Watkins never really wanted to go to St. John Parish. “I was a city boy, toogreen. I was scared of all those trees and grass. I was always ready for asnake or bigfoot to jump out of the trees,” he said.

His attitude quickly changed as the community rose to welcome him. “Thekindness is what kept me. It’s a powerful thing,” said Watkins. He had neverseen so much kindness or so many people ready to help.

The school band only had seven instruments. In a month, he had a marchingband on the football field. From garage sales, he would get old instrumentsand repair them. Some parents would donate old equipment. Then “one moreboy would have a horn to play,” said Watkins. The desire was there in thekids. They all wanted to learn. “They were so dedicated,” said Watkins.He asked the principal, Lydia Richard, if they could practice an hour before school started. The bus didn’t run that early, so the kids got their parents tobring them by before school. They also practiced during their lunch hour andan hour after school. That’s how Fifth Ward had a marching team within amonth. “Practice really does it,” said Watkins. The booster club helped the band out incredibly, buying a new piano and turning the band room into a recording studio. “We had the smallest bandroom in the parish, but we had the best equipment,” said Watkins.

The group cut four records, not just marching tunes, but a wide variety of styles. They played soul, rock, gospel, classical and more. “We developed alot of good discipline and marched in a lot of parades,” said Watkins.

Representative Joe Accardo asked Watkins to bring his band to the opening of Interstate 10 in 1975.

Every year the band would work toward a Christmas concert and a spring festival. The gymnasium would be packed every time. The band even playedfor a few funerals, marching in the recessional for honored citizens.

All through his career and into retirement, Watkins has composed and arranged music. He has written for most all of the high schools in NewOrleans. Dr. Hampton at St. Augustine High School currently sells Watkinsmusic all over the country for him. LSU has even played his arrangements,bought from a company in California.

His goal, motto and pledge has always been to “Make The Better Best.”There is always better out there, said Watkins. “The kids used to meet meat the car begging for knowledge,” he added. He thanks God that he was ableto be one that ignited that fire and passion for something.

Many of his students now play all over the world. Many have continued on toget doctoral degrees in music. “Several students make more than I evermade,” said Watkins with a laugh.

“It’s a good feeling to make the better best for my kids,” said Watkins. Hewould do it all over again if God allowed it, he added.

In his life his most important roles was first as a minister, ordained in the Baptist church.

His children, Adrian Jr., Deandrea and Ariane all play instruments. His wife,Evelyn, as well, plays the piano. His children will be performing a medley atthe banquet that Watkins wrote for them.

“Knowledge is power,” said Watkins. To teach music, inspire his students andinstill the desire to continue to learn has made 34 years of teaching a God send. If he could start all over again, Watkins said he has the will and desireto do so.

Now he continues inspiring his students by the values and discipline he instilled in them at an early age, and the music he continues to arrange and compose to bring a smile of joy to the audience’s faces.

To support this event and Dr. Watkins, please contact Pastor StevenPerrilloux at 536-1053.

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