''Just like fheoldFordslogangoes, 'Quality is job number one,"' Dr. Michael Chance, director of bands and orchestra, said. "The same applies to Harding's band program. As band is expanding and becoming more complex, the needs of that program are changrng." As Harding's band program grew rn both size and quality, the Thundering Herd Marching Band in particular needed a helping hand.After much thought and a lot of prayer, the music department made Dr. Wesley Parker director of the athletic band program. Parker was hired by Harding three years ago as an adjunct professor and helped the Thundering Herd by writing their performance drills. Parker also began Harding's percussion ensemble and directed the basketball pep band. He was an avid lover of instrumental programs, having been a part ofThe Mighty Sound of the South Marching Band for the University of Memphis. He used his love of music to not only help the Thundering Herd but also to lead them. According to Chance, the Thundering Herd was better prepared for the football season by the start of the year than it had ever been in the history of the school. Parker extended the pre-season band camp from three days to six, selected new music, wrote new drills and helped the Thundering Herd memorize not only the pregame show, but the first of three halftime shows and drill movements, all by the end of band camp week. "Dr. Parker has a constant drive for improvement," vicepresident and senior Ashley Calcote said. "He is a really positive, likable person who maintains a good balance of 2 2 2 organizations working us hard and ensuring we still love band at the end of rehearsals." Parker was ecstatic qbout directing the athletic band program; he had hoped for such a chance since he arrived at Harding. He channeled his trademark enthusiasm into the program. "We want to make the atmosphere electric wherever we are," Parker said. "If we are not making Rhodes rowdier, then what are we doing?" Calcote was excited to see that Parker took the athletic band program back to the its real goal: entertainment. "Our purpose is to entertain, so that is what we do," Calcote said. "And he is helping us get back to the purpose of keeping the crowds entertained and in the game." Parker selected diverse music to draw the crowds in, including Jazz, patriotic music and hits from the TV show "Glee." "We have everyone from college students to grandparents come to our games," Parker said. "So I chose a variety of music to keep everyone in the audience entertained and energized ." Just like any athletic team's coach, Parker's goal fort he Thundering Herd and other bands was to have a successful year and reach their highest potential. "Having Dr. Parker become the new athletic band director is a tremendous milestone in the program," Chance said. "This has been a prayer and a goal for decades and in God's own time He provided the circumstances for us to make this possible." john Mark Adkison
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