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By Carey King
Smoky Mountain High School band members may have had tough times
over the past year, but they're working their way back up the
scale and plan to hit some high notes in the near future.
Director Eric Mrozkowski, appointed to the post after four band
leaders left SMHS in as many years, has adopted the strategy of
being "positive and consistent" for students.
"Feel good and feel responsible for this success and this
season," he told band members during a recent concert practice.
Though the band "lost a lot of upperclassmen last year because
of so many changes and negativity," Mrozkowski said, this
year's band members appreciate their director's positive push.
Members
of Smoky Mountain High School's Wind Ensemble practice a jazz
piece for their joint performance with the SMHS concert band this
Friday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in Western Carolina University's Coulter
Building. On the floor, center, giving a thumbs-up sign, is the
band's director, Eric Mrozkowski. The concert program will include
"Pink Panther" (Mancini), "On Broadway" (Higgins), "Overture on
a Shaker Tune" (Higgins) and "Brandon Bay" (Huckebee). The performance
will conclude with "It Don't Mean a Thing" (Ellington/Strayhorn),
"A Lantern in the Window" (Sheldon), "Salvation is Created" (Erickson)
and "Firecreek Legacy" (Hillard).
"I'm really proud of what we've come from.
It's the best year I've ever had. We're learning; we do theory.
It opens us up to appreciate all different areas of music. It's
amazing to be affiliated with this band," said junior Andrea
Townsend, a flute player.
"I've had seven directors since sixth grade, and that was
really hard," added sophomore Sarah Fann. "This year
has been awesome. We've made a lot of improvement."
Proof of growth this fall is the fact the marching band took home
top awards from the Pisgah Bear Tournament of Bands and the Carolina
Classic band competition. The band also performed an exhibition
at the Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions.
Parents, too, see the effects of Mrozkowski's positive strategy.
"He brought a spirit to this school. He's really doing this
job out of love," said Peter Cavallero, whose son is a freshman
tenor sax and flute player.
Mrozkowski, a Cullowhee native and WCU graduate, came to SMHS
after playing percussion in a variety of bands, from blues to
jazz to rock.
"This guy is the best drummer I've heard in 30 years. He
should have a hit album by now," said parent Cavallero.
Mrozkowski began teaching at the high school seven years ago,
first as a percussion instructor and then as assistant director.
He became director in the middle of the 2002-2003 school year.
"It was hard to put (performing) on the shelf," Mrozkowski
said. "But these kids give me gifts on a daily basis. They
make my hair stand up every day. That's what Bob and I thrive
on."
Assistant director Bob Reid, a 21-year SMHS veteran, has teamed
up with Mrozkowski to work on the second part of the band's improvement
strategy - consistency.
Mrozkowski and Reid direct Jackson County's four middle school
bands in addition to leading the SMHS program. It is in those
early grades they plan to sow seeds for future growth.
"We're really emphasizing the middle school feeder program.
We're going to the (school) board, to parents.
We need to get a consistent band program going in the middle schools,"
Mrozkowski said.
Currently, Mrozkowski spends part of his day teaching at Fairview
and Cullowhee Valley, while Reid directs the bands at Smokey Mountain
and Scotts Creek.
"Some (of these programs) meet before school for 15 minutes,
some meet in the cafeteria, and they all meet in an activity period"
which means band is cancelled if any other special event is going
on, Mrozkowski said.
"We talk about ‘No Child Left Behind,' but there are
children being left behind in their art and music," said
Mrozkowski.
Members of the band's booster club are currently working with
Mrozkowski on a grant to hire a band director to work specifically
with sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students.
"It's a new priority. It's got to move its way up. I'm not
at all discouraged about the time it's going to take," Mrozkowski
said.
SMHS Assistant Principal Jay Grissom has taken notice of the band
directors' efforts.
"It's my first year here and I've been really impressed.
Mr. Mrozkowski and Mr. Reid really try to get the band involved
with as many activities as possible to show off the students'
talents," Grissom said.
The band's progress will be on display when the SMHS Concert Band
and Wind Ensemble play this Friday, Nov. 14, in WCU's Coulter
Building. Starting at 7 p.m., the band will perform a variety
of music - from classical to contemporary, jazz to pop.
The band is also reaching out to the community through its annual
fund-raising sale of oranges and grapefruits.
"You know how people usually don't want to do fund-raisers,"
said band member Townsend. "But we all really want to do
this. If others in the community see us working hard, they'll
work with us."
Mrozkowski echoes that sentiment. When asked what way Jackson
County residents can best support the school's music program,
he has some very concrete ideas.
"Support our fund-raiser, attend our concerts and hear our
wonderful music. If you have a student in any school, talk to
the administrators about improving the time and space devoted
to the band," he said.
In addition, Mrozkowski always welcomes donations of instruments
and stereos that he can refurbish for students' use.
The patched-up instruments SMHS uses may not be perfect, says
parent and booster Cavallero, but band members are working towards
greater goals.
"Some high school bands have tractor-trailers full of instruments
that they cart around to competitions," he said. "We
don't have that. But you know what's important? It's that we've
healed ourselves."
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