by Gary Gribble
In 1992, our school was starting its fifth year of existence.
We felt that we were improving as a band program and wanted to challenge
ourselves to achieve even higher standards, so we entered the Bands of America Southeast Regional Championships.
Imagine our surprise when we were named the 1st place group in our first ever BOA activity!
It was a true honor just to be among the fine bands present and to achieve such a high status really motivated the program to continue the journey to excellence.
That same year, I heard about the first Bands of America National Concert Festival.
For many years, the name William Revelli had been synonymous with some of the finest concert bands in history.
To know that the festival was created to help foster his vision of a national forum for outstanding concert bands made it something special and gave us something to strive toward in our concert band development.
Having previously met Dr. Revelli at other national music conferences,
watching him rehearse groups and hearing him speak on the importance
of quality in your daily efforts to make music, I knew that the
standard for performance would be high. We were ecstatic when we
received the invitation to perform at the 1993 BOA Concert Festival.
In the paperwork, there was an announcement heralding the
establishment of the first "Revelli Scholarship" for potential music
education majors. I encouraged one of my students to write the essay
and submit an application for the award. I knew that this student
wanted to become a band director and that he believed in the
philosophy set forth by Dr. Revelli and Bands of America in creating
the scholarship.
As we entered the stage in Pick-Staiger Hall (the event was held at
Northwestern University), you could feel the anticipation in the air.
We were introduced, the kids stood as one, I strode confidently to the
podium, bowed to the audience, turned to face the band, and was pinned
to my spot by the intense stare of Dr. William D. Revelli...looking at
me from the balcony behind the band as my conducting evaluator. I
almost fainted. I couldn't remember what we were about to play, I was
sure that everyone could see me shaking, and I wanted nothing more
than to awaken from this dream. Somehow, I was able to get the band
going and the performance was actually quite good. I breathed a huge
sigh of relief as the applause faded. Afterwards, I listened to his
taped commentary and about a dozen measures into the first piece he
said, "Young man...no need to be afraid. You know this music...your band
plays well...enjoy it." I have carried those words with me in every
concert since that day.
Later during the event, the announcement of the Revelli Scholarship
winner was to be made. We sat in the audience eagerly anticipating the
fact that a student from one of the fine bands represented would walk
away with this honor. When the name was announced, we were frozen for
a moment. It was Josh Rudolph, the young man from our school. The
celebration was immediate and intense. Josh met Dr. Revelli on stage
and had a photo made with "the master."
It was an amazing experience for all involved and our program was
motivated to achieve even higher levels of musical success. We
returned to the BOA NCBF again in 1996 and in 1998, when the second of
our students, Elizabeth Ryan, was awarded the Revelli Scholarship. Our
band program has benefited greatly from the evaluation, the clinics,
and the experiences afforded us through BOA. We have participated in
marching events on the regional and grand national level since 1992,
and have had a number of students in the Honor Band of America.
In 2006, Josh Rudolph, former student, band director in South Carolina
for eight years, returned to Pope as the Associate Band Director.
Working alongside Josh is a rewarding experience and a true honor. As
an educator, you hope that the lessons stay with your students beyond
their school years. Not only are Josh and Liz successful band
directors, but 11 other Pope graduates have earned degrees and teach
music. Over 25 are active performers. The picture of Josh and Dr.
Revelli hangs proudly for all to see on the band office wall at Pope.
There are currently eight more graduates pursuing music degrees, so
when I finally decide to retire, I can imagine both Pope band
directors being graduates of the school where they work. Having the
legacy continue is the highest form of respect and the best way for
students to say "thank you" !
Gary Gribble
Director of Bands
Pope H.S.
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