Appendix V
Previous Page - Table of Contents - Next Page
Memoirs re: Evangel University Concert Band
I began to direct the Evangel College Concert Band in the Fall, 1966. Previous to this time I was a student member of the group, so I had a pretty good idea of the objectives of the Concert Band, the focus of the repertoire, the instrumental balance desired, and rehearsal procedures … that involved not only musical preparation, but spiritual preparation for the unique ministry that it had. I have been always indebted for the vision and hard work of Dr. Jesse Peterson when he established the musical & spiritual role that the Concert Band would fill. The privilege and the challenge of presenting a significant spiritual ministry through the band setting was very attractive to me as a student, and continued with me as the director. While I always enjoyed teaching classes and lessons, and directing the College Band, I think my work with the Concert Band with the combination of music and ministry cemented my long-term commitment to Evangel, the Music Department, and its students.
For a period of 30 years … starting in the Fall, 1966 through the Spring, 1996 … I served as Director of the Concert Band. However, in the 1995-96 touring year a string section was added to the winds and percussion, and the Concert Orchestra evolved. The current CO director, Dr. Larry Dissmore, played viola on the tours that year, and then became the Director of the Concert Orchestra in the Fall, 1996.
So over a period of 30 years of touring, which was accomplished in approximately 25 days annually, I was on the road with students roughly 750 days. In the earlier years our tours were taken during the Thanksgiving Week and during the Easter Week … but subsequently the days away from campus were during the Fall Break and the Spring Break. We toured for a period of time during the January Term … and in later years toured more extensively in May every other year.
Highlights included 3 tours to Europe … for 6 weeks in 1971, for 4 weeks in 1984, and 5 weeks in 1995. In each of these cases, students were responsible for raising their financial support for plane tickets and spending money, but offerings both state-side and in Europe were sufficient to cover all other expenses. The European trips were significant parts of the education of our band students, both in culture and in geography; but also in understanding the missionary work and the reach of the gospel to all people. Many students who were involved in those particular tours have gone on to do both long-term and short-term missionary service around the world.
I was assisted on most Concert Band tours by other faculty members from Evangel. Among those who were: Dr. Joe Nicholson, Dr. George Wood, Dr. Don Argue, Dr. William Menzies, Rev. Neil Eskelin, Rev. Hubert Morris, Rev. Dwight Colbaugh, and Dr. Glenn Bernet. I, along with the students, were blessed many times by devotionals and sermons offered by these spiritual leaders. Also, the touring was made much more enjoyable by many capable, congenial drivers that we connected with during the many hours spent together. One driver, Louis Smith with MK&O bus lines, drove the Concert Band for 15 years; and became a very beloved brother. Significantly, I directed the band long enough that I had the pleasure of having my 2 daughters, Leah (clarinet) and Rachelle (oboe) tour with me.
In addition to the special tours to Europe, I remember several other trips that were noteworthy. In the late 60’s the band played for an Easter Sunrise service at 6:30a.m. in Grand Junction, CO; in the early 70’s the band played for the World Pentecostal Conference in Dallas, TX; in the late 80’s the band traveled to Houston, TX for a week-end to provide the accompaniment for a church cantata; in the 80’s one of the most outstanding May Tours took the band all the way down the West Coast. The appearances that the band made on the television programs: 100 Huntley Street and PTL Club were also great moments.
In preparation for Concert Band Tours, I always reminded the students that through the Concert Band experience I wanted to see them grow in 4 specific areas of their lives … Musically, Educationally,
Socially, and Spiritually. Musically Because the instrumentation of the Concert Band was very much like a Wind Ensemble ( with each individual reading a separate part ) every player became much more valuable. I found that this configuration forced each player to work harder, to improve musically, and to become much more of a leader with their musical skills. On every tour the band improved daily in its expressiveness, its blend, its accuracy and in its ability to worship through the music. Educationally In 30 years of touring, the band played concerts in all 48 of the contiguous states, Canada, and Europe.
All students who were in the band for any length of time were able to travel to 25-30 states. This in itself was a tremendous educational experience. My tendency as a leader was to have the students see as many natural sights as possible, and to visit the most renown tourist spots in our travels. By staying in local homes, for the most part, students were also able to connect with local cultures, different foods, dialects, and idiosyncrasies … all part of their education. Socially Some of the strongest bonds of friendship were established on these tours. Some couples eventually married. Many touring friends continue to stay in touch. The working together, rehearsing together, ministering together, praying together …all contributed to these strong bonds of friendship. Spiritually Through the daily bus devotions, the times of pre-service preparation and prayer, the many choruses sung together, the many actual services, and some individual quiet times away from campus allowed students to cement their spiritual commitments on tour.
In my 30 years of touring with the Concert Band I always reminded students that they would be representing Evangel University, their family, and the Lord Jesus Christ as they moved from church to church, in and out of host homes, in restaurants, on the bus …. And I never had to worry for a moment. I never remember losing a minutes sleep worrying about how the students were conducting themselves when they were out of my sight.
Finally, over my 30 years of touring … to see the level of commitment by hundreds of students … to see their growth in areas of leadership, in their boldness to witness for the Lord, in their servanthood in dealing with each brother and sister … to observe their love for music and the ministry that was given them through the Concert Band … has added immeasurably to my life personally. I am indeed grateful that I was able to carry the title … Director of the Evangel College Concert Band for most of my adult life.