Browning Family - Ourfolk

Dr. Alan Drake has devoted the last fifty years to the musical profession where he has served as performer, educator, conductor and administrator. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Miami, and his Master's and Ph.D. degrees from Florida State University. He taught instrumental music for thirteen years in Florida, and then held professorships at Purdue University, The University of Southern Mississippi, Ohio Northern University, and Augusta State University where he is Professor of Music Emeritus.

He has been the Musical Director of the Augusta Concert Band since 1992, and was Principal Clarinet of the Augusta Symphony under Harry Jacobs from 1982 until 1989.

Dr. Drake has performed chamber music throughout his career and is an enthusiastic supporter of it. He was a founding member of the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society and has served two terms each as board member, Vice-President, President, and Assistant Artistic Director.

He has directed six European concert tours and has been a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator or soloist in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Columbia, Venezuela, and nineteen of the United States. Very active in professional organizations, he served as the Vice-President and Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the 3000-member National Band Association, as music panelist for the Georgia Council of the Arts, and he has held other similar posts.

My brother and I were students under Alan Drake in the 60 s, shortly before he left to go to Purdue. Pompano Beach Senior High School band was one of the best in the state of Florida under Dr. Drake s leadership. I played flute and my brother played trombone.

Both of my older sisters played under his direction, one playing flute and the other playing clarinet and oboe. He was certainly an inspiration to all of us and even though I was only a student of his for a year, he instilled in me a deep appreciation for music. I still have my flute and still occasionally play for church services. Was just looking his name up to see what he was doing and happened onto your site. So glad he had such a wonderful career. He was definitely the best!

Dr. Drake served as chairman of the music department of Augusta College/ Augusta State University from 1982 - 1996. Dr. Drake received his Bachelor's of Arts degree from the University of Miami in 1951, Master of Music Education from Florida State University in 1957 and Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education also from Florida State University in 1965. He served as Director of Bands in Belle Glade, Florida and Pompano Beach Senior High School from 1951-1964. Drake quickly built one of the top band programs in the state of Florida.

His college career included Assistant Director of Bands at Purdue University, Director of Bands and Chairman of the Music Department at the University of Southern Mississippi, Director of Bands and Chairman of the Music Department at Ohio Northern University and finally Chairman of Fine Arts and Director of Bands at Augusta College/Augusta State University.

In addition to Dr. Drake's conducting successes, he remained a world-class clarinetist, performing with the Ft. Lauderdale Symphony and the Augusta Symphony as well as an active recitalist. He was also deeply involved in the Augusta arts community. In 1992, he resurrected the Augusta Concert Band and served as the conductor until 2002.

From 1992 - 2009 he served in various capacities with the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society: on the Board of Directors, as Vice President, President and Artistic Director. Dr. Drake is survived by his wife of 53 years, Evalyn, his son Bruce and daughter Christina. Four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive him.