Profile (cont)

out of the thousands) tickled the fancies of millions.  He
also became a little inventive when during the early 1900s, 
he invented several instruments called Mannaphones.  These
Mannaphones were pitched in a low B-flat and were of enormous
size.  He later sold these creations to a man named John
Philip Sousa where they were then renamed the Sousaphone.
Today, you can find these ancient relics, still of their 
original outstanding quality, in use by a band called Marist.
For the next 60 years, Frank wrote music for some of 
entertainment's most elite.  Irving Berlin, John Williams, 
Frank Sinatra, and Elvis all sang and conducted Manna's more
modern works.  Finally, at the age of 85, Mr. Frank Manna
accomplished his greatest feat.  By founding the Marist High
School Band, in Chicago Illinois, he established the World's 
first renown high school band.  Tours, concerts, and half-
time shows were what gave Frank his real fame.  With out that
band, Marist High School would have been another Brother 
Rice.  Twenty-six years later, at the age of 181, Mr. Frank
J. Manna blew his brains out.  No, not with a gun, but with a 
Sousaphone: ironically, his own creation.  In a feeble
attempt to show-up tuba section leaders Greg Grobarcik and 
Bob Maiers, Frank's skull exploded from the overwhelming
pressure of a high-F.  A truly tragic, and terribly sad death
for such a fine American.

   People that knew Frank say what a wonderful man he was.
Other people, such as musicians, say what a wonderful man
Frank still is.  His contributions to this Earth will remain
forever, along with the tubas that the Marist Band uses.  But 
one thing is for sure, the abscence of his presence would have 
changed this planet for the worse.  With out him, all that 
read this paper would be nothing, absolutely nothing.

                                        - Bob Maiers, Tuba