As the 2012-2013 school year draws to a close, so is Daniel R. Pritchett’s astounding 38 years of contribution to the Valparaiso Community School District. He has touched and changed so many lives. He conducted his final Concert Band performance on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the “2013 Spring Band Festival”.
Legacy Winds: Seasons of Change, composed by Derek Gilbert Meilaender, was released as a surprise for Mr. Pritchett as a celebration to the Daniel R. Pritchett Legacy. The piece was composed to reflect Mr. Pritchett’s life and also the impact on the thousands of students.
When Derek was asked about what made him want to compose this piece of music he stated, “The Band Parent Association came to me in August and asked me if I would be willing to write a piece for this concert. I immediately jumped on the opportunity. Key points of the piece, which is set to 54- symbolic of the year 1954 when Dan was born; the use of the trumpet as one of the primary melodic instruments represents all of the people he taught and loved over the years, including his daughter Katie- who played the trumpet at VHS from 1999-2003. Also heard throughout the march is a strong percussion section, which signifies Dan’s son Josh, who performed in the concert and jazz bands between 2000 and 2004."
He continued, "The school theme is presented with saxophones, illustrating Dan’s playing and teaching of the alto saxophone, but it is heard later with all of the trombones as it combines with the family theme- personifying Dan as a father figure to us all as Director of Bands. The ‘winds’ created by the ensemble encompass the entire piece. At the beginning of they characterize “Life on a Farm, but at the end they flow through an ‘Empty Podeum.’ Dan has inspired me to continue on with music. I started off band in 6th grade as an alto saxophonist. By the early 2000s, I started volunteering with the Summer Band Program. After I started helping Mr. Pritchett with the beginning saxophone classes, I decided to pursue a degree in music education. I even tell some of my students the same jokes that he says. My personal favorite is “You have to concentrate…like orange juice”. After the seasons have changed, what remains steadfast is Dan’s legacy- his love for family, friends, students, school, community, and, especially, his love for music.”
“I was completely shocked by it. I was surprised by everything that went on, except for the bands playing the seven tunes as well as they did. I am very, very humbled. Nobody said anything about the piece by Derek, and the ‘A’ Band preparing that. I loved how the band played with so much energy. I couldn’t ask for anything more. The whole night was just really humbling, and I’m very grateful. This is a very ideal way to end the school year and my retirement.”
Pritchett enjoys the level of music the most as being the Head Band Director over VCS over the years. “I like to be able to play the level of music that we have been fortunate enough to play.” He says. “I never dreamed that I’d end up in a place where the kids would challenge themselves with this level of music that is being presented to them. Every band has always stepped up to the challenge and been the best. I cannot think of one band in all my 38 years that did not try their best.”
As Mr. Pritchett is retiring after the end of the 2012-2013 school year, he says he will miss the kids the most. “The kids keep me young. I will want to continue to be around and hang with the kids, after my retirement. I know that I still want to teach private lessons. Most of my best friends are some of my former students.”
The Valparaiso Band Parent Association President for the past five years, Dana Goelz, has worked along with the Vice President of the VBPA since the beginning of the school year to put this wonderful evening together.
“The amount of care and love that he gives continues to amaze me. Even when the chaperones are around he always says, ‘I don’t know what I’ve done to do to deserve such a great group of kids.’ I believe that they have just followed in his footsteps. He is kind, gentle and finds a way to be funny all at the same time. It is so sad to see him go, but I know that he is leaving the program behind in great hands with Mr. Rosario,” explained Goelz.
"This program took a lot of hard work and time, in preparation for the evening. “It has been a long journey,” says Lisa Stressler, the VBPA Vice President, “The reality is that it’s been a terrific project that I am very proud to have been a part of. Mr. Pritchett is an amazing person.”
Stressler has been a huge part of the Band Program the past few years. Without hesitation Stressler proudly states what she will miss most about working for the program, “The kids. No doubt about it. I have never been around a more astounding group of kids. They humble me. They’re smart, hard-working, kind, and generous.”
“When I was in band, Mr. Pritchett said, ‘When you do something, do it to the best of your ability.’ I remember it every day. He is one of the most influential people I know and it was a privilege to be taught by him,” stated Katie Martin, a former student from the class of 2010.
Personally, as a current student of Mr. Pritchett, I can say the exact same thing about him. I love knowing that I have a place to go to every single day where I will be treated the same as everyone else.
Senior and Vice President of ‘A’ Band Tyler Wahl commented, “Band is somewhere I can always look forward to going to. It’s a welcoming environment.”
“I love all that I’ve learned and everyone I’ve met over the last four years,” exclaimed ‘A’ Band President Heather Scott. “ I’ll never forget any of it.”
“It’s rare that you encounter such a person that could have as deep and profound an impact as Mr. Pritchett. We’ll miss you dearly.” Josh Abatie, a current student in VHS ‘A’ Band.
The band is just coming off of an incredible 7th place finish at the ISSMA State Concert Band Finals on May 4th, 2013. This is always a crazy time for the band program. The Assistant Director of Bands, Mr. Miguel Rosario says, “This concert is always so much fun. The music is put together so fast because we just finished with our contest season. The band sounded very nice, and it was great to hear a premiere from Derek. Now we are just preparing for things to come and the soft landing for the end of the school year.”