by Frederick D. Fairchild

William G. Street was Professor of Percussion at the Eastman School of Music from 1927 to 1967. Street began his professional career at the age of 15, playing in motion-picture theaters, finally taking the Eastman Theater job in 1922. Seven years later Howard Hanson recruited him for the Eastman faculty. Always active as a performer, Street was a charter member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, from which he retired in 1956 after having played under all of its conductors from Albert Coates to Erich Leinsdorf. The final Leinsdorf concert was also his farewell to the orchestra, but he continued to play in the Rochester Civic Orchestra for another two years. He took part in all of Howard Hanson’s Festivals of American Music from their inception through 1958. Over the years, Street had the satisfaction of seeing his pupils go on to major playing positions throughout the world