If you’ve never seen the award-winning 1962 musical and movie, The Music Man, the famous line is, “I always think there’s a band, kid.” Robert Preston was the band “professor” in the movie. It could just as easily have been George Corradino.
If you love music, you probably knew Dr. George Corradino. His expertise inspired generations of students and musicians across the Chattahoochee Valley. He was a music educator, band director, and entertainer who played right up until the end of his life.
After suffering a massive stroke, he was taken to Columbus Hospice. Even though there was no movement, his doctors said George could still hear. His son, Michael, was playing music from his favorite band, the Florida State University Marching Chiefs. Ironically, just after his passing, storms in the Tallahassee area blew a transformer, and the stadium went dark for the FSU football game. Those who knew and loved George felt that it was God’s way of giving him a moment of silence at his alma mater. George died Monday, September 7, at 96 years young.
Music was a lifelong passion
George began music lessons at the age of eleven. In high school, he performed in the band and orchestra. He also led a big band in the eleventh grade, which speaks volumes for his talent at an early age…