To my dear band family,

This will be my final letter to you as your band director. Wow…the gravity of those words. But it’s all good! I’m ready for the change, and it will be very good for this wonderful program. Tradition is a double-edged sword, one with a “good” and “bad” side. The good side of tradition is that it sets a standard of excellence and strengthens loyalty. The bad side is that it can cause an organization to get “stuck in a rut” and becoming close-minded to new and improved ideas. I know that this band will continue to thrive and improve under the very capable direction of Mr. Meade. We are all very fortunate!

I have had the honor and privilege of guiding this program from “shambles” (Summer, 1994) to consistent “excellence.” When I arrived, the program was without a band director for 5 months as the previous director literally left the program in February. (He only served for 7 months and left for personal issues.) The director before him, Terry Blaylock, did a wonderful job for 12 years and put this program “on the map,” particularly as an outstanding competing marching band.

Some highlights:

• 1996 – First time the marching band won 1st place in class. I still remember that moment. The “jumping” out of the stands, the gathering in the middle of the field—with the trophy being held up in the middle—the tears.
• 1997-  First time the marching band won a complete 1st place “sweep”—winning 1st place in all categories. Also, this band won 1st place in class in 4/5 shows!
• 1998-  First time the Wind Ensemble earned a “Superior” rating (and straight I’s) in the N.C. State Concert Band Festival.
• 2000 First time the Marching Band won Grand Champion with the show entitled “Music that goes Bump in the Night.” The parents built a façade of a haunted house in the back of the field and the pit was in a graveyard.
• 2006 First of 4 times that the Wind Ensemble performed at the N.C. State Music Educators annual convention in Winston-Salem.
• 2010 Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of John Antonelli, performs in Indianapolis in the Bands of America National Percussion Ensemble Festival.
• 2011 Wind Ensemble performs in Indianapolis in the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival.
• 2014 Wind Ensemble performs in Carnegie Hall, NYC.
• 2015 Program begins budgeting for visiting instructors to teach concert ensembles throughout the school year.
• 2017 Marching Band reaches 165 members and performs “Wizards & Warlocks” Show—winning 3 Grand Championships!
• 2021 Marching Band fields a show in the Spring and the Fall—the ONLY Wake County band to do both–as we emerge out of COVID. The show was entitled “Once Upon a Time…”
• 2022 Marching Band wins 2 Grand Championships with the show “Hooked on Classics.” The picture of “Bach” became our secondary mascot. Doc even dressed as Bach in our last show.
• 2024 Mr. Meade becomes our Assistant Band Director and Director Elect.
  *And the most impressive “stats:”

Once the Marching Band won 1st place in class in 1996, we have ALWAYS won a 1st place in each successive season to date.

Once the Marching Band won Grand Champion in 2000, we have rarely had a season where we did not win at least 1. I guarantee you that the small number of seasons when we did not win one, the show was definitely of GC caliber.

Once the Wind Ensemble earned a “Superior” rating at State Festival, we have rarely not earned this rating.

Now, all this aside, my very happiest memories have always been those moments when the band and I were working TOGETHER as ONE. This occurred many times in rehearsals, often before major performances, and in sometimes in those little “in-between” fun moments. It is in these little “cracks” of time where LOVE resides. Those will be the moments that I will cherish forever.

I leave to all of you an outstanding comprehensive band program built on musical excellence, superior character, and love. Please know that I will always be there for all of you—but at a respectful distance. Mr. Meade needs time to nurture this program in his own way and he needs space. Please, please show him the same respect that you have shown me. Trust him to guide you to more and more excellence and life-changing moments.

I love you all—my dear band family!

Your “Director Emeritus,”

“Doc”