Ernest Douglas

Memory Book

Mr. Ernest Douglas,

Albany High School Music Teacher
Albany Community Orchestra Founder & Conductor

January 1, 1924 - March 4, 2017

 Contents
A teacher learns from his students, Ernest Douglas
Photo: The Ernie Douglas Band
Music education then and now, Deborah Blank
Guitar player at Albany, John James
Photo: 1959 Yearbook dedication
Small school with an excellent music program, Mike Wilson
Love of music lasts a lifetime, Renee Comte
Photo: Classic AHS Band shot
The right teacher can make an impact lasting a lifetime, Ian Wright
Playing it forward, Pete Rios
Photo: Marching Band, early 70s
Preparing the next generation of music teachers, Patricia Meissner-Kast
Starting the viola as an adult, Jos Burns
Photo: AHS Yearbook, 1969
The little girl who came to Adult Orchestra practice, Diane Schoenfeld
The band room was a sanctuary, Ingrid Schwab
Photo: AHS Jazz Band, 1981
Albany Chamber Orchestra, Cathy Douglas
Following your dreams, Kim Denton
Photo: AHS Jazz Band at Cazadero, 1973
Lots of hours and lots of fun, Claudia Farbman
Band Geek, Larry Harada
Photo: Flaggies
This is how to make learning fun, Chrysti (van Eckhardt) Lawrence
Finding that swing, Beverly Hall
Mrs. Douglas (Gerry), Cathy Douglas
Ernest Douglas, teacher & father, John Douglas
Photo: Band Trip, taken by Kanna Aoki
East Bay Times article, Damin Esper
Acknowledgements
 A teacher learns from
his students
One thing young music teachers learn in a hurry is
that you often learn more from your students than
you did from University classes. In my case, I was
good at conducting orchestra, fair with concert band,
but woefully deficient when it came to jazz band. It
didn't help that we had no jazz band period, but only
"sandwich rehearsals' during lunch period, and that I
had no real experience leading contemporary HS
jazz groups. I learned a great deal about improv and
style from John Yi and Charlie Tronoff; about drums
from Ian Wright; and about keyboard and bass from
Gino Blacknell and several others. I didn't get really
good, but I improved thanks to them.
In my first year at Albany High (1952) I was inspired
by the professionalism of Laurie McGaw, and later
learned much about flute possibilities from Liz Comte
and Sue Gershenson; about horn from Margaret
Tufft and Ross Gershenson; and about the clarinet
form a long line of more-than-competent principal
clarinetists. Teachers should never stop learning,
and your students are a gold mine. Mine were.

~ Ernest Douglas
 Add a little bit of body text

The Ernie Douglas Band

"ThisAdd subheading
is my first band that I organized
in 1938. My high school had no
instrumental music, so I had to do this
on my own."
 Music education, then and now
I am so grateful that I grew up in a community in
Northern California in which music was valued deeply
and thus, taught to all students in the public schools
from a young age (4th grade, age 8 or 9), and where
those of us who wanted to could learn to play a musical
instrument (or two), or join a choir from the fourth grade
on....
Our public high schools in Albany offered classes for
instrumental, concert band, and marching band (jazz
band met at lunch), and orchestra. I enrolled in all of
these for four years! (All were taught and led by our late,
great and beloved music teacher, Ernest Douglas).
There was also a full program for singers with different
choirs and all part of the school curriculum and school
day.
Sadly, many of these music programs have been
canceled in recent years across California due to lack of
funding, or meet only after school, such as the Jazz
band in my hometown, where from time-to-time I have
been honored to take over the drums for a song or two,
when this band performs at local public events, such as
the Solano Stroll.

-- Deborah Blank
 Guitar player at Albany
My name is John James and I was a non-music student at Albany
High School. I played guitar which was not an instrument in the
school system. I was friends with Ian Wright, who Mr. Douglas said
was one of the best musicians he ever had at Albany High.
My story is this: I was to practice with Ian in the Band Room after
school one afternoon. However, Ian couldn’t make the rehearsal
because he had just got word he could do his first professional
recording job at Fantasy Studios that afternoon. If I remember right it
was for a United Airlines TV commercial.
Because my father had dropped of my amplifier earlier that day at
AHS I asked Mr. Douglas if I could keep the amplifier until my father
could come and get it. He said I could keep it there as long as I
wanted.
What was more meaningful and impacted me greatly was he told
me many of todays (then) rocks guitarists learned their skills playing
Classical guitar. He said he would find me music and other things
that would help me and in fact he did. This continued at least once a
week for my time at AHS. I still play today and reminded of those
days with Mr. Douglas whenever I play a piece of classical music.
Why I’m writing is that I had brought in some recordings of rock
and jazz guitarists of the day (which is circa 1973) for Mr. Douglas to
hear as I had heard many things similar in their playing to what he
had taught me, and he made the comment he was learning from me
now.
I bring this to your attention because your father wrote on his
Facebook page how he had learned from his students.

-- John James
Yearbook Dedication, 1959

To Mr. Ernest Douglas, instrumental music

instructor, whose ever all geniality,
readiness, and willingness to help has
endeared him to every student of Albany
High School, we, the staff, dedicate the
1959 Cougar.
 Small school with an
excellent music program

Dear Mr. Douglas, Thank you for the gift of music that you
gave us all. I remember all the great times, the state music
competitions where we always did well. We had a small
school, but you were always able to get the best out of us. I
remember playing Handel's Water Music Suite with one
trumpet per part and it sounded great. Of course, with Fritz
Loura in the band, it had to be amazing. I remember the
1812 overture with Bob Onweller and I think Keith Helwig
shooting their shotguns with blanks for the cannons (we
probably couldn't do that today :) ). I remember the "James
G.McKenna Fighting and Yelling Fight Song" you wrote for
my cousin Jim McKenna. I remember you having us attempt
to play the band arrangement for Tchaikovsky's 4th
Symphony where the trumpet played the violin part
(impossible) then introducing us to Laurie McGaw the next
week (who had played it perfectly when he was in the band).
I ended up taking lessons from him after high school.

So, thank you for those great memories and for helping to
shape the lives of so many of us grateful students. We have
always had great love for you. Thanks.

~ Mike Wilson
Love of music lasts a lifetime

I graduated from Albany High in 1960 and was

so fortunate to have Doug as my band and
orchestra director, teacher, and touchstone for 5
years. I wrote him a letter when I graduated
telling him I had wished he'd been my dad. He
has remained a significant part of my life since
that time. I was able to continue to play music in
college because of him and perhaps even more
important, the appreciation he taught me for
music-esp. all kinds of live music-has brought so
much joy and happiness to my life over all these
years. He will always be one of the gifts of my
life!

~ Renee Comte
Albany High School Band
This photo was taken around 1960
 The ‘right teacher’ can make
an impact lasting a lifetime
From a young age I played and studied music. I started with piano and
accordion. I have a photo showing me at age 2 playing piano. I was sharply
dressed with a bow tie. It’s adorable.
In 5th grade I began to play drums taking the art very seriously. Sometime
during 6th grade (at Marin School) I approached the music teacher and said “I
would like to join the Orchestra, next year." The teacher’s response wasn’t --
“what do you play?” - “are you taking private lessons?” - “let’s set up an
audition." Instead - I was hit with a flat “no” (no music pun intended.) I then
was additionally informed that I could never be a musician and didn’t have
what it takes to be one. To me none of this made sense without first having an
audition. Moreover, I never gave rise to receive such treatment. I know I
wasn’t an angelic child, but I was damn close!
After telling my mother of this experience - (like any Mom) she went to have
a word with the teacher. Mom too was told what I had been told. And Mom
was further informed that she (Mom) lacked the proper training to contradict
the teacher’s opinion.
So, the alternative was to wait for 8th grade and sign up for band at AHS.
To avoid any complications when the time came, I talked with Mr. Douglas. He
assured me that I could sign up for Beginning Band and no audition was
necessary. After that, we’ll see how things go.
I’ll never forget the first day of Beginning Band. Drummers had to play on
the wood seat chairs as the drums were only reserved for the Band. Because
the drums were on the top tier of the riser type floor design, drummers were
brought down to the second tier which had me close to the conductor’s
podium. Before we began to play, Mr. Douglas looked at me with a very
intense and serious look and simply said “glad to see you, you seem
determined to be here, - let’s see what you’ve got.” I felt comfortable and
welcomed and that band room would later become a second home for me. It
was my place of Solitude.
I made music a career and have played and performed with some of the
greatest musicians and entertainers in the world thanks to the belief and
support of a great man – Ernest Douglas
In closing, I must say that I did get something from the Marin music teacher:
“The Last Laugh.”
-- Ian Wright [Angelic Child]
 Playing it forward

Dearest Ernie,
It has been a long while since I last spoke to you. I'm doing fine
with what life gives and still play music to this very day. Though my
active "gigging" has slowed down, I practice as though I have a gig
somewhere soon. You were and still are, the serious part of my life
and musical education. So much so, that I have taught privately pro
bono and for not much pay, just to make a difference in a child or
young person’s life......like you did for me. Your belief in me as a
person and as an aspiring musician has opened some amazing
opportunities for me. I have played with some talented people who
all had that someone like you that, laid the foundation of their
musical lives.
I guess that's why I kept coming back for the summer music
program to help mentor/tutor with you. From those cold wet
marching band mornings at Cougar Field, to the "e'couter" shout
you gave to get our attention, "Do your ears hang low, do they
wobble to and fro. ......" song bite when you pointed out problems
with "pitch" or "rhythm", or the glare and silence you gave with the
baton tucked under your arm when we acted like talking was more
important than your time.......moments that remind me of the value
of time and the people you share that time with. Thank you for your
generous time, patience, guidance, knowledge and friendship.....O
Captain, my Captain. ....

-- Pete Rios, musician and music teacher

Albany High School Band
Marching down Solano Avenue, early 1970s
 Preparing the next generation
of music teachers

Tonight I found out that my favorite teacher, my high school

music director Ernest Douglas, passed away last night. He was
94.
Mr. Douglas had a profound and lasting effect on my life. He
encouraged me in my pursuit of music. When I was a high school
senior, he corrected my music theory exercises and let me have a
service period as his assistant for the 8th grade band. I also
assisted him with his summer school band.
I was able to skip a year of college music theory because of his
help. I got to try out being a band director and decide it wasn't for
me.
Later, Mr. Douglas came to both my bachelor and master's
recitals. He didn't stay for the receptions, but waited back stage to
talk to me privately both times.
I know I would not be the musician and private teacher I am
today without having Mr. Douglas as my teacher. RIP Mr Douglas,
you are making music with the angels now.

~ Patricia Meissner-Kast, musician and music teacher

 Starting the viola as an adult
I started playing in the Albany community orchestra in 1996, I believe. I played in the
violins for a couple years. Then one day, I mentioned to Ernie that I had always kinda
wanted to play viola. His reaction was, "Oh! Come over here." He walked away before
I could say anything else. To a cabinet at the side of a band room from which he
produced a viola. I was a bit embarrassed, and didn't feel "worth it", but he assured
me I was not taking the instrument away from anyone else. The next week, I sat in the
viola section, and I never looked back. Bought my own after a couple years and
returned the loaner. There was one semester later on when I was the only viola player
in the orchestra!
I think this is a great example of how effective and empowering Ernie was. He didn't
ask me a bunch of questions about why I wanted to do it. He didn't think I had to be
extremely accomplished or even "ready" in order to switch. He didn't mind that it took
me a while to get used to reading alto clef. He just let me the best and happiest player
I could be, with loads of gentle encouragement backing it up.
On a related note... he was always so appreciative of the viola section! To this day, I
don't really know why. We had some scarce times, but then we had some not so
scarce times, and he still didn't tend to put us on the spot. I know he worked hard to
pick out music that wasn't boring for us. I know he did this for all the sections, strings
and winds alike. He wanted all members of the orchestra to get a chance to shine, not
just play back-up "boom chick chick."
If you could somehow mix together Zen patience, communist egalitarianism, perfect
pitch, and the Nike "Just Do It" motto, you'd have a taste of Maestro Ernie!
I visited Ernie a couple times with my young kids, after he was retired from
conducting the ACO. Sylvia when she was about a 6 month old baby. I definitely
wasn't expecting anything, but he had bought a gift for her. I think the packaging did
include the word "orchestra", but it was a collection of four rattles and cymbals and
noisemakers. She loved it, actually. It was a favorite for several years. Even my
husband (who did not know Ernie) commented several times that Ernie must have
really known what he was doing after having a large family himself.

~ Jos Burns (Albany Community Orchestra, apx 1996-2006)

1969 Yearbook photo

Marcus Pun shared this classic

yearbook photo. Marcus
thought maybe it was taken
right after band practice, but to
me it looks more like the
middle of a faculty meeting!
The little girl who came to Adult
Orchestra practice
I think of Ernie often and will always be grateful for Ernie and
the wonderful music I and my family were exposed to during the
time I played in Albany Adult School Orchestra, more than 20
years.
There are two very special little stories I would like to share:
The first, is that Ernie was probably my summer school music
teacher in San Lorenzo for one summer session in the late '50's!
We spoke about this once and I discovered that he was a very
good friend of my wonderful junior high school music teacher,
Daniel Walter. Both were UC alumni and both loved to compose.
And I always loved their compositions and was happy to play them.
The second many orchestra members knew. When I returned to
orchestra rehearsals after a hiatus, I returned with Leslie who was
five or six. She came to rehearsals for many years and was always
warmly welcomed by Ernie. She sat on the step near my stand and
drew pictures which both your mother and father kindly fussed
over! I know that what Leslie heard and learned have been a very
important part of her music education. Ernie gave her a copy of his
music writing program which she used many times. One time, was
to compose a piece which Ernie eventually had us play for Leslie!
She was in touch with him all the years since. She is currently in
Spain as an English teacher in a small town. She sings in the town
choir and accompanies the group. She also studies voice and sings
in the choir in the local music conservatory.
With fond memories and best wishes to the family,

-- Diane Schoenfeld
 The band room
was a sanctuary

Mr. Douglas: I really don't think

you know how you made high
school tolerable and made the
band room a sanctuary. Thank you
for your invaluable teaching and
life lessons. You gave me
confidence during a time when I
didn't have any.

~ Ingrid Schwab
Albany High School
Jazz Band
1981
 Albany Chamber Orchestra

Lots of people take up a hobby when they retire. For my dad,

Ernest Douglas, that meant leading an orchestra. Back when I
was a teen, we’d drive to rehearsals for Young People’s
Symphony Orchestra, where I played violin and Dad was
assistant conductor. He would sometimes say jokingly, “Why
is there only a YOUNG people’s symphony, but not an OLD
people’s symphony?” It turned out not to be a joke after all,
though, because Dad went on to form the Albany Adult
Orchestra, which he led until passing the baton to Teresa
Colyer in 2004. He continued to write original scores for the
orchestra and chamber groups that came from it -- definitely
what you could call “active retirement”! The orchestra,
renamed the Albany Chamber Orchestra, is still going strong
today.

~ Cathy Douglas
 Following your dreams

Mr. D, what a joy you brought to my life in

high school and thereafter. Although I was
somewhat stubborn about wanting to be in
Choir, Drama, AND Band, you never
stopped trying to encourage me to follow
my dreams, even though you knew I could
be a much better clarinetist if I stuck solely
with Band. You have always held a special
place in my heart for how wonderfully you
treated each one of your students, and for
calling me Little Mary Sunshine!

~ Kim (Fletcher) Denton.

 Albany High School
Jazz Band
1973
This photo was taken at Cazadero Music Camp
 Lots of hours and
lots of fun

In hindsight, I am awed at how many extra hours

Mr. Douglas put into the music program. Football and
basketball games, evening concerts, competitions,
early morning band practices, Cazadero…and that
was on top of his regular teaching hours! We were
lucky to have all of those experiences with him. Talk
about enrichment!
A few more fun memories: In about 1972 we played
a piece called “The Typewriter” at our spring band
concert. As the finale, Mr. Douglas had the flaggies (I
was one at the time) burst through a butcher paper
painting of a typewriter keyboard. He loved a dramatic
flourish! And at our graduation in 1973, he managed to
find a piece with three solo flute parts called “Flute
Cocktail,” so that all of us graduating flutists could
share the limelight. What a hoot and so thoughtful!
I know that I and many others will cherish our
memories of Mr. Douglas as long as we live.

~ Claudia Farbman
 Band geek!

I was admittedly a "band geek" and he was

our "Coach". The marching band practices,
the jazz band competitions, band camp and
bus rides to the football games - those
memories all include Mr Douglas leading us
with his baton.

My appreciation and love for music stem from

him over 30 years later. Hearing certain
songs we played place me back in those
wooden folding chairs, in that music room,
reading the sheet music placed on our black
metal music stands...and it makes me smile.

Thank you, Mr Douglas

Larry Harada
AHS Band in the seventies
with Claudia Farbman, Fritz
Loura & Chrysti Lawrence at the front
 This is how to make learning fun
Dear Mr. Douglas,

I don't think you could have ever known the positive impact you had on your
students. You had a way about you - making even those of us who didn't fit in, fit in.
All cliques disappeared in the band room. We were always welcome and
encouraged.
I remember marching band practices at Cougar field - in the early 70s, when we
were doing split sessions, wasn't it a 7 am practice?!! One time it started raining
while we were practicing for the upcoming football game. Not just a drizzle, but full
on rain. While we were hiding out in the maintenance shed, waiting for the rain to
let up, you got us to sing, "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head." You could make
anything fun. Bus rides to Stinson Beach for our end of the year picnic - a freezing
cold beach in May/June!! But it was great fun! Trips to competition where I actually
learned that I could sight read music well. You made me feel like you counted on
me to watch you to keep the orchestra together. It amazed me how well our small
school did at those competitions.
Remember the Christmas program when we played "Sleigh Ride" and you had us
spin our basses? I still smile when I hear that song, thinking of the creative things
you did with us. Playing the "1812 Overture" - how bold was that to have a high
school band play such a difficult piece!?! And to have gunshot for the cannon
sound ... it was SO cool to be part of that. We played the "Unfinished Symphony"
which in my opinion had the best classical bass part EVER (at least the best I've
played!)!! At one spring band show, we played a piece that I think was called
"Typewriter." You had the flaggies do a routine that went with the music, it was
such a creative way to keep the audience entertained and bring in more students to
the program.
We even had a Dixieland band!! We played some Friday nights at Shakey’s pizza
on Solano and Ramona Avenues. How did you pull that off?!!
As an adult, while I was still living in the Albany area, I was fortunate to continue
playing under you as part of the Albany Community Orchestra. When I moved out
of the area, I truly missed that opportunity to play my bass and see you every
week.
My friends all know you, even 40+ years later, because I'll hear a piece of music
and say, "I've played that!" and then go on and on about what a wonderful impact
you had on me and the love I have for music.
Thank you for making such a big difference in so many lives. The world is a
better place because you were generous enough (crazy!?) to work with teenagers!!

~ Chrysti (van Eckhardt) Lawrence, Class of 1974

 Finding that swing

When I was a junior, I had spent the summer before taking lessons on
the clarinet and subsequently to everyone’s surprise, myself most of all, I
went from last of the thirds to first chair. I never expected that kind of
improvement, I was hoping really to be good enough to be a second
maybe. Not to mention I was filling the newly vacant spot of the superb
John Yi. No one could do that. But there I was giving it the old college try.
Next to me was Willy Clark, long-time saxophonist and jazz bandist,
and all around much better suited for the job which he never hesitated to
remind me by telling me weekly he was going to challenge me for the
spot. I thought he should get on with it so I could go back to just playing
and not worrying about it anymore. But slowly I got to thinking “hey
maybe I’m not so bad after all.”
Then we were going to do a Dixieland combo for some concert or
another and Willy got the clarinet part. I was devastated of course
because A) it proved to all (in my mind anyway) that Willy was indeed
better, and I really loved Dixieland music and wanted to do it. “You’re fine
technically,” Mr. Douglas explained patiently. “You just don’t have that
swing... the life… the jazz band background.”
What he meant was my playing had all the soul of a brick. He was dead
right of course. At the time I could play the notes in the correct order and
time, but I was so scared of making a mistake I couldn’t let go and jazz it
up and enjoy it.
This is the lesson that he taught me that really stuck and that I hope I’ve
passed along to my daughters… Don’t be so afraid to make mistakes you
forget to have fun.
By the end of my senior year I found out that Willy Clark, who never did
challenge me through two whole years, was really a nice fellow after all,
and one of my greatest regrets of high school was that it took me that
long to figure that out.

~ Beverly Hail
 Mrs. Douglas
(Gerry)

Gerry Douglas used to attend concerts and events at Albany

High, and helped with behind-the-scenes jobs like creating and
printing programs and posters. Beyond that, I doubt many Albany
students knew her well, so here's a little about Mrs. Douglas:
Mom was the daughter of Portuguese immigrants, and grew up
on their farm near Fremont, California. She studied drafting and
various arts at Mills College and at UC Berkeley, which is where
she met Dad. During World War II she worked as a draftsman at
the Kaiser Shipyard. After marriage, she became a full-time wife
and mother.
She was one of those people who is good at everything they try
their hand at, which in her case included many arts and crafts --
painting and drawing, fabric arts, silkscreening, photography, and
more. She was also an excellent woodworker and an amazing
cook!
One thing that you might not expect from someone so artistic
was that she had a very mathematical, logic-based way of looking
at things. If one of us kids said something like "I'll eat the big half
now and save the small half for later," we could expect a
reminder that halves are by definition same size! She also had
a quirky sense of humor; she'd tease us by calling us silly
names ("Not you, dogbiscuit!") and make hilarious things like a
family of clothespin hippies to go on the Christmas tree.
Music wasn't really her thing -- she was more of a visual
person. But I'll always remember how she hummed as she
worked around the house. This always gave me a sense of
peace. Mom passed away in 2004, and Dad was never quite
the same afterwards.

~ Cathy Douglas
 Ernest Douglas,
teacher and father

My father was a music educator of the highest

caliber. He brought the kind of humor and humanity to
his profession that touches lives for a lifetime. You can
read lots of remembrances of my father, the teacher,
from decades of band and orchestra students at
Albany High (photo), and from his tenure as the
conductor of the Albany Adult School Orchestra. Dad
also composed music for orchestra and for chamber
ensemble, and left behind a substantial body of work.
While my father surely influenced me in music and
in teaching, I'll remember him most as my Dad - the
one who always had good advice for me and tried to
keep me from making mistakes in life. I miss him now,
and I always will.

-- John Patrick Douglas, musician and music teacher

 On the road to
band camp

I took this photo on a band trip to Santa Cruz and am happy to

see it making the rounds. Mr. Douglas was always "cool" with the
kids, witty, warm, fun and supportive. I've heard stories about my
husband's drill-sergeant-like band director, which has made me
all the more grateful for the absolutely wonderful band
experience we had with such a great and giving teacher.

~ Kanna Aoki
East Bay Times article:
Albany music teacher, orchestra
founder Ernest Douglas dies at 94
Longtime Albany
High School music
teacher Ernest
Douglas died at his
home in Walnut
Creek on March 4
at age 94.

by Damin Esper

This article appeared in

the East Bay Times on
March , 2017.
Reprinted with
permission.

WALNUT CREEK – Longtime Albany High School music teacher Ernest

Douglas died in his sleep at his home in Walnut Creek the night of March 4
apparently of natural causes. He was 94.

Douglas taught at Albany High from 1952-1987.

“The reason he taught there so many years was it was a perfect match,” said
his daughter, Cathy Douglas. “It was a small school. He not only wanted to
teach musicians but he wanted to get to know the people.”

She added that she was taken aback by the number of former Albany High
students who didn’t take music classes who posted remembrances on
Facebook.
“He always had a twinkle in his eyes,” said City of Albany Treasurer Kim Denton,
a former student of Douglas. “I was in the band room one day when the jazz band
was practicing. He said, ‘You get your friends together and learn the words to In
The Mood.’”
The three girls did just that, found replica uniforms like the Andrews Sisters used
to wear, and performed the song with the jazz band at a concert at Memorial
Park.

Denton also mentioned that Douglas had a phrase he would use when he got
exasperated at his students. A former student posted it online: “You iron-clad,
copper-headed, forked-tongue, infinitesimal specimen!”

Added Denton, “There were other times when everybody started talking and he’d
take the tip of his baton and balance it on his nose.”

Ernest Bernard Douglas was born Jan. 1, 1924, in Jerome, Arizona. His father
was a writer and editor for the Arizona Farmer Ranchman as well as a radio
personality. Ernest Douglas grew up in Phoenix and graduated from St. Mary’s
High School there. Along the way, he developed a love of music, first playing the
clarinet and eventually learning how to play the oboe and saxophone.

He attended Arizona State College (now Arizona State University) for two years
before serving three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Douglas served
in the South Pacific.

“He said he went in to try out for the Navy orchestra or band,” son Steve Douglas
said. “They said, ‘Hey, you’ve got a great sense of rhythm. We’re going to make
you a telegraph operator.’”
Ernest Douglas also headed up the ship’s library.

After leaving the Navy, Douglas moved to Berkeley, where he completed his
degree and then earned his teaching credential. He also met Geraldine
Bettencourt. She grew up in Irvington and they married in 1947.

After graduation, Douglas became the music director at Tahoe-Truckee High

School. He then moved to Albany High in 1952. He also taught Glee Club at St.
Mary’s College and was the associate conductor for the Berkeley Young People’s
Symphony Orchestra for two years. The Alameda and West Contra Costa County
chapter of the School Administrators Association named him “Teacher of the
Year” in 1985.
 Acknowledgements
A huge thanks to everyone who shared memories, photos
and love for this project.

Also a ton of thanks also to the people who

helped put togethr the Ernest Douglas
Celebration that took ploce on June 18, 2017:

Kim Denton Patty Griffin

Teresa Colyer Marcus Pun
Elizabeth Lamson Kathy Radcliffe
Claudia Farbman Emily DeWolf
Kanna Aoki

Viola Quintet: String Quartet + one:

Helena Katz Suzi Sargent,
Midge Fox Suzanne Zeman, violins
Jos Burns Liz Lamson, viola
Charles Waterman Rusty Saxton, cello
Liz Lamson David Osborn, clarinet

Thanks for Damin Esper and the East Bay Times for
the lovely article, and for allowing us to reprint it here.

And an ENORMOUS thanks to the anonymous

person who put up money for rental of the Albany
Community Center. Mr. Douglas' family, friends, and
colleagues will forever be grateful for your generosity.