Music in Ekalaka schools

A few days ago, I was telling my daughter, Brenda, about some of the things that happened when I was in the band at CCHS. She said to me, “You are always decrying the fact that you weren't good in sports when you went to school, but it sounds to me like you were good in other things, including music.” She was right, of course, and I am going to try to tell you about my experiences in music in Ekalaka schools.

Music first started for me in the second grade. We had a time of singing songs when kids who knew that song were asked to come up before the class and help lead it. Buddy and LaVerne Morrison always knew the songs and came up. It was funny when LaVerne would interrupt when he thought that Buddy got the words wrong. Mrs. Lenore MacLeod was our teacher. We continued with music, both singing and playing instruments, throughout grade school. I played the trumpet in grade school; I had a beat up old trumpet that we got from somewhere. I wish I still had it.

In my freshman year of high school we had a class called Music Appreciation which, of course, the music teacher taught. One of my most memorable times in school happened in that class and had nothing to do with music. It was a nice warm spring day. The class was held just before lunch break. A number of the boys decided that when the bell rang they would jump out the window and go to lunch. I was not one of them. They did so and it was great fun until they got back to school and had to face the wrath of Pop Rowley. Those of you who have had to face him know what I mean.

I had a real good time with music throughout high school. I was in Chorus and Glee Club every time I could be and enjoyed it immensely. Once, maybe twice, we had an operetta which was like a play with music. I liked that even better. I wish that I could remember specific people and incidents from those times but as I have mentioned before, I am losing some of my memories from Ekalaka.

One of the things that was very fun and educational was going to the music festival in Glendive every year. We didn’t march as a band, maybe we did one year, but mostly just watched. One time I was moving along with the crowd, trying to keep up with the parade. There were National Guardsmen there helping to keep order and a squad of them was marching along the sidewalk. I ducked in ahead of one of them and he discretely kneed me in the butt. I thought that was kind of funny and he probably enjoyed it.

My greatest music time in high school was in the band. I switched to the baritone horn in high school, probably because the school had one that I could use. Playing it was somewhat like the trumpet but, of course, it was a lower pitched instrument. I have told many people that I didn’t really learn to play but that I faked it. That was true to some degree but I was considered to be a good player.

My greatest time as a band member was when I was selected to be in something called the Southeastern Montana Honor Band. Kids from each school were selected and we went to Miles City where we practiced for three days and then put on two or three concerts. This experience was what I was telling my daughter about. Someone else from Ekalaka, a girl I think, went also but I don’t remember who. There is my memory again.

Anyway, the guest director was a man named Paul Yoder. At that time he a very well known arranger of music. I was very impressed with him, especially how at certain times he insisted on playing very low. It was hard to get low enough to please him. We played several songs but the only one I remember was Mozart’s Impresario Overture. I really enjoyed playing that piece.

I could probably dredge up other experiences to tell you about but that will be all for now. Here in California schools are having trouble having enough money for music and other extracurricular activities. Sometimes they even require parents to pay extra for their kids to participate. I sincerely hope that Ekalaka kids still have music in their schools.