West Rusk Marching To Glory
Cindy Mallette
The band at West Rusk High School made history a few weeks ago. For the first time in 18 years, the kids earned First Division ratings at the regional marching competition held annually at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Scores of bands across East Texas participate in the event, and an overwhelming number earn the top rating every year. But that isn't meant to downplay the success of West Rusk's band, which marked the once-top rated band's comeback after an 18-year mar-ching slump.
In the 1930s, the West Rusk marching band was considered the best in the area. In the 1960s, when high school bands started competing at state-level marching competitions, West Rusk was one of the first to earn its way up to that point.
But in the past two decades, for whatever reasons may be, the band has earned nothing better than a Third Division rating.
Then, three years ago, Bill Waltemath joined the high school staff as band director. The tides turned.
Waltemath doesn't want the credit; when asked what he did to bring the back the band's reputation for precision marching, he says, "Nothing."
That's not true, and I'm about to reveal his secret: He makes his students believe they can win by believing in his students.
When I was in high school band, getting ready for marching competition was brutal - if we missed a step, we ran laps. Missed a turn, we ran laps. Missed a note ... you get the picture.
In Bill Waltemath's band, the students weren't threatened with physical punishment if they didn't have their notes and steps down in perfect military order.
Rather, from the very beginning of marching season, they were told they could earn a First Division rating if they worked hard and believed they could do it. He didn't coddle them - he just helped them see their own potential.
"The difference is, Mr. Waltemath is so motivational," said junior Jessica Stout, a co-drum major for the band.
"He drills us hard, but we know it's worth it," added Brittany Wooley, also a junior and co-drum major.
Waltemath himself says the students deserve the credit for their victory.
"The kids told me they wanted to win, that they wanted that reputation back," he said. "All of them came together and re-established the tradition of West Rusk."
The band started out rough, he admits. At the halftime show during the West Rusk/Overton football game, the band collapsed on the field.
But Waltemath said the drum majors and upperclassmen worked with the underclassmen to iron out the weak spots.
"It made a massive difference," he said, adding that the drum majors overcame the extra hurdle of earning their peers' respect. "They made it look easy. The girls have done phenomenal."
One week after the band came home from the competition, Waltemath, Miss Stout and Miss Wooley were still in shock over the First Division rating. When Waltemath recalled the moment the band's score echoed out over the stadium loudspeakers, he teared up.
"People for a long time have wanted to see the West Rusk tradition come back," he said.
It is back.
Scores of bands across East Texas participate in the event, and an overwhelming number earn the top rating every year. But that isn't meant to downplay the success of West Rusk's band, which marked the once-top rated band's comeback after an 18-year mar-ching slump.
In the 1930s, the West Rusk marching band was considered the best in the area. In the 1960s, when high school bands started competing at state-level marching competitions, West Rusk was one of the first to earn its way up to that point.
But in the past two decades, for whatever reasons may be, the band has earned nothing better than a Third Division rating.
Then, three years ago, Bill Waltemath joined the high school staff as band director. The tides turned.
Waltemath doesn't want the credit; when asked what he did to bring the back the band's reputation for precision marching, he says, "Nothing."
That's not true, and I'm about to reveal his secret: He makes his students believe they can win by believing in his students.
When I was in high school band, getting ready for marching competition was brutal - if we missed a step, we ran laps. Missed a turn, we ran laps. Missed a note ... you get the picture.
In Bill Waltemath's band, the students weren't threatened with physical punishment if they didn't have their notes and steps down in perfect military order.
Rather, from the very beginning of marching season, they were told they could earn a First Division rating if they worked hard and believed they could do it. He didn't coddle them - he just helped them see their own potential.
"The difference is, Mr. Waltemath is so motivational," said junior Jessica Stout, a co-drum major for the band.
"He drills us hard, but we know it's worth it," added Brittany Wooley, also a junior and co-drum major.
Waltemath himself says the students deserve the credit for their victory.
"The kids told me they wanted to win, that they wanted that reputation back," he said. "All of them came together and re-established the tradition of West Rusk."
The band started out rough, he admits. At the halftime show during the West Rusk/Overton football game, the band collapsed on the field.
But Waltemath said the drum majors and upperclassmen worked with the underclassmen to iron out the weak spots.
"It made a massive difference," he said, adding that the drum majors overcame the extra hurdle of earning their peers' respect. "They made it look easy. The girls have done phenomenal."
One week after the band came home from the competition, Waltemath, Miss Stout and Miss Wooley were still in shock over the First Division rating. When Waltemath recalled the moment the band's score echoed out over the stadium loudspeakers, he teared up.
"People for a long time have wanted to see the West Rusk tradition come back," he said.
It is back.
FAQ
Search Forums
Log in
Register
