tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682466260563496931.post7211361523929524771..comments2023-12-21T03:26:24.079-05:00Comments on Reformed Trombonist: Lyle M. Smith -- A TributeLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12974887002402743628noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682466260563496931.post-40366953658323960672020-08-06T15:43:19.237-04:002020-08-06T15:43:19.237-04:00I graduated 1962 and will forever remember Lyle Sm...I graduated 1962 and will forever remember Lyle Smith and the WHS Grenadier Band, fondly. I was in Winchester with the band for the Apple Blossom Festival parades the weekend we became the Grenadier Band. Playing in the Friday night parade 'There's Going to Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight' and shouting FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! at the end of each restrain, all done in our ugly old uniforms, we surprised the world (at least a very small part of it) the next day in the big Apple Blossom parade by marching in our brand new Grenadier Uniforms, complete with shak hats and with bagpipes leading, all of us playing a popular British marching tune, and the drum major with an English Walking Stock. It was the grenadier Band bad, right on the streets of Winchester, VA. In a way Smith was a bit strange, definitely unique I would say, as was his Studebaker Golden Hawk (what a car!), but we were definitely NOT ordinary. I liked it that way a lot. We wee exposed and enjoyed playing not onl Anderson's 'Sleigh Ride' at Christmas over and over again, but also Boosey & Hawkes music, such as the opera music "<the 'Merry Wives of Windsor'. We were not only 'in the band', but we had one of the most unique experiences of high school band in the world. And we were very good at sight reading, I recall. It was an education in more ways than one, and I remain grateful for it and Lyle M. Smith. By the way, I played first chair clarinet, until some gal came along and beat me out. Should have practiced more.Terry Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05354709640417245584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682466260563496931.post-86915740646178007072008-10-11T14:37:00.000-04:002008-10-11T14:37:00.000-04:00So well written, Lee. And so true. I loved the ...So well written, Lee. And so true. I loved the band. I loved the marching, the concerts, the rehearsals, the British music and even the sweaty parades in our wool suits, complete with salt tablets for keeping heat exhaustion under control. My social life in high school was the Warwick High School Grenadier Band and Bagpipe Corps. And I loved how Mr. Smith gave us opportunities to play other instruments. I went from clarinet, to alto clarinet, to e-flat clarinet, to viola and even played the fife. I got to wear moleskin on my spit-shined shoes to march in patterns on the sacred gymnasium floor. I cannot to this day watch a marching band without crying, moved by all the memories. Mr. Smith gave so much to us that at the time went unappreciated by the bratty teens we were. I hope he knows how much we appreciate him now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682466260563496931.post-70150146093215816582008-02-16T07:19:00.000-05:002008-02-16T07:19:00.000-05:00Good to hear from you, Kim. I played a few times ...Good to hear from you, Kim. I played a few times as a high school kid with the city band that Mr. Smith conducted, and he was more open and friendly there -- I'm glad I got to see and appreciate that side of him. Speaking of Kincaids, wonder what happened to his grandson, Nick, who was in my year of school ('72) and played euphonium...? Nick had two of the nicest '55 Chevies I've ever seen.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12974887002402743628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4682466260563496931.post-56105516471998090612008-02-14T17:46:00.000-05:002008-02-14T17:46:00.000-05:00I grew up living across the street from the Smiths...I grew up living across the street from the Smiths. His wife was my elementary school principal and his daughter, Mrs. Kincaid, was my private flute teacher. They were very nice people. <BR/>I think the girls' first year band experience had to be different. I remember a lot of slavery, taking cafeteria trays up for the upper classmen band members, and wearing stupid fast food restaurant hats around. We didn't have to do anything terribly embarrassing or painful. <BR/>There were good time in the Grenadier Band and a lot of growing up happened during those years. I think bussing and having to change from an English band to a more traditional high school group did Mr. Smith in. He was there when I graduated in 1973, but not much longer. <BR/>Thanks, Lee, for the memories.<BR/>Kim Vaughan HarrisonThunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00756331368215428307noreply@blogger.com