The Phoenix index. (Phoenix, Ariz.) 193?-19??, 1939-08-26
Out Of A Job> Organizes
Riddles Band Succeeds
Youngsters
Now Playing
Like Veterans
By RUBY BERKELEY GOODWIN

LOS ANGELES-(ANP)- Alma
Hightower may not have remem-
bered the adno1iition of Booker T..
Washington to 'let down your
bucket where you are" but she
certainly put tie, saying into prac-
tice when she went on her last job
and it has paid. Not so much
in dollars and cents Gas yeti but
it has paid in the admiration and
respect of community, in love
from a group of impressionable
children and in recognition by rec
reation officials throughout Cali
fornia. s,
About 10 months ago., Alms
Hightower needed job very badly.
Forced to go on relief, she asked
that she be placed on the federal
music project. Alma is an old
trouper. She had played the major
vaudeville circuits with such top
notcheyS as Hattie Mcdaniel
Clarence Muse, Ernest Whitman
and others. She had toured the
west coast with the one-time famed
Black and Tan orchestra as
the lady drummer. Armed with this
experience, she insisted that she
be given work with some music
unit. For some unknown reason,
Alma's request Was denied-but she
was placed at Ross Snyder play
ground in the heart of the Negro
district to give out equipment to
the athletic-minded young East
siders who wanted to follow in the
footsteps of Owens Metcalfe and
Joe Louis.
LEARNED TO PLAY
The checking in and out of
equipment in no way satisfied Alma
Hishtowers love for music. Soon
she began to talk to the boys AND
girls about learning to play in
struments. Some were interested
others mildly So. For a number OF
years she had taught some of the
children in her family. With these
, as a nucleus she started little
orchestra. AS the children showed
signs of process, other youngsters
became interested, and soon there
we1e about 20 youngsters who had
grouped themselves under the name
of the Ross Synder Melodic Dots
under her direction and supervision.
They were called upon to furnish
music for playground and neighbour
hood affairs. Soon their work was
brought to the attention of the
heads of the recreation department
They were amazed as they stood
around and heard youngsters rang
ing in age from eight to Is fool
ing around with Duke Ellington's
SOLITUDE" and Mood indigo" The
group added two young singers.
Geraldine Williams and Marian
Derricks, two five year old young
sters who are great. They learned
to sing capella, and before they
knew it the Melodic Dots had q
grand act worked out.
GETS FOUR DATES
Recognition of their work was
shown when the Melodic Dots and
their instructor were asked to fill
four engagements at the San Fran
cisco fair on Sept 2. They are to
make two appearances at the Cali
fornia State building and two al
the rotunda of the Recreation
building. If they click, they will
be held over for a longer engage
ment.
Help is pouring in now from all
sides. Eddie Anderson CHANGED to
be at the playground one day and
heard the Dots. He Immediately
had them appear at Paramount
Theatre with him and they brought
down the house. Last week they
were given an addition at M. g. A.
and the agency is raving over the
possibilities of the organization.
Now public-spirited citizens are
staging mammoth benefit at the
Lincoln theatre on August Is to
raise money to help pay Transports
ton expenses of the Melodic Dots
to San Francisco.
Indicative Uf the cooperative sptr<
it of the Dts is Tressie Garden
hire, their accompanist who, free o.
charge, is working with them every
day in rehearsals. Miss Gardenh1rs
recently entered Los Angeles City
COLLEGE. This is but the reflection
Of the spirit of Alma Hightowe1
who has done volunteer work at
tie Eastside Mothers home, who
started the Melodic Dots when she
was only supposed to be giving Out
athletic equipment The sincerity OF
the instructor has met with a
hearty response from the members
of the orchestra. for they never
tire of rehearsals and Miss High
tower was loud in their praise. Alma
Hightower let down her bucket
where she was. Don't be surprised
if she draws it up filled with gold
,,iIoCntSi