Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 27, 1991 TAG: 9102270232
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST/ CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
"I didn't want to go to that, to be honest with you, but I had to because I was a father," he told Radford schools band Director Rick Elliott at Monday's School Board meeting. "That whole concert went off without a single squeak. There was no squeaking. And I thought that was amazing."
Ducker's comments were among several songs of praise board members heaped upon the school system's bands after Elliott's report on band programs in this 50th anniversary year of Radford school bands.
"I think there's some enthusiasm there that's been missing," said board Chairman John McPhail.
"I wish you all had been there for the jazz band concert a week ago," Ducker said. "I was very impressed with that group. They've come a long way."
Elliott said the band program has grown from 94 students in 1987-88 to 140 this year; there's a shortage of music stands.
Musicians range from grade six through high school. The Radford High band accounts for 53 students. The high school also has two jazz ensembles.
"The enthusiasm is so incredible," Elliott said. "Jazz has become so strong with the students that we can put on a whole concert with nothing but jazz music."
He predicted the high school band membership could grow to 75 over the next two years.
Elliott said the marching band bought a full percussion set last year. More recently, the band acquired a concert bass drum. "As far as I can tell, we've never had a concert bass drum," he said.
Elliott said band members have acquitted themselves respectably in performance competitions over the past year. "This is the first time in about three years the high school symphonic band is going to festival," he said. Dalton Intermediate School will compete for the first time this year among junior highs.
He said the marching band competed last year at Patrick and Pulaski County high schools, placing in several categories, including a trophy for best in class at Pulaski. Elliott said seven elementary and middle school students made junior-high district band, and seven high-schoolers made the senior band.
"It's highly competitive," he said.
The only sour notes at the board meeting came during a discussion of band uniforms. Following some problems, high school band members finally got new uniforms - but the girls refuse to wear the concert version that resembles traditional man's tuxedo.
New uniforms were designed to serve double duty for marching and concerts. Elliott said, however, the girls had second thoughts and voted unanimously not to wear the concert version because they didn't want to be dressed like the boys.
"If they felt good about what they were wearing, they would, psychologically, perform better," he said.
Instead of the tux for concerts, the girls were allowed to wear a black skirt and a white blouse "just trying to keep with the traditional concert look," Elliott said.
"I can appreciate your dilemma," Ducker said, "but I was also disappointed because I thought that was one of the selling points of this uniform was that it was convertible." Ducker had attended a concert where the girls wore the optional dress. "I certainly noticed it," he said.
Elliott said marching uniforms remain identical for both sexes.
by CNB