Wildcat Band show 2020

The Wildcat Band hosted a special concert last week at Wildcat Stadium. As they closed out the marching season, they found a way to honor a revered leader of the past and encourage talented musicians of the future.

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The pandemic kept the group from hosting summer practices and entering UIL competitions, so they shared their halftime show with a small number of family and friends. Next month is the official kickoff of “beginner band,” with sixth graders across Richardson ISD traveling to the junior highs to participate in twice-weekly band or orchestra lessons and practices after school. Current band leaders, including graduating seniors, say the organization cannot continue its storied tradition and winning ways without recruiting young musicians from the elementary school ranks. The performance was dedicated to Eddie Green, LHHS’ beloved Director of Bands from 1962 to 1976, who died in July.

In a tribute to Green posted to the Lake Highlands Band Alumni Facebook page, LHHS 1971 graduate Jim Klein shared that Green “still looms as a large figure in my life, on par with a parent, a spouse or a lifelong best friend. At a time when things were not going well in my family life, he gave me a direction that led to a job and a career.” Klein went on to teach music in college, working closely with high school band directors.

“It is hard to wonder what life would have been like if I had not had Eddie in it. All I can do now is remember what a dramatic effect he had on me and so many others -students, parents, teachers, administrators – an entire profession. He demonstrated what it was to truly be ‘State of the Art.’ And we will always get the privilege to know him as our band director and friend.”

You can learn more about signing your child up for band and orchestra here.

Last week’s show at Wildcat Stadium opened with Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” and included songs as diverse as “Savage Love” by Jason Derulo and “Championship,” which the band plays each Friday night after the 1st and 3rd quarters. You can hear Toccata, as directed by Eddie Green, below.