Mumford pianist inducted to Music Hall of Fame
2009

   A lifetime of musical achievements was recognized when George Banks of Mumford was inducted to the Caledonia-Mumford School Music Hall of Fame. Banks received the honor on May 13, 2009 during the high school vocal and instrumental spring concert.

   Banks began playing the piano at the age of three and became a church organist at four. Pretty impressive but that is just the start of what evolved into a lifetime of musical achievements and accolades for Banks. His started formal training at age five studying at the Hochstein Music School in Rochester and later at the Eastman School of Music. As a student at Caledonia, Banks played tuba and drums in the school band and sang in the chorus. In high school, he played in the jazz band and was selected to participate in all county and all state band and chorus.

   After attending Anderson College in Indiana where he majored in music, Banks lent his music talents to the United States Air Force Band while serving in the military. During that time he also served as director of music at the First Baptist in Alexandra, Louisiana. He went on to become the organist for the Seventh Avenue Baptist Church in New York City before returning to the Rochester area to begin teaching gospel music and jazz for the Rochester City School District, Wheatland-Chili, West Irondequoit and Webster School districts. He served as the director of music at St. Joseph’s Villa, an educational program specializing in helping at risk youth, where he organized a gospel choir. Of all of Banks’ high points in his career, it is this one that he is most proud of.

   In addition to his teaching career, Banks is an accomplished performer who has shared the stage with such great artists as Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Al Johnson and Robert Goulet. With his own group he’s performed in Buffalo and Rochester venues for many years. Presently he is the minister of music at the Second Baptist Church in Mumford.

   "They were all thrills that meant a lot to me," Banks said of his performances with these recording artists.

   Fellow Caledonia High School alumnus, Don Pullyblank, nominated Banks for the hall of fame. He’s had the privilege of playing side by side with him.

   "Whenever you hear George play or if you happen to play with him, he brings out all the positive feelings about music," Pully said.

   With his induction to the CM Music Hall of Fame, Banks said that music has been his whole life.

   "Music has been good to me and I’d like to think that I’ve been good to music," he commented.

   Banks shares the Music Hall of Fame honor with his late brother, Charles Banks, who died just month after having been himself inducted in 2008 to the hall of fame for his music endeavors.

   Cal-Mum High School vocal music teacher Todd Walker conceived the idea in 2003 for the hall of fame to acknowledge the deep musical tradition and rich history in the Caledonia-Mumford School and community. In addition, Walker said the Music Hall of Fame illustrates to the students, music’s lifetime significance and role in their lives.