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EDITOR:
Gold has been discovered again in El Dorado County. And this vein is over a hundred students wide. I found this bonanza at a gold mine … Union Mine High School to be exact.
I’m a retired high school band director and was invited to watch the Union Mine Diamondback Regiment Marching Band rehearse and then offer suggestions. What I heard and saw blew me away.
I watched tiny details being practiced over and over ad infinitum. Drill like this is absolutely necessary for perfection but requires infinite amounts of patience. Did band members become exasperated? No. Instead I saw complete dedication to musical and marching excellence. Rarely have I seen a band work with such teamwork and esprit de corps.
Drum major Andy Sprenkel possesses leadership skills far beyond his years. Band Director Alison Warner is a gifted musician and is precisely the kind of teacher I always wanted for my own children. Her rapport with students is amazing and their returned respect is truly deserved. Ms. Warner is doing a magnificent job of guiding this wonderful band program.
We all hear too much about the faults of the latest generation. If you want to know what that same generation is doing right, catch a performance of this group. Go Union Mine Diamondback Regiment Band. Solid 24 carat gold.
MITCH JONES
Placerville
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