PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, AUGUST 24, 2018 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM MHS alum returns as Celts’ band director Nelson knew he wanted to be By DEREK WILEY a teacher. Of the Keizertimes “I remember vaguely kind When Chris Nelson walked into the McNary band room of imagining wouldn’t it be for the fi rst time in more than cool to be the band director a dozen years, hundreds of here but it was nothing more memories rushed through his than a day dream,” Nelson said. Nelson earned a bachelor head. “It is literally a trip down of music in instrumental mu- memory lane,” said Nelson, sic education from Brigham McNary’s new band director. “I Young University and master imagine at some point I’ll get of arts in music performance with an emphasis past that and it will in conduction from be where I live and Washington State. where I work but After college, he when I go to the became the band high school, I just director of Timpa- picture it how I re- nogos High School member it.” in Orem, Utah. Nelson began Nelson started the playing in the per- program with 50- cussion section as 60 kids and grew a 12-year-old at it to 80-90 in three Whiteaker. years. He picked per- Chris Nelson “The band pro- cussion because gram was pretty of its versatility. Instead of being stuck to one small and the goal was to grow instrument, he could play bass it and try to get more kids in drum, snare drum or even bells. the group,” Nelson said. “What In high school at McNary, he I’m really proud of is we grew fell in love with mallet pitched in terms of quality.” His ensembles were con- instruments like the xylophone. “You could play melodies sistently recognized for their and tunes instead of just play- quality with superior ratings ing a beat on a drum,” said at concert band, jazz band, and Nelson, who along with being solo and ensemble festivals. The in the marching band and jazz Timpanogos marching band band, was also part of McNary’s was recognized with numerous competitive indoor drumline. fi rst place fi nishes and caption “If it was in band, I tried to do awards in their division, and it. I was all in on band in high was named Utah’s 2016 Divi- sion 1A State Champion. Dur- school.” By his senior year (2005), ing his time at Timpanogos, wedding Kid-centered at the Kroc Nelson served on the School Community Council, and re- ceived numerous grants to de- velop curriculum and materials as a member of the Orem City Band Directors collaborative group. Nelson had not planned on leaving. “We liked what we had there,” he said. “We were really happy. But when this job came open I had several people push me to take a serious look at it.” Nelson’s parents still live in Keizer and his in-laws are in Ti- gard. Nelson and his wife have three small kids, ages 5, 3 and 1. “When they made the job offer, we didn’t have to think about it too long,” Nelson said. While Nelson is open to bringing back the competitive drumline, he’s not looking to make any immediate changes. “McNary is already a very successful band program so there’s no reason to go in guns blazing and changing every- thing,” Nelson said. “That’s not my goal. I want to come in and see what’s making us successful. We’re just going to continue delivering high quality music.” He also wants to hear from students and parents. “We could do more com- petitive stuff in the future if there’s a demand for it,” Nelson said. “It’s really time consuming and cost a lot of money. If the students and the community, if that’s something they want to push for then I’m all for it. I don’t want to push them unless they want to.” Nelson wants to continue the McNary tradition of serv- ing the community. “I don’t apologize for hold- ing them to a high standard but I also hold myself respon- sible for teaching them how to achieve that standard,” Nelson said. “I like to build personal relationships with students. I want them to feel like when they come to band that there are going to be diffi cult things expected of them but they are going to have all the tools to achieve those diffi cult things.” Along with teaching, Nelson has also played professionally with the Utah Wind Symphony and the Utah Premiere Brass, a British style brass band. “I love playing and I think it’s important for music teach- ers to play and perform so I’ll be looking for opportunities and groups to play with,” Nel- son said. On August 18, 200 kids and their families from through- out Marion and Polk counties gathered in the Kroc Center in Salem for the Salvation Ar- my’s All About Kids event. The event distributed school sup- plies, new clothes, and hair- cuts to underprivileged fami- lies from the area, a third of whom were from Keizer. The Salvation Army also arranged brunch, music and outdoor activities for the young people and their families. KEIZERTIMES/Casey Chaffi n puzzle answers Submitted Sarra Louise Sparks and Shane Michael Beach, of Keizer, were married on June 18, 2018, in Las Vegas at the Wynn Resort. ASK MR. TRASH Q. I heard about China’s ban on recycling. What IS recyclable now? A. Be very careful to only recycle the things on your hauler’s approved list. 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