How One Parent Led Our Community and Changed the New Hope/Owen’s Cross Roads Bands


I am writing to let you know of good things that have happened with the New Hope and Owen’s Cross Roads Band programs. The band programs have a long tradition of excellence. In the past, they performed regularly at festivals and games. The community has been very supportive of the program. We are a small town located between Huntsville and Guntersville, in north Alabama. We are a community that has gone through transitions from a medium-size rural school to a smaller rural school. Large parts of our zone have annexed into Huntsville. The diminishing size and financial resources have taken their toll.


There are many good things about our school, community and music program. We have good students that are willing to work hard. They are talented and smart. The school is the center of the community. We have thousands of people at athletic events, hundreds at concerts and it seems like the entire population at parades. We have a good relationship with our elementary schools. Everyone wants what is right and strives to make it the best. The boosters are strong and active. They strive to help in every way they can. It is sometimes hard to get everyone to understand how much we have to offer. Previous teachers did a good job with fundamental music instruction and keeping the community behind the program.


The band program was lacking basic funding. Grades 6-12 were functioning on $7000-$9000 annually made from a football concession stand and a few fund raisers. Out of this, the band attended 10 football games, provided meals on game day, paid for buses, hired band camp staff, purchased music and paid other expenses. When one full-size tuba costs $5000+ and uniforms are tens of thousands, that amount of money does not go far. The lack of usable instruments had already begun to limit the possibilities for the band program. Eventually, the problem would have become overwhelming. We were making plans to overcome the shortfalls and plan for the future.


Then something unusual happened. A parent, Mitchell Brown, came to me. He had attended our meetings where we discussed what needed to be done to solve our financial problems. Mitchell was a product of our program. He graduated when the band and school were larger. He loves our community and these students. His son is in


48


band. His wife works in one of our elementary schools. I knew he had a great desire to help. I did not realize how much help he could be.


He asked about doing a benefit concert for our program. He explained that he was part of a group that did benefit concerts for charities every 4-5 years. He said that he would rent out our local civic center, rehearse with the orchestra, sell tickets, ask for donations from all over our area of the state, and give all of the profits to the band. It was a generous offer. They had raised tens of thousands for various needy causes. Then he said it was an “Elvis” show and he was an impersonator. My mind immediately went to the movies and the typical portrayal of such events. All I could see in my mind was a glorified night club act with several dozen in attendance.


shortfalls,


by Michael Aycock, Director of Bands New Hope High School


would need. $30,000 fills the current instrument


repairs many


instruments, and may help us do something special. Now we may have options. With $24,500, the band has purchased the following instruments (new and good- condition used): 2 convertible tubas, 2 convertible euphoniums, 2 French horns, 2 marching French horns, a marimba, and a vibraphone. We spent a large amount on repair. With $30,000+ we can do more. I have been able to expand the purchases to include flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and trombones. Individuals in the community and in neighboring communities have heard about the need. They want to donate used instruments. Further monetary donations are still arriving. Students with verifiable need will be able to join us when they could not before. We will be able to offer band to all of our students on the instruments that meet their needs and ours.


This one parent, working with our strong community, a supportive administration, quality students, hard-working parents and other volunteers, has changed the current situation of our band and secured our future. While the country is experiencing a long- term economic downturn, things are looking up in New Hope.


I WAS SO WRONG. Mitchell asked me to join the orchestra for the event. I am a trombone player.


It sounded like fun.


However, my vision was still limited by my own preconceived notions. Then I attended a rehearsal. Mitchell was great. His show was musically strong and family oriented. He had a strong following and was a blast to be around. We sold 1500+ tickets. He invited our band to participate in a song, solicited thousands in donations, and made the students feel so good about their part. Local dignitaries attended. People made donations and bought recordings.


I was hoping for $10,000. So far, we have received $30,000 and the number is still growing from further donations and DVD sales. I told Mitchell, in terms of a modern- day game show, this is “life-changing money” for our band.


I had discussed with the parents the need to regularly spend thousands on new instruments just to keep up with an aging inventory and any instrument expansions we


The New Hope Band participated in their first marching competitions in 5+ years in the fall 0f 2011. In March of 2012, the band participated in their first concert festival in 5+ years. We hope to take a spring trip soon, like other bands.


I hope and pray that I am able to lead them in such a way that is worthy of these efforts. I am blessed to be a part of this great school, in a small town in Alabama.


Thank you to Mitchell Brown, the


Twickenham Orchestra and everyone that helped.


February/March 2013


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