Q&A with Richard Petty

After 15 years as artistic director and conductor of the Believers Concert Band, longtime Gainesville First member Richard Petty is retiring and has stepped down from leadership of the band. Richard was one of the band’s co-founders in 2002, along with Bill Clements, Dr. John Darden Dr. Lee Martin, and Muryle Shoemaker.
 
Over the years, the band has grown to more than 50 musicians and has included a number of students – middle school through college – as well as adults of varying skill level and band experience. In addition to the concert band, there are other ensembles that are part of the organization, including the Gala Flute Ensemble and Sentimental Journey Jazz and Swing Band, which Richard plans to continue leading.
 
Each year, the band presents multiple concerts at GFUMC and elsewhere in our community. Since 2013, they have partnered with the Chancel Choir to present the annual Patriotic Celebration.
 
Richard will be honored April 23 for his dedicated service to the band and GFUMC.  This is the same date as the Believers Concert Band spring concert, which will be held at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary. A reception will be held following the concert to celebrate his retirement.
 
Richard and his wife, Rita, have been members of GFUMC for more than 22 years. Recently, he offered his thoughts about the growth of the band and its success.

Q. When you co-founded the Believers Concert Band in 2002, what were your goals for the organization?

A. We felt that there were many former instrumentalists in the church and the community who might like to play their instruments again, if the opportunity was there.  We wanted to provide the opportunity for others to play their horns again.  One of the most important goals was to have fun playing.

Q. What have you found to be most enjoyable about working with the band for so long?

A. A couple of things stand out.  The ownership of the band by the audience has been enjoyable.  We now have a couple hundred supporters, or more, who come to all of our concerts and consider The Believers Band their band.  They have followed us for many years and encouraged us at every level of our development. Secondly, I have enjoyed the personal relationships that have developed with the players and the audience.  There is a fondness that is really heartwarming.  Sharing the successes and the concerns of the band family is something that I will truly miss. Thirdly, I’ve enjoyed watching and sharing the band member’s satisfaction in playing well and becoming an excellent musical organization. Fourth, there is the satisfaction of knowing that we have accomplished something that few would have tried, and we succeeded.

Q. What has surprised you most in terms of the band’s growth and improvement over the years?

A. One of the unique aspects of the Believers Band is the wide range of ability levels that make up the band.  It has been a challenge and at the same time rewarding to offer a program that meets all of their needs.  We have some players in the band who had never played an instrument before joining the band, and we also have several music majors and players who also play in the Northwinds Symphonic Band, as well as all levels in between.  The more accomplished players willingly help those with less experience improve, and some players freely practice more to keep up.

Q. To what do you attribute the band’s success?

A. I believe that the Lord put the band together and helps keep it together and successful.  Being part of the band family also is a key factor in the band’s success. One of our goals has been to build on our strengths and not dwell on the parts a player can’t play.  One of the traditions of the band is to take personal responsibility to learn the part and know when to lay out.  About three weeks before a concert, the parts just seem to be ready. Add to that the band’s willingness to contribute and share their talents and take personal responsibility have all played a key role in our success. I have also found that if you don’t care who gets the credit, a lot more can be accomplished.

Q. Why did you feel that now was the time for you to step down from conducting the band?

A. I have never wanted to step away from the tremendous relationships of being with the band and in front of our fine audiences.  Hopefully those relationships will last for many years to come. Because of the work load of developing and overseeing both the Believers Concert Band and the Sentimental Journey Jazz and Swing Band, plus the responsibilities and hours spent with the band board’s activities, I was spending easily three to four days a week working on “band stuff.” 
 
I have been working on “passing the baton” since 2009, but I didn’t feel that some aspects of the band program were ready.  Before I stepped down I wanted to develop a band that any good band director would like to inherit. I wanted to establish some traditions that might be followed regardless of who the director might be, I wanted the band to be financially stable, and I wanted enough musical talent playing in the band to fill the leadership role.  We had six conductors play in the band on the Cowboy Concert. I also wanted a set of standards developed for good decision making.  All of these goals have been met.  I felt that the band has the bases covered to successfully continue without any downtime in the concert schedule.  I felt this was a perfect time to attract another director/conductor.  The ingredients for a successful transfer are now together.

Q. How will you continue to be involved with the band in the future?

A. Sometime this fall, I may return to the band as a lowly trombone player.  This is a strong section so I hope that I can pass the audition (he smiles broadly when saying this).  I also anticipate that I would do some conducting and teaching as needed and also serve on committees where I can make a contribution. I look forward to being with the band family again and doing what I can to contribute.

Q. Any people you wish to thank?

A. As I reflect over the fifteen year investment that Rita and I have made to the Believers Band’s music ministry, I can safely say that we have met some great people and have experienced some truly high points over the years.  Without Dr. Lee Martin, Sr. we would not have had this opportunity to play again.  Without Bill Clements and his many years of playing and support, we would not be the same band.  Without Dr. Gerald Thurman, Senior Pastor at the time, approving our beginning and supporting us, we may not have made it past the first year. Sam Marley, Director of Music for many years at GFUMC, was supportive and enabled our existence within the church music program and offered us opportunities to play. Ron Evans took interest in the band early on and gave his support by teaching the band and conducting the band as “John Philip Sousa”.  The band would still be in the dark ages without Parker Henderson, our music Liberian.  John LaForge has been a tremendous help personally to the band along, with the support of the office staff.  Jill Momper, Rudy Lanier and Dianasue Walton have contributed so much to the band, also. Larry Preiss has worked so hard to make the transition work smoothly. There are so many people who have contributed to our success. I wish I could say that I had a lot to do with it, but it was really a lot of folks that made the difference. As far as thoughts and hopes, I want to continue to enjoy the band’s successes and appreciate all their hard work.

Q. Anything else?

A. You don’t easily walk away from something you have birthed, nourished, guided and invested for fifteen years.  The Believers Band is more to me than playing music.  Each band member is special and each has been a big part of Rita’s and my life.  Thank you for sharing together.  We are looking forward to the spring concert, following the band’s successes and being a part of the band in the future.

• originally published by Gainesville First United Methodist Church –  www.gfumc.com