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Nokomis program continues to produce topnotch talent

BY COLIN HICKEY, Correspondent

NEWPORT -- Nokomis Regional High School doesn't play second fiddle to anybody when it comes to high school music programs.

Consider the Nokomis jazz band's latest road trip: Longtime band director M. Stanley Buchanan took the 19-student ensemble on tour to California, including performances at Disneyland and Universal Studios.

But the highlight of the trip proved to be Nokomis' appearance at the Heritage Jazz Festival in Anaheim: The ensemble took first place.

Andrew Clifford was part of that powerhouse program during his years as a high school student.

The 67-year-old Buchanan, now in his 45th year at Nokomis, said Clifford was one of many talented, highly motivated musicians he has taught during his tenure.

And, like Clifford, many of those musicians went on to further success in the music world.

"We have a lot of musicians come out of our little high school," Buchanan said, "and play all over the United States."

Buchanan said the Nokomis music program has built a tradition of excellence that serves as a source of both pride and inspiration.

"You'll find in most years that most Nokomis (jazz) groups finish in the top three in the state (festivals)," Buchanan said. "It is the expectation of the program and the expectation of the teachers, because we are blessed to have good teachers right through the K-12 program."

Buchanan said the program also has benefited from strong support from parents. That, too, he said, proves invaluable in motivating students to devote the long hours needed to become polished musicians.

Given the program's many strengths, Buchanan probably could retire tomorrow with the assurance that the musical success will continue long after he is gone.

But Buchanan -- at least at the moment -- has no plans to retire.

"I'm still having fun with the kids," he said.