Cuba High School Alumni Band 2012: The beat goes on…

Cuba High School Alumni Band

Last night was the Basketball Homecoming in our small town of Cuba, Missouri. I usually don’t attend these any more, but because many of my ex-students had been writing for weeks on Facebook about their getting together, practicing, and anticipating the performance of their old Pep Band under the direction of retired band director Stan Moore, I decided to go to see them perform. Cuba has a tradition of good music.

There is a musical tradition in Cuba, Missouri.

Home coming was great, the kids were excited about the game, the coronation of Homecoming King & Queen, and the dance later. Having taught in the district for 30 years, before retiring, I noticed a few things that point to the health and well-being of our town of 3200+.

1. Some of the students went away to get an education and have returned to teach in the district. I noticed at least three of them on the floor between games setting up for the coronation. All three had lived in larger cities or worked elsewhere in bigger schools or worked in the corporate world. But they came home to teach. They aren’t the only ones who have returned and have roots in the community. One of the alumni players is the current director of the band. She is Stan Moore’s daughter. The tradition continues. That’s a good thing.

2. Other young people have returned to work in the area and raise their families in Cuba. Some of the same last names were on the programs that were on their 20 years ago. Some moved away for education or jobs, but they have returned. That’s a good thing too. It says that there are opportunities for them, and they want to raise their families here.

3. The Alumni band members are from all walks of life: moms, dads, doctors, law enforcement, sales, teachers, a principal, jobs of all descriptions. But they have been taking their time (some traveling from a distance) to come to Cuba to practice for last night’s performance. They have been practicing at home and with the group. Some have been out of school since the 70s and 80s. But their memories of Cuba and their band director Stan Moore brought them to last night’s performance. They are still good. They still have pride in what their group can do. That’s a good thing.

Last night was just a small slice of our small town pie. But it shows that even tough economic times, good things are still happening in our country even it’s one small town at a time.

The alumni who returned for last night’s performance are talking about keeping their group together, maybe playing at other community events, such as Cuba Fest in October. I hope they do and keep that beat going. It makes a better town.

Here are few slides of the group last night. I wish I had recorded some of their own music to go with them, but this is a long time favorite song of Cuba’s Pep Band. It’s “Hey Baby” by Buckwheat Zydeco.