Verna Young Covington

I wanted to play Bari Sax but Mrs Covington asked me to play. I was in 9th grade in 1965. I still play with the Austin Symphonic Band and the Aquarena Springs Wind Ensamble.You were one of my two favorite teacher, the other one was Mrs Kearney achoir director

Mrs. Cov was my band director at Porter in the 70's. I remember she was tough!! She expected 200 percent from us and we gave it to her. Having such a rich musical experience was a blessing to us all. I think one of the coolest things about her was she treated us as young adults, but never forgot we were still on the edge of childhood. She always made sure we played some of the "hip" songs, (I'm sure, much to her chagrin!), and of course, we went to Six Flags every year.

One...

Mrs. Covington was my band director from 1969-71. I actually have the honor of getting cornet/trumpet lessons from her husband, Weldon. Mrs. Cov drove us to excellence, and I have thought of her often. She's probably rehearsing Heaven's Symphonic Band now! I sure hope so.

We are so sorry to here of Vernas passing. We know she will be deeply missed. Our deepest sympathy. Bill and Pat Rochelle

the last time I remember seeing Vera Covington was at an all-city high school band competition at my old alma mater, John H Reagan High School in Austin, Texas. It was May,1967 or 1968.
Reinhold Hunger was our band director and Anderson High School was performing. It was either the last performance or next-to last performance they gave before the Austin Independent School District desegregated and eliminated the All Black schools and distributed their kids all over. The kids were...

Dear All,

I hope all are well!

I am truly blessed to have had Verna Covington as my band director at Porter ('74-'76) and as a friend and mentor every since. Her influence (as well as that of the late Mr. Weldon Covington, her husband) was essential to my development and my eventual successes.

During my 23 year tenure as the Principal Tubaist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra I always cherished the times when I was back in Austin and going to Mexican food...

My very first job after graduating from UT was teaching at two sixth grade schools and assisting Mrs. Cov at Porter Jr. High. I will never forget how she took an interest to every individual student, teaching mini-lessons during lunch before there were private lesson programs. She was able to get the most from her students and they were honored to have her for a teacher. We all learned valuable lessons that year!

"Mrs. Cov" put into my life the music that still gives me so much enjoyment, and taught thousands of young people how to combine personal achievement with teamwork.

She will live on in the hearts of the thousands whose lives she touched.

Alan W. Ford
President, Longhorn Alumni Band, 1985-86

I cannot express how much you shaped my life through music. I cherish so many memories, such as your visits to our home to swim. God bless you.