T.A. Dugger band performs spring concert with a twist
Published 2:14 pm Friday, March 22, 2024
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Thursday evening’s T.A. Dugger Junior High spring band concert served two purposes with a surprise thrown in.
The concert signified the end of the public playing season for the musicians and the end of a 37-year career for band director Chris Lockhart, who will be retiring at the end of the school season.
Packed with family and friends, John Treadway Gym echoed with the sounds of various pieces performed by the Beginning Band from TAD as well as the Advanced Band.
A surprise for those attending came when band members from the junior high combined with the Elizabethton High School band to form a 350-member ensemble with the moment being a historical one according to high school band director Jonathan Valentine, who co-conducted during the piece.
The performance was well received as the audience gave the group a rousing ovation when the piece titled Highlights from 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky was concluded.
During the concert, the Beginning Band performed Midnight Mission by Brian Balmages and Casey’s Last Run by Timothy Loest.
The Advanced Band performed pieces from John Edmondson (Normandy Beach March), James Swearingen (A Song of Hope), Robert W. Smith (Encanto), and wrapped up the evening with a traditional playing of Go Ye Ole Betsy.
Beginning Band members who participated in the ETSBOA Solo and Ensemble Festival were recognized by Lockhart while those in the Advanced Band that were participants in the ETSBOA Jr. Clinic were also recognized.
Lockhart was presented with gifts from both the junior high and high school band for his contribution to helping develop a state championship quality high school band program at the middle school level.
He was given a standing ovation from those in attendance.
