Band Program Off to a Solid Start

The Lindsey Wilson Concert Band made its debut Dec. 4 with a concert in V.P. Henry Auditorium.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Few people know more than what it takes to form an outstanding marching band than Tim Allen. That's why he was the perfect choice to create Lindsey Wilson College's band program.

Allen was the architect of Adair County High School's nationally award-winning marching band. During his 27 years as director of the school's marching band, it won 18 state titles -- the most in Kentucky -- and two national titles. The band also was invited to march in the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Allen led its march through Manhattan.

"It is definitely a dream that I thought probably would never happen," Allen said of the opportunity to lead a marching band in what is arguably the world's most famous parade. "To realize it is very special indeed."

The fall semester has been a busy one for Allen at LWC. The pep band made its debut at the college's basketball games, and on Dec. 4 the Lindsey Wilson Concert Band gave its inaugural winter concert in V.P. Henry Auditorium.

The concert included holiday musical selections performed by the band, along with two works performed by the Lindsey Wilson Singers, under the direction of Gerald L. Chafin.

"I was really pleased with our first, official, public concert here at Lindsey Wilson College," said Allen, who is LWC director of instrumental ensembles. "The students performed quite well, and were well received by the large audience in attendance."

In fall 2010, the LWC Blue Raider Marching Band will take the field for the first time in college history. New marching band uniforms have been ordered, and excitement is building as the first football game in 75 years approaches -- Sept. 4, 2010.

"We're off to a great start," Allen said. "All the fine folks here -- from administration, faculty, admissions, technology and maintenance -- have really gone out of their way to help the band program get off to a great start. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Lindsey Wilson College family."

When Allen arrived at Adair County in 1981, the high school's band had 42 members. When he retired at the end of the 2008-09 school year, the band's roster had 89 students.

Although Adair County is now regarded as having one of the best high school bands in the country, the success didn't come overnight. And although success on the collegiate level is defined in different terms, it will also take time to build a band program at LWC.

"It's going to take awhile," Allen said. "It's not going to happen all at once. We're starting this from the ground up and it's going to be very nice, but it's going to take time."

And Allen knows a thing or two about what is required to assemble an outstanding collegiate band program. Allen was an undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee, where he was a member of that school's legendary marching band.

"A marching band makes a college event's atmosphere so special," he said. "You can take any event and take music away from it, and it's not nearly as enjoyable. Music creates a special feeling for events."

Allen hopes to double the number of students in band for the 2010-11 school year; he hopes the band will have 80-100 members by the five-year mark.

The addition of a bachelor of arts degree in fine arts administration has buttressed Allen's efforts to recruit students for LWC's nascent band program. He hopes the college can eventually add a full-fledged music program

"It's going to be slow-going at first," he said. "But certainly my experience at the University of Tennessee with my band experience there has helped me. … I want to make it a serious event for the students, but I also want it to be a lot of fun for them as well."

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