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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.053 2008-2010From: Clayton A. de Leon [mailto:cdeleon @ alumni.usc.edu] Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 9:48 PM To: cdeleon @alumni.usc.edu Subject: How the Hawaii County Band Changes Lives How the Hawaii County Band Shaped My Life For this little story about how the Hawaii County Band helped me to live my life, there are thousands of others that have not been told, verbalized or shared. Growing up in Hilo, I have memories of the Hawaii County Band performing at events, at Mo'oheau Park and during parades. I remember Andy Baclig Sr., and his relentless leadership of the band. The music the band has shared over my lifetime has influenced me in many ways, as they have influenced so many others. I recall just a few of the names that have influenced the lives of many Big Islanders. Names like Baclig, Camarillo, Agasa, Skaggs, Leite, Maesaka, Springer, and a host of others whom have touched the lives of so many on the Big Island, and beyond. In the 1995, while living in Hilo, after listening to the band and talking to friends and family, I decided I wanted to be a musician in the University of Southern California (USC) Trojan Marching Band. I had never played a wind instrument in my life. I was a graduate of USC, so I had an idea how to audition for the band, but had a major road block, not knowing how to play an instrument. So I cast out my net, to investigate how I might be able to accomplish this goal. I went on Mynah Bird's Trading Post radio show and related that I needed a saxophone. It worked, and I purchased one. Then I went to Agasa Music Store, and asked the sales team how I might go about learning how to play the saxophone. I quickly received the information I inquired about. They also sold me another saxophone (but that's a story for another time). The Agasas (whom have a long history with the band), suggested a band member, Corey Maesaka may be able to give me music instructions. I did take lessons, for a few months, after which I was off to the mainland. During the intervening time, I also attended the band's performances and took in concerts suggested to me by Mr. Maesaka. I learned quickly, and practiced endlessly. As a side note, I was doing all of these things as an adult, not a youngster, not by a long shot I had already graduated college and been in the work world for many years. What happened for me that magical summer, is; I combined the lessons from Mr. Maesaka, the influences of the Agasas, and a lifetime of listening to the Hawaii County band, and channeled that energy toward learning to play the saxophone and auditioning for the USC Trojan Marching Band. On very short order. COMM. No I 1 (• 53 Ref. To: Ref. Dote MAR 2 2 2010 After a lifetime of knowing the beauty of music, inspired by the Hawaii County Band and it's members, then in less than 6 months, I learned to play the saxophone and was successfully accepted to the USC Trojan Marching Band. I performed with this band for 3 years. I traveled to the University of Notre Dame twice (Indiana and Chicago), played in the Rose Bowl Parade, played in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, performed at the Rose Bowl game, Arizona Sun Devil Stadium, Oakland Coliseum, Stanford Stadium and various venues throughout California. All of this because I had a song on my heart, bred into me by the sounds of Mr. Andy Baclig Sr., those that followed him, and those whom I have enjoyed over the years. If this experience was not enough, I parlayed my time with the band into 10 years of working for USC in various capacities, culminating with the last two years of working with the football team, reporting about the players and legendary football coach, Pete Carroll. This was my dream. It was a dream come true and it was because of the Hawaii County Band. I can assure anyone, that my tiny little story has been experienced by thousands of others, and more than likely, in much bigger ways. Music is life, killing the music is killing life. The Hawaii County Band must live on. It has been building and influencing lives for 127 years. It should not be stopped by a stroke of a pen, or by an oversight of those who made this tragic decision. There are thousands of lives still to be influenced by the band, it would be a grievous error to deny the future. Step up to the challenge, Mr. Mayor and Councilpersons of Hawaii. Keep your eyes open. Keep the music alive. Find another way to distribute county funds. Thank -you in advance, on behalf of the citizens of the Big Island - past, present and future. Clayton A. de Leon cdeleon@alumni.usc.edu RSVP requested.