Subject:  Message from Big Daddy |
Author:
Charles Kuentz
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Date Posted: 03:38:03 02/22/03 Sat
Mr. K. Dear Former Ram Band Members:
BAND, ATTENTION!!!
What a joy to open up the web site and read all the letters that have come in. (Thanks to Robin). It’s so gratifying and heartwarming to hear from so many of you.
The time that I spent with you as your director will always be the highlight of my career and some of the most cherished moments of my life.
After reading how well so many of you are doing, I thought it might be neat if I reminisced and shared some of the memories that still and always will remain with me.
Some of you will remember that my first year at Northside was teaching a beginning band class at Leon Valley Elem. Later in the day, I traveled out to Helotes Elem. to teach another beginner class. Right before lunch I came back in to town to Hobby Middle School where I spent the rest of the day being an assistant to Mr. B. B. McKinney. During this year, I met many of you as 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who later came of Marshall.
That summer, Mr. Lewis asked if I would assist him with Freshman Summer Band at Marshall ( I believe this was held in June). Also duing this summer, Stevenson Middle School was nearing completion. After interviewing for the Band Director’s job, Mr. Bill McCullough, (Prin.) decided to hire me. I was instrumental in ordering new instruments and helping with the design of the band hall.
Some time during the middle of this same summer, NISD decided to create a District Supervisor of Music position.The most capable person to handle this job was Mr. Bob Lewis, of course(He had been doing it unofficially for years). I remember getting a phone call from him informing me of the pending situation at which time he asked me if I would be interested in the Marshall job. Of course I said yes! I worried about the Stevenson job since I had already been accepted for it, but Mr. Lewis assured me that things could be worked out. He said a Mr. Jim Cain was very anxious to move to Northside.
Within a very few days an interview with the Marshall Principal, Mr. John Thurman was set up. Mr. Thurman was with out question one of the most supportive principals I ever worked for. I never will forget a question he asked me during my interview. He asked, “How do you handle discipline?” My answer was “I use an iron fist covered with a velvet glove.” He said “You’re hired.” He went on to say that he wanted a big band, lots of flags, and wanted the band to play “March Grandioso” at every game. I guess he must have been a U.T. man.
This letter is getting rather lengthy and probably boring to some of you, but I must impose one more precious memory on you ,our first half-time show.
The show started with the band lined up in the end-zone (I believe in company fronts). The fanfare I chose was from the classical “Invocation to Albrecht”. You will remember that French horns turned side-ways so their bells faced the stands. The band stepped off playing the march “Bravura”. Marching down field the woodwinds turned, formed a long line down the side line and were featured playing 2nd strain.
While this was going on, I was nervously observing the band from the top row of bleachers at Northside Stadium. (about to throw up would be a more accurate description.)
Mr. Dan Schreiber (now deceased), the director at Jay was standing beside me. (It was customary for other band directors to visit half-time shows to see what was going on). He turned to me and asked “How big was that stick you used to whip those kids into shape?” From then on, I knew this was going to be a trip that would be the most rewarding journey of my life. God bless all of you!
BAND! DISMISSED!!!
Mr. K
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| | Replies: |
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Alan D. Valentine, 19:56:46 02/22/03 Sat
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Rick Valentine, 20:10:18 02/22/03 Sat
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Diego Pena, 18:29:37 02/24/03 Mon
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Kathy Valentine, 03:59:04 02/27/03 Thu
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Donald Michael Coy, 05:00:07 03/14/03 Fri
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Lisa Yeh, 20:23:01 03/22/03 Sat
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Bob Teal, 06:25:38 03/25/03 Tue
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Juli Perry Briggs, 08:54:50 03/25/03 Tue
 Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Cecillia Dohrn Rivas, 20:02:53 03/25/03 Tue
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Susan Taylor Jolly, 17:00:07 04/03/03 Thu
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- desiree alcocer-scott, 16:52:01 04/09/03 Wed
 Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Frank Hipchen, 04:51:13 04/15/03 Tue
- Re: Message from Big Daddy -- Lisa Black, 03:17:45 04/30/03 Wed
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