Our Little Town

Last Wednesday evening our town had a program in honor of Veteran's Day. And it was wonderful.

When we moved here 15 years ago the music program in the schools was pretty pathetic. If you asked Nick and Sam they would tell you about how they'd play Star Wars on the band teacher's computer. It was pretty sad.

But things changed. A retired band teacher moved out this way for the golf course and was convinced to come out of retirement to teach at the Jr. High. Then another one came and taught in the Middle School. And between those two men things started changing.

Then a family moved out and the woman taught strings, and she was invited to teach at the Jr. High and that became a full time experience for her. And the music program in the High School started getting REALLY good because the kids were progressing through the grades and really learning. And my boys played in the Jazz band and the Concert band. And pretty soon there was a strings orchestra. And all the bands were placing in State competitions, sometimes in First Place.

And more talented people started moving out here. And the folks who were already here started noticing what was happening and started organizing and creating and not giving up on the possibilities. And we now have an AMAZING pops symphony orchestra in our little town comprised of semi-professional players to people who love to play their instruments and probably never thought they'd have these kinds of experiences.

And everyone volunteers their time. (That's Abbie's violin teacher, Jessie, on the left.)

The program last Wednesday was stirring with the music and the spoken word from local dignitaries. Those who have served in the Armed Forces were honored.

And the music was Just Wonderful. That's Jake with his trombone standing with the brass section. What a really incredible experience it is for him to be able to play with this group.

I realized that there are groups like this all over the world. But in our town of 5000 this is pretty big stuff. It has been wonderful to be a part of the evolution of talent and music in our community.

And for those of us who attended the program last Wednesday it was a stirring and fulfilling experience. It was like the old-time patriotic community programs.

Only we didn't have any apple pie.