The Music Man

Author’s note: In April of 2005 I had the opportunity to perform this song for Ralph Pauley at the Alumni Band’s spring concert (video is below). I was helped with the talents of Alumni Band members and the BHS Swing Choir. In August of 2005 he passed away. It was an honor to play for the Music Man.

I knew a man who had his own band, the Bellingham High School Red Raider Band. The first time I met him I was the young age of ten. He marched his whole band to the far side of town, and he showed my small school how big band should sound. He showed off each instrument and he challenged the children to play. The thing that I saw in the eyes of his band when he raised his baton and he tapped on his stand was a sense of respect and admiration for the man and I knew . . . it was an honor to play for the Music Man. They marched straight and tall for the Music Man. They gave it their all for the Music Man was their mentor, their teacher, their friend.

I knew a man who had his own band who moved out from Texas to find a new land. He gave up his sunshine for pretty near nine months of rain. He taught 20 years at Bellingham High and thirty years total before he retired. Hundreds of teenagers learned how to march and to play. He was more than a teacher, he was more like a dad. He made band a family and not just a class. He helped kids to make it through high school . . . I know he helped me. It was an honor to play for the Music Man.  I marched straight and tall for the Music Man. I gave it my all for the Music Man was my mentor, my teacher, my friend.

I knew a man who had his own band. Three hundred strong they stood at his command. The Bellingham High School Alumni Red Raider Band.  18 to 80 we stood side by side to march a parade, to show Raider pride. To play for the city, the school and to play for the man. He walked out ahead of the band on that day. He enjoyed every smile, every cheer, every wave for he was the Music Man and he taught his students to play. And as long as he tapped his baton to a stand, we came to make sure that he had his own band. For we loved, we respected, and admired the man and we knew . . . it was an honor to play for the Music Man. We marched straight and tall for the Music Man. We gave it our all for the Music Man was our mentor, our teacher, our friend.

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