"And the band played on..."
By Kelly Alm/Special to the Rappahannock News
When Matt Yonkey arrived on the scene to be Rappahannock County High School's band director in 2004, there were only 20 students that played in the marching and concert band. But the 26-year-old Pittsburgh native soon changed that. During Yonkey's four-year tutelage, the number of RCHS band members has grown to 50, and additionally, now boasts a full jazz band.
"They’ve observed my enthusiasm and energy, and have fed off of it," Yonkey said of his students. "And they love it [jazz band]."
Junior, Beth Martin, who has played the flute and piccolo for seven years, was in eighth grade when Yonkey started at the high school. "Mr. Yonkey brought so much energy to our band," she said of her first year. "He showed us how much fun you can have while playing music."The marching band meets three times a week at 7:00 a.m., and the jazz and concert band meets from 8:30 to 9:45 five days a week. After tuning their instruments and warming up, the students practice pieces for upcoming performances. Yonkey is currently priming them for the spring concert on May 15.
Yonkey himself began playing the saxophone in high school. After graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory, where he played in the wind and jazz ensembles, he taught band for one year at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School in Woodstock, Va., and taught private lessons in Rappahannock before RCHS offered him a job.
Yonkey draws from the guidance provided to him during his own music education when instructing his students. "I try to have as many tricks in my bag as possible," he said. "So, if something doesn’t work I have a back up in my pocket."
Junior Matt Terry, otherwise known as "Dr. Sticks" for his drum skills, has played percussion and drums for seven years, occasionally picking up the guitar. He said he sometimes struggles with learning how to read different types of music.
"I tell my students—and they usually laugh - that the notes are just your road map, and you need to create the scenery," Yonkey said. "It’s not just about getting through the notes, but about capturing the mood that the piece of music is trying to evoke."
Terry said that Yonkey’s knack for imparting his musical knowledge to students helped him become a better musician. "I have learned how to practice and read music a lot better," he said.
When Yonkey needed a baritone saxophone player for the jazz band last spring, he taught Martin how to play. "You get to show your own style and have fun with the music you are playing," Martin said of playing Bari in the jazz and marching band.
Martin said she is more disciplined and focused than when she started four years ago. As for the band as a whole, Martin said they have developed a routine and become more comfortable playing together. "The band students spend many hours getting their music and marching down right," said Terry’s mom, Angela Bane.
"Perfection through Performance and Pride," is the motto Yonkey has given the band to keep each member’s level of expectation high. The band’s numerous awards are a testament to the time and toil both he and his students have dedicated.
The band recently embarked on a three-day trip to Williamsburg for Fiesta-Val, a music festival for middle and high school instrumental and choral groups. They competed against schools from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine. Each group won first place with a rating of superior in their division, and students won solo and section awards. The band placed first overall, bringing home four plaques and 15 trophies, including the Grand Champion Trophy and the Director’s Award of Distinction. "We won every award possible," Yonkey said.
According to Bane, the band’s hard work not only pays off in trophies, but in students’ pride of knowing that their tireless work has paid off.
The band’s success also owes credit to parents. "The same eight to 10 parents do the majority of the booster work," Yonkey said. "The others that can’t make booster meetings often pitch in when they can. Everyone is very supportive, and wants to make sure the kids have the best possible experience in music."
Both Martin and Terry said that Yonkey’s commitment to his band students extends beyond merely being a good music teacher. "He connects well with the students and is always there when someone needs help with school or life in general," Martin said. Terry added, "He’s always been there for me no matter what the problem was."
Much to the chagrin of his students, Yonkey will officially transfer to Warrenton’s new Kettle Run High School at the end of June. In addition to advising future Kettle Run band students to become fans of Ultimate Frisbee and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Martin reiterated words spoken by Yonkey to the RCHS band at the beginning of each school year, "If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re late, you’re left behind."
Even with his seemingly early departure, four years has given Yonkey enough time to leave behind a very different band than the one he originally encountered at RCHS. "There are students who were 9th graders when I started who are graduating this year," Yonkey said. "It’s a bittersweet moment. I’m happy to see them graduate, but sad they won't be under my direction anymore. You just hope that the lessons you taught them will stay with them for some time--hopefully a long time."