Posted by Dwight Leonard, Class of 1971 on 3/11/2008, 5:00 pm, in reply to "Wilson Band on the comeback..."
76.160.117.154
It really is great to hear about this story. It does not take long for a band to falter if the director is not motivated and ready to motive his or her students. I was a band member with Don Ruzek and also played in the orchestra with Michael Laguta. They both inspired me to be a band director as well as professional woodwind player. I have read the message boards here about Mr. Laguta. I will never forget him saving my butt from getting beat up outside the bandroom when I came to the aid of another student who getting attacked. I was on the ground outside the band room with 3 or 4 guys kicking me and he jumped in and broke it up and they took off running. I got a cracked rib out of it and remember feeling those bruises for months. He saved me from worse injuries.
I have had the opportunity to rebuild 2 middle/Jr. high school bands in Norfolk as well as starting the first band at Tallwood HS in VA Beach when it opened up. I understand what this director at Wilson is going through. His dedication and attitude will carry the band far. It is great to hear what he is doing for the students. The All American Army Marching Band is quite an honor. Only 2 students from each state were selected to my recollection.
I know of a number of teachers I had, especially in elementary school, who would never believe that I was awarded a Masters in Education with honors. If I had not been in the band at Hunt and WWHS, I probably would be in jail with a good friend of mine I used to hang out with(Unfortunately - this is true). The band and sports got me away from that rough crowd and gave me a reason to want to come to school and to think about college. At times I see people on this board who seem to complain about the education they received at WWHS. I know for a fact that without this support from these fine teachers and mentors, I would have had a very different life. I have been elected President of the VA Band and Orchestra Directors Association and was selected to serve 8 states on the National Federation Music Committee. Last year, I was invited to conduct the District IV Top Band in Chesapeake which I think had students from WWHS. This is not to brag but to show that a "Person from Portsmouth" can do well.
Each student is looking for their area that they can excel and the band can be very important and keep them in school. I am no longer in the classroom fulltime but I am fortunate to work with bands and orchestras up and down the east coast. My son is also following in my footsteps as a future band director and I hope he has as much enjoyment and fullfillment as I have had. For me, this is a direct link to my first band director, Don Ruzek. He passed away in 1998. I found a great article a short while ago written about Don on the internet and I called up the author in Idaho and thanked him for it. If anyone reads this posting and would like a copy, let me know and I will send you the PDF article. I wish my son could have met Don. I know how important these teachers were to me. I am very proud to be an alumni of WWHS. I wish the best to this band director and I hope I have the opportunity to see and hear them in the future.
Dwight Leonard
Executive Director
Fiesta-val Music Festivals
Camp Director - Mid Atlantic Band Camps
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