by Elizabeth Farina, Midlothian Exchange.com

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The nightly news broadcasts the expanding violence brewing in Pakistan, U.S. citizens march in protest against having troops deployed to fight a war, and concerns of a looming oil crisis appears on the horizon. Although it sounds like this week’s news, the events unfolded over 30 years ago when Jim Stegner took his first position at Falls Church High School in Fairfax.

However, after 37 years, and three high schools later, the James River High School band director has seen a world of change for his students. “When I first started teaching school it was band and a job. Now, it was not as nearly competitive with all these extra curricular activities, sports and beta club. It’s good, but there is a stretch to the commitment,” Stegner noted. “It doesn’t mean they’re any worse for their time, I just have to be cognizant that I’m only part of their time.”

The students’ commitment, especially in the marching band, is apparent on the field. “What they do on the field, it’s highly academic and a physical thing. You have an instrument, you’re in uniform … you have to stay playing in tune and staying in step – having 160-plus kids doing that at the same time leaves a million variables,” he said.

Even with the million variables of all that could go wrong, the JRHS Regiment continues to march in the right direction bringing home superior ratings and earning the Commonwealth Virginia Honor Band Awards with two other local schools in the 2006-2007 season (link to the VBODA online at http://www.vboda.org/). “They’re competitive and appreciate what the other guys are doing…with my kids…the superior rating is the most important thing. I know we’re on the right track when it’s not about the other bands. It’s the standard we make,” he said.

It’s not just the dedication of the band members that have made his career experience remarkable. Stegner attributes success of the program to the support he’s received from Principal John Titus, Rapids’ faculty, staff, parents and former students. “I’ve been at four great high schools. This has been a wonderful situation with great faculty, terrific administration, great kids, great parents and a fantastic community,” Stegner said.

“The band boosters here are phenomenal. You don’t recognize what they do for you…the instruments, transportation…the Purple Pit Crew,” Stegner said.

Yet, Stegner looks to the students as a measure of success. He was making $8,000 a year with a masters’ in his first year of teaching, following the footsteps of a charismatic legend, when he took the helm. Stegner buckled down with determination to bring the talent together under a level of discipline. The results began to pay off with awards. “We had never won before and the discipline put us on track. Now one [student] is the head of Winds & Percussion at Boston University, another is a pro in LA, who recorded on Spider Man III,” he said.

Stegner is firm in setting expectations for the band. Band members know that it’s all about being committed to the team, delivering top-notch performance, and being on time. He joked that some parents call it ‘Stegner time’ because arriving at the start time means you’re late. However, Stegner notes that the rules go beyond the music.  “I don’t think I teach band, I teach life skills,” he said.

At the close of the year, Stegner will look at a summer of not worrying if the band will be ready in the fall after August camp. It’s a bittersweet feeling leaving behind a career in education that he’s served for half of his life. “You almost feel like you’re not working…you love it so much. Every day is a good day. Some are just better than others … you have to keep that in perspective. I just got great kids. You take 160 great kids, you can do great things. The real work goes on in the other part of the building, and that stems from the top,” he said. “It’s been a blast.”