The Braille School in Vinton not only had a band in 1950s, the band marched in the Lions International Parade in New York on Tuesday, June 30, 1959. Here’s the photo that ran on the back page of the July 1 Gazette:

                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Members of Vinton’s Braille and Sight Saving school band marched down New York’s Fifth avenue Tuesday at the 42nd annual parade of Lions International. Directed by John Best, the band is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. It is composed entirely of students who are either blind or partially blind.”