It was on the southwest corner of the old high school building – had clearly been added several years after the completion of the original building – had its own outside entrance – I considered it to be my second home – the band room – domain of Max Hendrickson.

From the earliest days of my sixth grade year I had a deep appreciation for Mr. Hendrickson – something about him – always kind – expecting us to do our best but never in any manner other than courteous – an encourager – sometimes we were not as prepared as he would have liked for us to be – but we all managed to get through it all together. Now, years later, I have experienced a multitude of different band directors (including some of this country’s very best) and my appreciation for Max Hendrickson has continued to grow. He provided me with a very solid foundation for my future work. We were all blessed beyond our wildest imagination.

Some special memories for me –

My first experience with Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival (written for the Boston Pops Orchestra) was in a Christmas concert in what – during my years – was the “new” gym on the north end of the old junior high building.

Trips to Hutchinson for the state fair band day beginning with a parade and then a fun day at the fairgrounds.

Pep band for home basketball games – what a horrible experience it must have been for visiting basketball teams to travel to Augusta always to discover that they got to begin the game by shooting the ball towards a goal with the backdrop of the student section – I don’t remember us ever winning a good sportsmanship award but a lot of great basketball was played in that gym. Names of legends – Hastings, Barnes, Penney, Shoger and on and on.

Speaking of the gym – the annual Band-o-rama program – lots of wonderful music all guided by the hands and the teaching of Max.

Jazz band – again – I learned a foundation of musical style that later enabled me to successfully audition for the United States Air Force Bands program – there will be a number of other stories about this in later posts from other eras of my life.

Times – hours and hours – in the band room other than times for class – it was my study hall especially during my last two years in high school – a place of comfort and peace amidst the business of those years.

The time that I was taken to the Fruhauf Uniform Company offices in Wichita, introduced to Mr. Fred Fruhauf, grandson of the founder of the company, fitted for the new drum major’s uniform – which I wore with pride for the remainder of my high school years – a real honor. Later I would also serve as drum major in college and in the Air Force – Max taught me well.

Oh YES, we had fun – but we will save most of those stories for private conversations.

Stand up and cheer! . . .