Band director Kelley’s last UIL competition

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

“What a grand adventure it has been. Thank you so much,” were Copperas Cove High School band director Randy Kelley’s words to his students after the final notes of “Give Us This Day” faded away on Wednesday afternoon, at the close of the varsity band’s afternoon concert performance. It might have been like any other competition, as in past years, but it was Kelley’s last official competition of his music education career that has spanned 31 years, 13 of those years in Copperas Cove. CCHS played host to 11 high schools and 27 bands this week during the UIL Region 8 high school concert band and sight reading competition. The band earned straight 1s in the competition this week, and was the only high school out of all the competing region bands that received a 1, or superior rating, for each of its bands competing during both the concert performances and sight reading portions of the contest. “This contest means that we get to really prove how much effort we’ve put into this band and how much our effort pays off,” said Matthew Oliver, a junior French horn player. “It makes me sad that it is Mr. Kelley’s last year but he’s going out really strong. But I’m happy that he gets to end his career with us.” Taylor Heikell, a sophomore bassoon in the wind ensemble, is going to miss Kelley upon his departure. “I wish Mr. Kelley would be around for my senior year because I just think of him as my grandfather. Mr. Kelley is kind and thoughtful and I will miss him very much next year.” Kelley had fond words for his students during this last competition. “I love this bunch of kids - my band - the Wind Ensemble. They have made my final year one of the best in my career. They have strong musical maturity and today, this band has shown their talent to perform at the highest level of the UIL,” Kelly said. “These are tearful moments. But I look forward to watching the future ‘Pride of Cove’ continue the tradition of excellence. I want to thank everyone that came out today to support not only me but my students in this, our final UIL competition of my career.” Kelley still has plenty of opportunities to continue putting the icing on the cake of his career, such as during the band’s upcoming spring concert. At the March school board meeting, the board voted to approve Andrew Nixon, a 19-year teaching veteran and currently the band director at Cypress Ridge High School northwest of Houston, to take the band director position.