Roger Bacon High School - Troubadour Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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DEDICATION Wes Neal: Class Personified From Michigan to Florida, from Virginia to Illinois, when a young man announces that he goes to or graduated from Roger Bacon High School, people recognize the name immediately. A large part of that recognition has been earned by the performances of our own Roger Bacon Spartan Band. The band has entertained thousands - perhaps millions of people all over the eastern and mid-westem United States. Audiences and competing bands have come to know that When the Roger Bacon Band performs, the music will be great and the marching will be exciting. That tradition of excellence was started over twenty years ago when band moderator Fr. Celsus Griese and Rog- er Bacon principal Fr. Andrew Fox brought a young College Conservatory graduate into the schooi to be- come band director. Fr, Ceisus and Wes Neal togeth- er began to transform an average high school band into a disciplined, precise performing team known and respected far and wide. Since his arrival at Roger Bacon in 1960, Mr. Neal has directed the band to eight Ohio State Champion- ships and performances everywhere from St. Peters- burg, Florida, to the Super Bowl in Pontiac, Michigan. The band has performed alongside such musical gi- ants as Doc Severenson and Al Hirt. Success has been taken for granted as the band has collected trophies and honors year after year. But just what is it about Wes Neal that has enabled him to form the Roger Bacon Band into one of the most distinguished march- ing bands in the country? First of all, Mr. Neal is a quiet leader who allows his band officers and section leaders to take an active role in running the band. Mr. Neal creates and teach- es, then steps back and allows the student leaders to carry out the instructions. Band members themselves make most of the major decisions involving trips, per- formances, and practices. The student leaders run practices and direct performances, even in his ab- sence. With his years of experience, Mr. Neal guides and critiques but lets band members know that suc- ' cess depends ultimately on their efforts, not his own. He lets the standing ovations teach band members how gratifying the fruits of their labors can be. The band learns not only to strive for high goals, but also what it feels like to achieve those goals. To Mr. Neal, band members are not boys but young - men WhO grow to become mature-and responsibleL adults. Band training,therefore, is not an end in itself but becomes a basis in helping the young men deal with life and all its challenges. His fine leadership and strict discipline have set examples for thousand of young men over the last two decades. In the midst of it all, band members know that he is always caring about their Welfare and progress. Mr. Neal and the Roger Bacon Spartan Band have received many honors and tributes, but the Trouba- dour would like to add one more honor for the man who has built the tradition. Because of his superb dedication to excellence and precision, to the ideals of Roger Bacon High School, and to the thousands of young men he has guided, the yearbook staff is proud 1;? dedicate the 1982 Troubadour to Mr. Wesley A. eel.