Dickson Tattersall

Dickson Tattersall, also known by his former students as "Mr. T", has been sharing his passion for making music for 60 years. As the conductor and percussionist for the DuBois Area Community Band, he's still going strong. Tattersall was born August of 1936 in Troy, New York. His family later moved to Greensburg, Pennsylvania where he graduated from high school before attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). During his high school years, Tattersall says his band director, Mr. Glen Davis, inspired in him a love of music. "He was very much interested in students when I was in high school," Tattersall said. "I wanted to be like him." At IUP, Tattersall was fortunate to find a familiar face when he met Mr. Davis' brother who was in the music department on campus. In those college years, Tattersall started his first band, a dance band playing jazzy tunes late into the night. "Whenever I was in the summers going to college, we played with the band that I started," Tattersall recalled. "I'd go to work at 7 am in the brickyard to raise money for college and then get home around 7 at night and start playing at the hotel in Greensburg from 9 until 2 am." At IUP, Tattersall's roommate was Dick Reed, who later would become his colleague, friend and collaborator at the Brookville Area School District (BASD). In fact, it was Reed's production of Oliver! in Reynoldsville that gave Tattersall the opportunity to play Fagan. In 1958, Tattersall began his career at BASD where he would eventually retire after 35 years. It was then that he took on the nickname "Mr. T" since the students had such a hard time pronouncing his last name. Tattersall started out in the vocal department. Later he went on to teach band and was responsible for starting the district's string department. However, Tattersall spent the majority of his career in BASD in the band department. Tattersall looks back on his career fondly. He says he always tried to be like his mentor, Mr. Davis, and focus on the students. "The little kids, you have to start teaching them from the very beginning," Tattersall said. "They know nothing about instruments. What they accomplish in just two or three years in elementary school is fantastic." Aside from teaching classes, Tattersall was also involved in putting on the district's musical productions, first as minstrel shows and then moving on to perform popular Broadway musicals. Tattersall also started two student barbershop quartets which traveled all over the area performing. He composed   many of their arrangements, some of which are published. By day, Tattersall was a highly engaged and knowledgeable music teacher. By night, he continued to be a lively performer. He was the drummer for Johnny Serian's band in Punxsutawney for many years back when, he says, dances were more popular. The popular band was booked 14 out of 16 nights during Christmas time, playing at restaurants and clubs in the area. "At that time the Punxsy Polka Club was strong," Tattersall explained. "Johnny was in charge of that so we did a lot of playing for them. We also played for wedding; anything they wanted a dance band for." Tattersall also played with other bands and had several memorable performances with musicians such as the country western singer String Bean and jazz musician Johnny Costa from the hit show Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. After his retirement from BASD, Tattersall continued to find new opportunities to teach and perform music in the area. He was a substitute teacher for the Punxsutawney School District and his work there earned him a place in the district's National Association for Music Education. He also taught for two years at the Punxsutawney Christian school and directed the church choir at Immaculate Conception. Tattersall also directed the NBC Barber Shop Chorus for 60 years. Overall, Tattersall says he is grateful for the inspirations and friendships he has encountered after 60 years of playing music. "It was a way to make a living first," he admitted. "But it was a pleasant way because the friendships of all the people that I learned to know who were involved, the musicians and the public. Music is happy stuff." Tattersall is a member of the Knights of Columbus the 3rd and 4th degree. Tattersall is survived by his wife: Frances Tattersall; one son: Michael C. Tattersall; one daughter: Michele M. Imes; one sister: Judith A Hatchett; two granddaughters: Alicia Travis and her fiancé Nate Pyles and Emily (Lorne) Hyskell; and one great-grandson: Theodore Hyskell. In addition to his parents, Tattersall is preceded in passing by one daughter: Charlene A. Tattersall. Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 10am to 11am, at the Immaculate Conception Church, 129 Graham Ave, Brookville, PA 15825. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held immediately following the visitation, beginning at 11am and officiated by Father William Laska. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the McKinney – d’Argy Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Brookville, PA 15825. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Rose Twp., Jefferson Co., PA. Memorial contributions may be made to the DuBois Area Community Band, 413 Randall Court, DuBois, PA 15801. Online condolences and other information may be found by visiting www.dargyfh.com