Edward Crenshaw

Edward E. Crenshaw Sr (born c. 1947) was the band director at Ramsay High School from 1974 to 2009.

Crenshaw was one of ten children born to Reverend Charles Crenshaw and his wife. He grew up in Collegeville and attended Carver High School. He played trombone and tuba in the band, and was mentored by Arthur Means. Crenshaw earned a music scholarship to Alabama State University and became the drum major for the marching band as well as president of the college choir.

Crenshaw joined Birmingham City Schools in 1970, splitting time between Hudson School and Calloway School in Collegeville. He was drafted into military service during the Vietnam War and performed with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division band and chorus.

After his discharge, Crenshaw and his wife Dradine returned to Birmingham and he was assigned to Ramsay High School. He earned a reputation as a stern and demanding teacher, but also as a caring father figure. He retired in 2009 but returned twice more to fill in as interim band director.

In 2018 the band room at Ramsay was dedicated as the "Edward E. Crenshaw Room of Musical Excellence" in his honor.

References

• Stewart, Denise (May 10, 2018) "Ramsay High names music room after longtime band director, Edward Crenshaw Sr" The Birmingham Times