There is a whole lot to unpack in this little, 16-ish minute video. There are oodles of history and giant heaps of nostalgia likely to play heart strings like fiddles, bring tears to eyes and brings great big smiles to faces.
To begin, we see inside Climax-Scotts High School gym, the "old gym" - the gym prior to the mid-90s renovations to its current form. We see directly into the heart of December 1991 and join a band concert already in progress. The performers? Well, that would be the then-6th Grade version of the C-S Class of 1998 under the expert direction of legendary C-S educator, Mrs. Diane Stoddard (now Diane Stoddard-Anderson). In an unapologetically beginning band performance, the audience hears familiar tunes, played from the pages of beginning band technique and instruction books.
Just the scenery alone will bring back many memories, many feelings.
CSDN would like to thank Ashley and Danielle Czuk for providing the original tape, making this portion of the video possible.
Next, we time jump all the way to May 1998. In this VHS conversion from CSDN's personal archives, we see the newly added C-S Cafetorium and join the Spring 1998 Band Concert. This would be the final concert for the Class of 1998. And, being this is a High School Band performance, classes of 1998-2002 are represented as several 8th Graders were called up to "the big leagues."
Though it was not known at the time, this would prove to be the final concert at Climax-Scotts under the direction of Mrs. Stoddard. Truly a moment in time we are so very glad happened to be caught on tape.
Played by a much older group of school kids, now refined musicians thanks to the teachings of Mrs. Stoddard, two pieces are featured here. Among them, "Giving" by composer Stephen Melillo is a stark contrast to 6th Grade's "Aura Lea" from "Band Today, Book 1, Page 6." (Which sounds suspiciously like "Love Me Tender...") An extremely challenging piece, it is a fine example of how Mrs. Stoddard pushed students to be their best and still strive for more. Though some doubted we could do it, Mrs. Stoddard helped us prove to doubters, and even ourselves, that yes, this little band from Climax-Scotts can pull off complex pieces just as good (and often better) than substantially larger schools in the area.
The second piece is included just for fun. The final concert performance of the Class of 1998 was a medley of tunes from the musical "Grease." Keep your eyes open, as there's a whole lot of fun to take in.
The final moment, the last time a longstanding tradition took place, one dating back to some of the Class of 1998's earliest competitions. Mrs. Stoddard was hoisted high upon band members' shoulders and celebrated for her excellence in education and her undying love and devotion to her students.
We hope you enjoy this very special collection of memories from days long gone by.
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