Band Director Leaves A Legacy

For Two Newtown Students

By Sarah Walton

Katie Cummings and Kevin Rovelli, drum majors of the Newtown High School Marching Band, were saddened recently when their Drum Major Academy Director George N. Parks died on September 16. Now, they keep his memory alive every weekend as they lead “Legacy,” the marching band’s show.

Mr Parks was director of the Minuteman Marching Band at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and creator and director of Drum Major Academy. Kevin said Mr Parks coached more than 80,000 students on the importance of band leadership, and feels it is unfortunate that future Newtown drum majors will not be able to work with him.

Katie and Kevin worked with Mr Parks during a weeklong session of Drum Major Academy in early September. According to the NHS seniors, former drum majors of Newtown High School attended the same camp.

The two students said “Legacy” was selected with Mr Parks in mind during this year’s band camp at the end of August, roughly two weeks before Mr Parks suffered a heart attack.

“It’s so fitting that our show name this year is ‘Legacy’ because the legacy George Parks leaves behind is so strong and affects so many people,” said Katie. “I really hope that he knew how he touched and inspired everyone he met.”

Kevin was particularly inspired by the late band director, and said that he would not be the drum major he is today without the encouragement he received from Mr Parks.

“Being drum major is not just conducting the music; it is the job of the drum major to inspire the band to perform its best,” he says.

Katie said she has used some of Mr Parks’s methods during band practice.

“The most memorable lesson he taught was the one where he told us to always ‘Sparkle, Hut,’” said Katie, using a term that reminds drum majors to be performers as well as leaders. “Put on a smile, stand up straight, it makes all the difference,” she added.

According to Katie and Kevin, Mr Parks and the atmosphere of Drum Major Academy were positive and enthusiastic.

“Not five minutes passed where we didn’t applaud what someone did,” said Kevin.