Dr. Luis Gonzalez, Colton’s award winning band director, is stepping down from the position after sixteen years. The Pepper Bough visited with Dr. G recently and he commented on his tenure with the band.
What drove you to switch subjects after years of directing the band?
Its time, every individual gets to the point where he thinks about health, well being and retirement, it’s my move towards that direction.
Give me a rundown of all the awards you and the band have won:
- 300 awards (Trophies, located throughout campus)
- 131 tournament “Sweepstakes” Awards for Marching Band Competitions
- 15 straight years of “Superior ” ratings for Concert Band Festivals
- 16 CD Recordings of all Concert and Jazz Band work – Historical Document
Why did you choose music to begin with?
Influenced by my high school band teacher. He was a man who loved his job, music, and his students. He took us places, helped us to excel, and gave us inspiration for the future. I try to do that with my own students.
What do you want to tell your former students now that your leaving?
Keep moving forward, set goals, learn all you can, be ruthless with time, and gracious to people. Find your place in the world, and excel at it.
What class are you teaching now, is it something you’ve always wanted to do?
I’m not sure exactly what I’ll be teaching, but it might be some sort of history course.
Who’s taking your place?
They’ll start interviewing this month, and that’s good because perhaps each of the candidates will meet the students and parents before the years over.
What are your favorite memories?
- Recording our 16th CD this year “Antithigram”
- 15th superior rating in the Barstow in April “Concert Band Fest”
- 131 Tournament wins
What will you miss most?
More than anything I feel good about what we’ve accomplished its simply time to move on to another chapter in my life.
Other facts and comments…
- Of course I’ll miss the kids, but my heart and thoughts are with them forever.
- In the 16 years I’ve been at Colton I’ve graduated 3,000 kids
- I often get cards and letters from many of them talking about school, life, marriages, children, jobs, or just to say high.
