CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Middle School Band Program received a new tenor saxophone thanks to the generosity of Ray and Benton Buchmann. Wednesday, the Buchmann’s presented the new instrument to Cullman Middle School Band Director Linda Bean.
The shiny gold saxophone isn’t the first instrument the Buchmann’s have donated to the school’s band program. They have been proudly donating instruments since 2014, including clarinets, trumpets, saxophones and flutes. All in all, Cullman Middle School has received 10 instruments from the Buchmann family.
According to the Buchmann family, “Ray’s family has a long musical history. His parents, Millard and Nell, met when Nell was hired as a piano player for Millard’s orchestra. As a teenager, Ray also joined the orchestra, which played events all around Cullman and North Alabama.” Ray, his two sisters and his two children are also Cullman band alumni.
When the family of musicians were no longer using their instruments, Ray and Benton sold them and used the proceeds to purchase the instruments they donated to the band program. The tenor saxophone donated this week is especially meaningful in that it is the instrument Ray, his father and his son all played during their musical careers.
Upon receiving the new instrument, Bean said, “It’s been such a great blessing and it has helped so many students. I have told Ray many times that I wish he could see the look on the face of a child that gets to play because of his generosity. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to afford it.”
Bean added, “The tenor sax is very often a school–owned instrument. A student that owns their own alto saxophone will play something like this in jazz or concert band. A lot of factors go into selecting the deserving student. It’s very important to make sure it’s someone that can take really care of the instrument as well.”
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