Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Band Strikes Gold

Gurdon's Go-Devil Jazz Band struck gold once again as the band brought home more iron from a contest at Redwater, Texas recently.

According to Alan Wimberly, director of the band, the Devils received 29 ones or superior ratings, and eight twos, or excellent ratings. There were no other ratings brought back by the band.

The judges, he said, commented on how well the band played, its tone and the blend of the music. However, Wimberly said, the comment he's most proud of is how well disciplined the band was.

Discipline, he said is the key to success. "I'm confident we could go anywhere with this group of young men and women without any problems."

And road trips are planned for these musicians. They will be heading to Dallas, Texas, where they will go to Six Flags over Texas and stay in a hotel. Wimberly said he's not worried in the least about how the band members will behave.

Several awards and honors were given out at the band banquet recently, with the first members of the Wall of Fame being inducted. The first to earn the service award were Charles and Anita Cabe for all they've done for the program.

The alumni award went to Dr. Barry Bryan, currently with the University of Alabama. Dr. Bryant credited his success to being in the band and learning skills necessary for life. The award was accepted by Bryan's father, D.W. on his behalf.

Life skills are taught along with music, Wimberly said. The students don't only learn to plan an instrument, they learn how to adapt and deal with various situations. "We teach citizenship first," he said. "They learn to say yes, sir and no, sir." This, he added, is at the sixth grade level.

Of course, they also learn harmonics, scales, majors and minors, but have to work hard and be dedicated.

The band, he continued, was one of six in the Region 3 contest to get first division, which is no mean feat with the competition at this event.

In fact, he said, no part of the band's program has received anything less than an excellent rating in all contests they've participated in.

Turning the topic to a new auditorium, Wimberly said one is needed. "There's been a lot of talk about a new stadium, and it's important. But we have a good band and choir, along with many other things. We're hearing nothing about a new auditorium and we need one.

"The band needs a place to play."

Actually, it was the beginner band doing well at the Redwater Solo and Ensemble Contest and bringing back 37 medals.

At the band banquet, the First State Bank Award went to Lindi Escalante and Trey Burchfield.

The International Paper Award went to Martha Branton and Whitney Hogue

Stan Escalante was presented a gavel for his service to the band program.

Blake Gills will be the president of the Band Booster Club next year and was also presented with a gavel.

Teresa Blake earned the prestigious John Phillip Sousa Award.