149989
Bill Joslin Oral History, Part 1/2
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Part OfBill Joslin Oral HistoryIntervieweeBill JoslinInterviewerJoyce McBrideBrowse TopicCommunity GroupsEducationLaborSubjectGlobe High SchoolGlobe, ArizonaASUU.S. Forest ServiceDescriptionBill Joslin was just a 9 year-old kid when his family came to Arizona on a train in 1955. Earlier that school year, William Joslin Sr. had gone ahead, having taken a position at Globe High School teaching biology. Bill recalls his first impressions of the Valley and coming up through the mountains in the back of a pickup to his new “vertical home.” He first attended 4th grade at Noftsgar Elementary, and when they moved to Skyline Drive, he attended 5th and 6th grades at East Globe Elementary. That’s where GHS bandmaster, Mr. Milton Nunamaker’s recruitment of music students started him playing clarinet in 5th grade. When Bill reached Hill Street Junior High, he continued playing the horn, even playing in the high school band. Still, his father, who was also a coach and avid sports fan, wanted him to play football. Bill was a size small, so a sight in the oversized uniform, but he gave it his best effort. His school schedule was intense. Up early in the mornings for marching band practice before school, on the honor roll in classes, and then football practice. He’d come home afterward to practice an hour on his clarinet, sometimes picking flesh from his braces, then he was on to his homework before crashing in bed. While he enjoyed and played varsity football, music was always his first love, so rather than choose between them, during half time while the team rested, Bill would grab his clarinet and march in the band in his football uniform. This came to an abrupt end when in his junior year he broke his arm during a football game. No more football the rest of the season, but also, the end of playing the clarinet, so Mr. Nunamaker saved the day when he switched him to playing base drum instead. Bill fondly remembers traveling to band festivals and concert band competitions. He played All-State at NAU, and was selected for the First Clarinet spot. He recalls after being challenged to play a tricky piece, the leader met with Mr. Nunamaker and offered him a full scholarship to New Mexico State University. He regrets to this day that he didn’t accept. Audio Length00:18:52Date Original2016-03-07Date Range1950s (1950-1959)1960s (1960-1969)TypeSound- NonmusicalOriginal FormatOral historiesLanguageEnglishContributing InstitutionGila County Historical MuseumCollectionOral Histories of Globe High SchoolRights StatementThe opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and interviewer only. They do not represent the views of the Gila County Historical Society of Globe High School. Please contact the Gila County Historical Society Museum, located at 1330 North Broad Street, Globe, AZ 85501; call 928-425-7385 or email [email protected] with questions concerning content or the use and reproduction of this resource.
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Oral HistoryBill Joslin
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Bill Joslin Oral History, Part 1/2, [Joslin, Bill, Part 1.mp3]. Arizona Memory Project, accessed 03/12/2023, https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/149989
