Mercedes Tucker Stamps: A Public School Teacher's Contribution to New Orleans Music History Mercedes Tucker Stamps was assigned in 1948 as the first itinerant instrumental music teacher serving schools for African American students in the New Orleans Public Schools. She was an exemplary music educator and band director for more than three decades. Many prominent New Orleans musicians and music teachers started their music training in her classroom. Her life story shows that music teachers are an important part of the history of music in New Orleans. |
