It was an opportunity for Richard Lowry to leave the education
field the way he came in.
Lowry began his career at San Benito High School as the band
director, a position he held from 1970 to 1978. In celebration of
his retirement in February as superintendent of the San Benito High
School District, he conducted a piece at the high school’s Winter
Concert Thursday night
– and did it with a flourish.
It was an opportunity for Richard Lowry to leave the education field the way he came in.
Lowry began his career at San Benito High School as the band director, a position he held from 1970 to 1978. In celebration of his retirement in February as superintendent of the San Benito High School District, he conducted a piece at the high school’s Winter Concert Thursday night – and did it with a flourish.
“After all this time, it’s like he completes the way he entered,” SBHS band director James Zuniga said. “He still has it in him.”
Lowry, baton in hand, directed the SBHS band and members of a special education class in “Deck the Halls.” Among those in attendance to watch the former band director were his wife, children and grandchildren.
In a version of “This Is Your Life,” Zuniga surprised Lowry with a scrapbook found in the SBHS band room. The book includes various clippings of newspaper articles from 1976, 1977 and 1978 and one that highlights Lowry’s retirement as band director in 1978.
Zuniga, who found the book, thinks a parent might have put it together.
Lowry was also presented with a copy of the score of the song he conducted and the concert’s program, which was signed by all the band members – the last SBHS band he conducted, Zuniga pointed out.
Lowry said he was pleased to receive the signed score and that the evening was even more special because his family was there.
After receiving the gifts, Lowry acknowledged special people in his life – his wife, daughters, son and grandsons. All his children graduated from SBHS and played an instrument in the band.
Although it’s been 24 years since Lowry conducted a band, he said he wasn’t nervous and felt at home.
“I was amazed,” Lowry said about his rehearsals with the band. “I started to direct and it felt comfortable.”
The concert featured a variety of holiday music, a Latin piece, jazz tunes and some marching-band numbers, since the band is a marching band the first half of the school year for football games, Zuniga said. The Jazz Ensemble and Scarlet Regiment Band performed.
In the eight years Lowry was band director, student participation went from 39 to 120, Zuniga said as he presented Lowry with the scrapbook.
“Every band director brings something to the table,” Zuniga said. “What Lowry did was get different sections of the student population involved in the band.”
Lowry has as degree in music education and was a staff band officer during his four years in the U.S. Army. He was the San Benito County Superintendent of Schools for 13 years and superintendent of the SBHS district for more than six years.
He said he still runs into people who were in his band.
“I prefer being called ‘the former band director’ instead of ‘the old band director,'” he joked.
While Lowry was touched and complimented by the invitation to conduct the band, he said he wanted band members to have a good time.
“I hope the kids have fun,” he said before the concert. “I told the band that if I make a mistake, they’ll have to cover up for me.”
