Lisa Nicolay, Colton’s Band Director, smiles wistfully as she remembers growing up a musician. “I have always wanted to play music my entire life,” she relates, amidst the chaos and scurrying of band members tooting horns and putting away instruments at the end of another busy day.
Nicolay took over as band director several years ago when former director Dr. Luis Gonzalez decided to step down after a long, award filled career in the band room. Filling such large shoes may have been daunting to some, but Nicolay hit the ground running, keeping alive the string of award winning performances the band has been known for in the past twenty years. The word is out: when Colton’s band shows up, the trophy hardware is coming home to Valley Boulevard. Recently the band won first place at the Fontana High Competition, and a Sweepstakes Trophy at the Barstow High Desert Field Show Event.
The band (and its director) spend countless hours honing their craft, and it shows. “My group spends many hours of extra practice and they are proud of their accomplishments,” Nicolay says.
As a classical music lover, she loves to play French horn (her favorite instrument) but also notes that “the easiest instrument to play is the one you want to play.”
Nicolay, who holds a Ph.D (perhaps we should be referring to her as Doctor?) loves teaching at Colton and it shows. She has a great rapport with her students and they respond much like a sports team would to a beloved coach. She is certainly proud of their hard work and the many achievements the band has had. But awards and trophies aren’t the whole picture. “The awards are great, but spending each day with the musicians of CHS is what keeps me going.”
Not one to rest of her laurels, Nicolay and the band always has something exciting on their calendar. In November, the band will be playing with the UCLA marching band in the Rose Bowl.
Nicolay can be seen every day, staying late after school, practicing with the band, giving suggestions, cajoling, getting that extra ounce of sweat out of band members that it takes to stay on top, her beloved red Jaguar parked just outside the back door to the music wing. Several days a week she can be seen enthusiastically leading the marching band as it circles around the campus after school in their practice runs, the members all in sync as they march with Colton Pride.
“Teaching in Colton has truly been an awesome experience,” she says with a smile, and we certainly can agree.
