Robert Earl Knatt

I attended South Shore MS in the late 1970s. Mr. Knatt was my African Ensemble teacher. Although it was only middle school we were good, and it was all due to his knowledge and deep respect for our history & musical culture.

You know, you can´t come out Grambling State University and not be great, and he was definitely one of the GREATS.

As a teacher, he taught us to embrace our African-American culture through song & dance while learning melodies, notes and such.

He taught the boys how to play Congo's and "oh boy" did they play them over & over if they messed up a single beat.

Us girls got to choreograph our African dances but you better believe they had to be on-point because Mr. Knatt was not going for it if it wasn´t perfect.

He was a perfectionist. Our performances were highly anticipated because everyone knew if Mr Knatt was the teacher, the performances were going to be dynamic.

Mr. Knatt - Thank you for sharing your love of music and passion for the arts with kids who would not have otherwise experienced the level of learning and coaching you gave to us.

May you enjoy the melodic notes of heavenly peace.

RIP Mr Knatt. Well done!

I was his student at South Shore Middle School 1981-1985...didn't know he had played French Horn (as I was learning) growing up - which explains why I didn't get away with ANYTHING! Didn't know he was from Louisiana's fine music tradition...also explains a LOT! I wish I had known him better personally - but I am fortunate to have had his impact in my life! My favorite memory is a concert where we played with his friend Ernestine Anderson - that was a special night... I could sense how proud he was and that made us feel like we had accomplished something worthy of being proud of!

thanks for the music mr knatt

There are some teachers that you never forget and Mr. Knatt was one of them. He was my band teacher @ South Shore in '76. I was always intimidated by him as he reminded me of Louis Gossett Jr.in Officer and a Gentleman. I never wanted to be called out in front of the class,so I practiced hard. He expected a lot and in return he made magic happen in the band room.
He will never be forgotten