Good day band faMily,
I hope you this find all of you doing well. I had a very relaxing weekend after a long marching band season. I also relaxed a great deal after the stress of my announcement was finally out in the open. I did want to write something here to make it website official I guess.
As of now, I sure you have heard of my retirement plans which will happen May 1, 2022.
While it caught a many people by surprise, I think a few close to me were not that surprised. Teaching and band directing in particular is career that takes 100% of a persons time and energy to do correctly. As many jobs in the world call for that kind of effort, I think band directing/coaching/teaching is in a unique category with so many elements that need to be balanced to keep the boat sailing in the direction you want it. That commitment is what makes the job so great………….and also why I am so thankful for retirement. I am at complete ease with the decision and so grateful to so many. While this means change, which is scary, I hope you can help me celebrate my retirement with me.
Frequently asked questions:
What got you to this decision?
Back in December 2020, I called the state department for the first time to ask about retirement. I had been working for 23 years and never really asked. I found out with so many sick days I had saved up my first available retirement date could be January 1,2022. At that time, retirement wasn’t on my radar, but it did plant a seed.
I began to think more and more about it. As I investigated more, I realized it was much more feasible financially than I thought. Two weeks ago I had a final zoom meeting with the state department and asked all the hard questions. After much prayer, Christy and I felt good about a full commitment with the decision.
What will you miss the most?
No doubt, my interactions with the students. The same things that wear a teacher down are the same things we enjoy the most. The ups and downs, the successes and failures, the constant setting goals and striving to reach them are the underlying motivations of this staff and band program. Standing in front of the students, time running out before the performance, finding ways to motivate them to get over the hump and push further than they thought they were capable…….that is what makes this job so enjoyable to me. Those days I will miss the most. When I felt I had the most positively impact on the students. I will really miss that.
What will you miss the least?
HAHA. Well let’s see, it is a toss up between a pep rally or school bus rides. It’s hard to decide on that one. There are some middle school days where the kids just forget they are human beings and turn into …… other beings. I wont miss those days. Professional development, moving chairs and stands, and stressing about the budget are on the list as well. There isn’t a lot at Muscle Shoals that are terrible. In all honesty, I have nothing to complain about.
Who is going to be the next head director?
This is the question I get asked the most. The answer is nobody knows yet. The position will be filled through an application process just like any other position in the school system. Then there will be an interview process and Dr. Kevin Davis and the staff will select the next head director. If that person is one of our current directors, then another position will immediately open up and they will start the hiring process for that exactly the same way.
One of the reasons for making my announcement in November is for the good of the program. I turned in an official letter last week which the school board will vote at it’s next meeting. The position will be advertised quickly. The timing is perfect so that the most and best qualified teachers will apply. Once hired, then the process of transition can start when it needs to and not waiting. This new team will plan next years show design for marching band and so forth. The new head director will not officially start until May 1st obviously.
The quicker the new team can be assembled, the better for the band program. No waiting around and not knowing. Also, it will allow me to mentor and help the new person as much as possible.
One thing I do know without a doubt is that only 1/3 of this three person team is retiring. Every year this band program graduates 1/4 of it’s members and we have just gone through the covid years and we came out stronger. STRONGER!!!!!! One director change is not going to change this program at all. Matter of fact, it’s gonna get better quickly.
Any thoughts on the future of the band?
I have plenty to say, but will keep it brief if possible. I believe in all my heart this program will get better quickly after I retire. A fresh new face on staff is going to help take this band to the next level. It’s the way it’s always been for this program. Every head director has been able to take the band in a new direction that brought about positive growth. Stratford built the p[rogram, Pat Stegall took this program to new heights, and I believe I did as well. And it’s going to happen again.
What are your plans after you retire?
I will enjoy my retirement very much as you can imagine. I plan to keep myself in the music world for sure. Don’t be surprised if you see my name on the judging list of a local contest the trojans are competing in. That will be weird for sure 🙂 Gonna see what opportunities lie out there with consulting and so forth. Gonna work the concession stand grill at ballgames and be a band parent. Will most likely find myself behind the wheel of the band truck some Friday nights.
What now?
Well, now I plan to make the most of every moment I can over the next four months. The Christmas Program, MPA and WGI percussion will certainly be fun this year considering. I wont back off on anything band wise that is for sure, but it’s very possible you may see me smile more often than normal. It’s a smile that comes from a career spent with so many wonderful people. It’s a smile that can only come from confidence and contentment . I don’t want my retirement to be a sad thing. I want it to be a celebration for what we did, and what greatness lies ahead for this program.
Thank you everyone who has reached out to me. While it is bittersweet, it’s very exciting for me. I have been known for the past 25 years as “Muscle Shoals band director”. I have allowed myself to be defined by my job which I will never regret. It was a job worth identifying with. But things are going to change for me. Exciting and a little anxious as well.
Thank you all for being my last. Saving the best……… 🙂
YWNWA
