The Bishop Dunne Falcon Marching Band competed in “The Classic” annual marching band contest on October 11, in the DeSoto Stadium in DeSoto, Texas.
Their show: “Three Kings and the Bishop Dunne Band” featured tunes from Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. It was well received by the audience and judges alike, with the band receiving numerous awards in their division, Class A.
The Falcon Marching Band received the award for best in class, outstanding general effect, outstanding marching, outstanding winds, outstanding percussion and outstanding drum major.
In the separate indoor percussion competition, the percussion section received the “Excellent” rating. The band scored well enough to perform in exhibition in the finals competition that evening. It was a great day filled with lots of fun, music, marching, and fellowship.
New Band Director Feels Blessed – and Ready to Soar
Daniel Ryan Harrelson is in his first year as director of bands at Bishop Dunne. He grew up in a town so small few people have hear of it: Warren, Arkansas. “When I came to interview, the Dean of Academics, Mr. Root, said he knew some people from Warren. I couldn’t believe it! It made me feel right at home – it was like a sign that this was the place for me.”
Harrelson proudly shares that he is a graduate of Warren High School and Arkansas State University, home of the Red Wolves, the three-times-in-a-row Sunbelt Conference Champions and two years-straight GoDaddy.com Bowl Champions. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's degree in Music Performance - Conducting.
“I took four-and-a-half years in between to teach,” he said “and found myself wearing a lot of hats. I was the high school band director, a choir director, a math and reading teacher and a musician in a bunch of different ensembles outside of school.”
His free period “off” of work he spent driving from one school to another. He worked in the El Dorado school district before the Carlisle school district, and was on the go constantly.
Then, explained Harrelson, “One of my former professors said, ‘How would you like to earn your Master’s degree in music while working as a teaching assistant?’ That was a no-brainer for me.”
While at ASU, Mr. Harrelson had the chance to prepare and conduct ensembles on the International, regional,and local levels.
A trombone player since he was 12, he can play all brass instruments and is also an accomplished baritone, so has often been in and directed choirs.
During his second year in the Master’s program, intent on having a job in one place – not multiple schools – he saw Bishop Dunne’s Band Director position posted online. It was in September of last year, and so early that he was curious. Former Band Director Bill Rhyan announced the year before that he would be retiring in 2014, giving Dunne plenty of time to find the right person for the position.
“I was intrigued when I read that there were different bands, as well as choir and orchestra here,” says Harrelson. “And I thought I might like to move out of Arkansas and into the big city.”
His interview in the spring confirmed his first inkling that this was where he wanted to be. “Everyone was so very friendly, and the students, the parents, the faculty and staff have been terrific!” He found the school campus beautiful, the band hall well maintained and “the attention to detail all over the grounds is amazing. This place is the total package!” he declares.
He got the job and almost immediately began to get offers back in Arkansas. “It was interesting, all these people coming out of the woodwork, trying to get me to change my mind and stay,” he laughs. But he finished his Master’s degree and packed up his home and moved with his wife, Paula (P.J.), 8-year-old son David, and 3-year-old daughter Danica, to an apartment in Arlington. His son attends Key Elementary and his daughter is attending the Bishop Dunne daycare for children of teachers and staff.
Meanwhile, he’s busy teaching dozens of musicians at all different levels in multiple bands: Band Fundamentals, Beginner Band, Intermediate Band, and Music Theory – not to mention Marching Band, with 35 movable parts.
“I loved our first home game of the year!” he exclaims. “The energy, the fans, the big win! Our band was exhausted having to play the fight song over and over!” he laughed, noting the 51-0 score was fun to watch. “The band students went home exhausted – but happy!”
He’s also a big fan of the new on-line music program Bishop Dunne has purchased, allowing students to read music on their computer and play along with the music, all the while being recorded – and graded – automatically. “I listen to every student’s homework, sometimes taking up to four hours at night, so I can make suggestions to them in class how to play better,” he says.
The SmartMusic program can grade a student so each individual can see his or her performance grade and try again. “I didn’t have this for every student at my last few schools,” Harrelson says, “It’s basically like their textbook – and is a great benefit to the students, parents, and myself, the teacher.”
Up at the crack of dawn, he has early morning marching band practice two days a week, and often commutes to work with his wife, P.J. who works with Chef Cameron Burkhardt in the school cafeteria. “She’s working on becoming a registered dietician one day, and is looking forward to making menus and helping people afflicted with dietary disorders; especially children” Harrelson says. “We feel blessed that she’s also working here, and with such a nice group of cafeteria workers.”
The two met through mutual friends and were married three months later. “A lot like my parents,”Harrelson says, “They met and married five months later. They are an inspiration, having been married for 34 years already!”
Harrelson is also inspired by his co-workers in the music department, observing that Mr. Robert Fajardo’s expertise in percussion instruments and hisprofessionalism with his work make him proud to be working here. And Julia Gray-Lion’s infectious enthusiasm is a joy and inspiration to be around. “We have twenty sixth graders in beginning winds and six beginning percussionists – that’s amazing. This success is due to such great cooperation and love for the students from the music faculty,” he says.
There’s more work ahead for all three music teachers as concerts are scheduled for the fall and next semester. “We’d like to play for the November 2 Open House, and again in December at our Christmas Concert,” Harrelson said. More concerts in the spring will be planned if the students have time. That might sound like a lot, but Harrelson says that he wants to challenge the students to learning to play lots of music, adding “It’s not just the same few songs over and over again.”
A member of the Marching Band of Arkansas State University, he has fond memories of many of the football half times he played in, including the surprise victory over Memphis one year when a Hail Mary pass was tossed into a crowd in the end zone and an Arkansas State player caught it. Dallas fans are familiar with another “Hail Mary” pass in their history, but being on the losing end. He felt blessed to be there for the exciting game, and feels even more blessed by this opportunity to work at what he loves here at Bishop Dunne. He’s bringing that positive, grateful energy to the Falcon bands.
Harrelson hung some signs in the band room which read: “In tone, in tune, in time, in touch,” and explains: “You have to have the right tone first to be in tune, and being in tune is more important than being in time. If you get those three right, then you can really touch hearts with your music.”
This Arkansas State Red Wolf is ready to fly as a Bishop Dunne Falcon, and change hearts – and lives – with music.
"Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!" Psalm 150:1-6
Information provided by Judy Porter.