The world lost a great man today. M. Dean Christopher, band director for West Ottawa High School, lost his fight against cancer this morning.
Mr. C. was that band. Over the years he built it from a small mediocre ensemble to one of the best class AA bands in the state. When people joke about going to the football game just to see the band, it wasn't a joke at West Ottawa. More people in that school district owe more to Mr. C. than anyone can ever measure.
You ask anyone that was a part of that band for all 4 years through high school they'll tell you the same thing - Mr. C. was more than just our band director. Sure he taught us about music and performance, but the real lessons we learned as a part of that band can be seen to this day in the achievements and character of so many of us. Mr. C. Demanded our full effort and dedication to all that we did - not because he was mean or because he liked his position of authority, but because he knew that if he set the bar that high we would not only meet those expectations but exceed them. Sure we were all still afraid of him as freshmen, but as we got older we learned to believe in ourselves and our abilities, to trust in each other, and to accomplish things others wouldn't even attempt thanks to his guidance.
In 1998 the West Ottawa Symphony Band earned a Division 1 rating at State Fesitival for the first time in the school's history. Other bands, other directors, would have chosen easy music to ensure a consistent win. Not us. We played one of the most challenging sets of three pieces any band at any level could have chosen, and we played the hell out of them. Our final piece was 14 minutes long, and we came within less than 2 minutes of the overall time limit for performance. By the time we reached the final measure of that final piece, the entire band was in a state of visible strain and exhaustion from the constant intensity of our selections.
But we did it, because Mr. C. made us believe that we could.
After I graduated from high school, I tried to continue on with music. Just like many others in that band, I tried to join other groups and ensembles in college. But by the end of my Sophomore year I realized that it just wasn't the same, and that band just wasn't as much fun without Dean on the podium.
The only people from high school that I still talk to were in that band with me. As an educator, I always read and talk to others about the importance of lifelong learning and lessons outside the classroom. I haven't touched my trumpet in at least 3 or 4 years, but I know that almost every day I'm living a lesson in character, responsibility, leadership or any other number of strengths that I found in myself through that band.
Thank you Mr. Christopher.
