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.
At Florida State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music education and was a member of the FSU Marching Chiefs, he fell in love and married Vickie Camechis in 1951. An Italian American and a girl with Greek heritage who both loved music – can you imagine the food and music at that celebration?
George served in the United States Air Force at Tyndall AFB, where he directed as a drum major and woodwind musician for the band and led a combo, The Quintones.
His distinguished career in music education began in 1954 as the band and choral director at Auburn High School. He also became the first assistant band director at Auburn University. In 1957, George moved to Columbus, Georgia, where he made a lasting impact on music education and the performing arts. He served as band director of Columbus High School and Jordan High School before becoming the first band and orchestra director at Hardaway High School.
The students who loved him
Judson Patten was a student at Columbus High School in the 1950s when George was the band director.
“He really helped me appreciate music. We were lucky to have him for the symphonic and marching bands because he cared so much,” said Judson.
Judson’s mom and dad were very active band parents who became good friends with George. “They were chaperones when our band marched in the Orange Bowl Parade.”
Later, Judson served as the President and Executive Director of the Miss Georgia Pageant. “George wrote music for the pageant orchestra and for some contestants’ talent competition.”
Carson Hand would follow in his Papa’s footsteps by emceeing and performing at the pageant.
At Hardaway High School, he and Bob Eakle wrote the music and lyrics for the Hardaway High Fight Song and Alma Mater. In 1969, George was selected as Teacher of the Year for Hardaway.
One of his students that year was Bobby Walton. Like many of his students, George and Bobby remained lifetime friends.
“George would call and say he was bored, ‘Let’s go to lunch.’ I would take him and we would spend two hours talking about music and the great days at Hardaway and what a profound impact he had on me and many of my friends,” said Bobby. “He always told me how his father said to ‘Surround yourself with good people and they’ll make you look good.’”
Bobby also took him to many Auburn Knights rehearsals. “He loved the Auburn Knights where he had played saxophone.”
George later transitioned from the classroom to administration, becoming the first Director of Music Education for the Muscogee County School District in 1970. In this role, he hired, mentored, and supervised music educators throughout the district, helping shape generations of students and teachers.
Jan Hyatt, a beloved local singer and music educator, was influenced by George at just the right time.
“When I started teaching fourth grade at Gentian Road Elementary, I was struggling. I called George, and he came to my class. He told the kids how fortunate they were and if they kept going it would lead to success. He taught me how to teach that day,” said Jan.
Jan and George collaborated many times over the years, including performances at Covenant Woods where George resided.
His passion for music education helped lay the groundwork for some of our city’s greatest cultural treasures, including the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra and the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.
The entertainer and his accolades
George’s musical accomplishments were extraordinary. He performed with the Columbus Symphony and was the director and charter member of the Bob Barr Community Band. Over the years, he played in many combos, including the Knights of Rhythm, Gertrude Handley Trio, Mike Skipper Band, The Notables, and the Cavaliers Big Band.
George was a life member of both the Georgia Music Educators Association and the Music Educators National Conference. He was inducted into the National High School Band Directors Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also awarded the Outstanding Jazz Musician by the Columbus Jazz Society in 2023.
What a Wonderful World
“I hear babies cryI watch them growThey’ll learn much moreThan I’ll ever knowAnd I think to myselfWhat a wonderful world”
What a Wonderful World was one of Dr. George Corradino’s favorite songs. The world was more wonderful when he was in it.
His children, Denise Corradino Lentz, Marie Corradino Hand, Michael Corradino, and Christy Corradino Miller; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and his former students and fellow music collaborators will miss him dearly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at St. Anne Catholic Church with Father Kevin Braski officiating. A private burial will be held in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, September 11, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory; 3874 Gentian Blvd. in Columbus.
If his passion for music could have kept him alive, he would have lived another 96 years, and we would all be richer for it. His instrument of choice was a saxophone, which can easily shift from a soft whisper to a bold, joyful cry. The next time you hear a sax riff, think of George Corradino; he’ll be playing and leading the band from heaven.
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