WHEREAS, Dr. George E. Allen grew up in west and southwest Philadelphia and was a proud graduate of the Philadelphia public school system; and
WHEREAS, Music was a deeply influential part of Dr. Allen’s life. He started taking piano lessons from a local music teacher, and he took clarinet lessons while at Brooks Elementary School. While in school, Dr. Allen was first chair in the district and all-state band as well as the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. Dr. Allen attended Shoemaker Junior High School before attending Overbrook High School. When he graduated from Overbrook, he earned a diploma in academic music; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his childhood, Dr. Allen would frequently immerse himself in Philadelphia’s music culture. He would have clarinet practice on Saturday mornings, listen to the metropolitan opera in the afternoons and attend a concert at the Philadelphia orchestra on the weekends; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Overbrook (Class of 1954), Dr. Allen attended West Chester State Teachers College where he enjoyed playing on the University basketball team; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from West Chester, he became a teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. He was the first African American to teach instrumental music in any high school in the School District. He was a faithful teacher for 30 years and during that time he served as the Department Chair of Art and Music at Overbrook High School and was an advisor to the Overbrook Singers; and
WHEREAS, After retiring from Overbrook, he earned his doctoral degree from Temple University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Allen was dedicated to music and the arts. He served on the boards of Settlement Music School, The West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music, and the Institute for Leaning. He was also a dedicated member of the Music Educator National Alliance, the International Association of Jazz Educato9rs and Research in Music Education, the National Association of Negro Musicians, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Allen was also an accomplished author, publishing a book about his experience with five decades of teaching in the School District of Philadelphia. His memoir
I was not asked: An African American Educator from Philadelphia spreads his love for Music
was published in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Dr. George E. Allen recently passed away. His talent, dedication, and love for the musical field as well as for the students in the School District of Philadelphia will be dearly missed by all who knew him and were mentored by him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors the life and legacy of Dr. George E. Allen, the longtime leader of the Arts and Music Program at Overbrook High School.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the family of Dr. George E. Allen as a sign of the respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End