Thanks to everyone that helped make the Cowboy Concert a great success.  So many people worked hard behind the scenes with planning, promotion, flyers, program, setup and teardown, photos, and bringing items to use that enhanced the cowboy theme.  All the extra help was greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

For those of you that were not at rehearsal Tuesday, we missed you.  We know it was Valentine’s Day so we hope you did something special with someone special.  But if you were not there, Richard Petty made an announcement that we all knew was coming but hoped never would.

Richard announced that he is taking some well-deserved time off from the concert band.  He hopes to be asked to direct at concerts in the future and may even show up to play his trombone (or tenor sax) from time to time.  We owe Richard a great debt of gratitude for 15 years of very hard work giving us a “gift” we know as the Believers Concert Band.  We also hope that he and Rita will enjoy knocking some of those items off their bucket list.  Let’s celebrate with Richard and Rita and their exciting future.

It is important that we honor his legacy by continuing in his absence.  We will fulfill the commitments already made for 2017.  That includes the Spring Concert, the combined choir and band Patriotic Concert, two lake side services, the Veteran’s Concert, and Jingle Mingle.  Check out our web page for the dates for these events.

It is also important to know that this announcement was anticipated and plans are in place to continue.  We will be filling the open positions in the band Board (VP and Secretary) at next Tuesday’s rehearsal.  Please be present to vote.  Also, I will be appointing a special committee that will develop the criteria to be used in selecting a new Conductor and begin the selection process.  As I mentioned in band Tuesday, we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to directing talent in the band and we don’t feel it is necessary to find a new conductor immediately.  This committee will take it’s time to ensure that we select the right person that fits the band’s established culture and meets the needs of you, the band members, and our beloved, supportive audience.

I hope that if I call on you, you will be willing to continue to move the Believers Concert Band forward.

Regards,
Larry