REVIEWS FOR "THEY DARED TO SOAR!"
"It might be argued love can’t be seen in print. I argue it can. I see it in Sallie Cowart Brock’s They Dared to Soar! Sallie – a scion of the Cowart Athens HS Band legacy – has lovingly created a volume overflowing with both the history of the Athens High School Band and the love of it. She has painstakingly and extensively researched and compiled an immense catalog of information and photographs sure to delight alumni and friends. The book features a wealth of photos and the accompanying text provides a comprehensive history of the Band so loved by generations of Athenians and teaches the rise of school bands. It is a treasure and every AHS band alumni will need a copy."
- Dana Henry
What an amazing history of our famous Athens Band you have put together! You have covered early histories in a way that your readers will get a glimpse of what our early leaders had to accomplish to establish a very successful band. The number of photographs is unbelievable even today. There will be many smiles when readers turn these informative pages and recognize family members, friends, and long-deceased Athenians. The narrative and pictures you have put together will remind fans, again, what pride we Athenians had in the Athens High School Band. It was the pride and joy of Golden Eagle fans and family members like mine. My older sister, Anna Jean Whitt, was among the first members and received one of the very first uniforms. We were so excited for her, and we supported her and the band. She was thrilled with her interviews with you and Macon about this book and gave you pictures and much needed early information. I regret deeply she and Helen Howard Killen did not live to see the finished product.
Our leadership mostly by James Cowart and Dan Havely is given great coverage and will remind all readers how very fortunate we were to always have had a band about which we can boast!
- Marjorie Walker
“They Dared to Soar! Memories of the Music” is a fascinating, informative book that traces the evolution and development of the Athens, Alabama High School Golden Eagle Band from 1938-2000. Author Sallie Cowart Brock’s meticulous five-year research into the band’s remarkable history and accomplishments is an absolute treasure.
Colorful photographs, tributes, stories and humorous anecdotes about the band and its individual members make this gem of a book a priceless, nostalgic read. It’s worth its weight in Golden Eagles.
- Dan Havely
AHS Band Director
1966-2000
Have you ever wondered just how Athens High School Band got its start? Did you know the band was started in 1938? They Dared to Soar! Memories of the Music is a must-have book that shows the band’s history from 1938-2000. Author Sallie (Cowart) Brock has spent nearly five years compiling this amazing history. The book is filled with interesting, factual information plus multiple photographs, concert programs, and news articles. Our band was always an AWARD WINNING BAND! Sallie has captured these many successes. The layout with photographs plus the narrative are completed in such a professional manner.
There will be limited printing, so be sure to place your pre-order. Reliving the history of Athens High School Band, from 1938 through the COWART and HAVELY eras, is one book you must order today!
- Alice Beattie Tiller
Sallie Cowart Brock has written an in-depth, informative, picturesque and well-researched book of the beginning of the Athens High School Band through the year 2000. This book will be a perfect gift for anyone who has been in the band or has a relative who played in the band.
It is fascinating to learn the earliest band members were totally devoted to creating and maintaining a school band. This idea was supported by our town, clubs and organizations as well as parents. Together they helped purchase the more costly, large instruments. I also learned that the old gymnasium facing Forest Street was built in 1939 and is still in use. The concrete stadium (also still in use) was built soon after, for $18,000.
Included are fascinating quotes by band members and astonishing pictures of early bandsmen, majorettes, and directors.
Be sure to pre-order this wonderful historical book, “They Dared to Soar!”
- Christy Patton Higgins
Athens High School Band was always present in my life. As the granddaughter of the Athens City School Superintendent, school activities were a way of life. My mother encouraged me to choose a musical path toward band as she did. This provided many of my favorite school memories. Mrs. Brock’s historical research and presentation brought me the realization that the history of high school bands is relatively short. I am proud that my family and I are a part of that history and the establishment of one of the best bands in the country! I recommend this book to all who are interested in the Athens High School Band as well as high school bands in general. It’s very interesting and a great reference book with fantastic memories!!!
-Lisa Hall Gilbert