At 83 years of age, he really does not look all the different than he did when I first met him back in the 1970's as a sixth grader. Yes....my elementary school started band in sixth grade, though some got to start in fifth grade, and I was a very eager learner. I wanted to play sax, but he needed more clarinets at the time and he said I could easily switch later. I never did :) While I learned music theory, music skills and counting under his tenure as a director, more importantly, I learned confidence and I learned that I should never give up and that I should practice until my skills were honed to perfection (or pretty close) . He had high standards...and pushed us individually and as a group to be our best. First chair was my goal and I fought to earn it. I practiced a LOT, attended a lot of festivals and even earned numerous medals for individual and small group performances at competitions in addition to attending all district band a few times. One of the highest honors I got, was a scholarship to attend a honor band at the University of Georgia one summer to hone my skills along with a few other LHS students. Mr. Lamborn had chosen ME as a top student. I was honored and humbled to get to attend. At one point, I even auditioned for a college scholarship in clarinet....and was offered an opportunity to pursue that, and I am certain that it was because of the love of music and the skills HE taught me. However, I chose to pursue an academic scholarship and go into early childhood/elementary education instead.....not so far from what he did, but a bit more marketable degree for a single (at that time) young lady :) I still found that music worked its way into a LOT of my classroom ventures though!! And still, to this day, I teach private music lessons.
He had very structured classroom procedures (but with 150+ kids in a class..you HAVE to) and I liked it then (deep down inside--LOL!) and I like it now...so much so, that I use many of the same concepts in my own classroom teaching.
He had SUCH an impact on so many..such a kind heart...giving to those who needed (but doing so in a way that no one knew..just NOW the stories are pouring out)....giving encouragement to students who except for band probably would not have finished school...giving a place to ALL students...in band it did not matter if you were rich or poor, black or white, straight A's or a struggling student..EVERYONE was important!! We all worked together :)
This article is a nice one...and long overdue...however.....he did serve 28 years (not 23 as it states)...for a total of about 30 years in public education! What a difference he made during this time!!! Teachers, be encouraged! You CAN and DO make a difference!!!!!
This article (below) appeared in the Sunday, May 22 Chattanooga, TN paper. Enjoy!
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/may/22/lafayette-band-director-has-earned-enduring-respec/
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