Jackson grad trying to complete band uniform collection for display

Musical roots run deep in Steve Sebaugh's family. Three generations of Sebaughs have played in the Jackson school bands. Steve played trumpet from 1982 to 1984. His mother, Joan Nothdurft Sebaugh, was a glockenspiel player from 1953 to 1956, and his son, Scott, has played trombone in the junior high band for two years and plans to play in the high school band next year.

Sebaugh, 43, graduated from Jackson High School in 1984. He played the trumpet in the band for the three years he attended the school. When he graduated in 1984, Sebaugh started collecting pieces of band uniforms. Now he's recruiting help to build other uniforms for a band display in Jackson High School.

He just needs a few items to complete some uniforms. He is completely missing others. Sebaugh will donate a uniform he wore during his time in the Jackson High School Band. He acquired other uniforms and pieces from the school's collection to repair and clean for the display.

"I am real close to having 66 years of uniforms complete and if I can find a uniform from 1935, that would be almost 75 years of history," Sebaugh said. He hopes that readers of this story will spread the word, search their closets, attics and basements and donate missing pieces or whole uniforms for the future display at Jackson High School.

Joan Sebaugh said music was important in her family while she was growing up. She was in the school choir and took piano lessons at home. She said her family valued musical skills because those talents could be used in the church choir or playing piano during church services. Her ability to read music was instrumental in being chosen to play the glockenspiel, a set of bells similar to a xylophone.

Submitted by Joan SebaughJoan Sebaugh in her Jackson High School Band uniform her senior year in 1956.

"It gave me a chance to be in a school activity," Joan said. "I was not sports-minded. It was a wonderful opportunity to be part of the group."

Steve and his siblings were expected to play the piano and learn music. He said he hated the piano so much that he'd play a recording of himself practicing to trick his parents. Eventually he came to an agreement with his mother and father.

"If I picked another instrument and took band they would let me quit piano lessons. I couldn't say yes fast enough," Steve said.

Steve said he took to the trumpet easily and still plays it in the Jackson Municipal Band. He has been a member since 1984, when he graduated from high school. His son will continue the tradition, playing in the municipal band for the first time this year.

"The JHS band grew out of the Jackson Municipal Band and was formed in 1920," said Dr. Carol McDowell, coordinator and professor of music education at Southeast Missouri State University.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comSteve Sebaugh and his mother, Joan, look at a book called the "The History of the Band Program at Jackson High School, Jackson, Missouri"by Carol J. McDowell

McDowell wrote the book "The History of the Band Program at Jackson High School, Jackson, Missouri," published in 1999. Sebaugh said the book provided him with a pictorial history and guide for uniform appearance and changes over the years.

The book describes events that led to the development of the band program and band festival until 1998. McDowell said she will donate a book to be displayed at the high school near the uniforms.

"I had lots of help from Nick Leist who had a lot of newspaper clippings people sent him," McDowell said regarding the book. One of the reasons McDowell wrote the book was to interview Leist, JHS band director from 1968 to 1998, who was retiring that year. McDowell, who graduated in 1984, was a student of Leist's and is a flute player in the Jackson Municipal Band, currently directed by him.

Scott Sebaugh has practiced with the municipal band and likes it.

"Nick is good," Scott said. "He makes it fun."

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comThis uniform is complete and dated back to 1961-1982.

The ninth grader said he doesn't mind carrying on the family tradition of being in the high school band.

"It's kind of fun," Scott said. "I'm good at it. I like being with friends. I like music."

Jackson High School principal Vince Powell said he was excited by Sebaugh's pitch for a historical display of the band.

"The band program has historically been a big part of the Jackson schools and the community as well," Powell said in an e-mail. "I also feel that such an exhibit would allow the students and staff to appreciate the history and evolution of the band program."

An exact location for the display has not been decided yet. Ron Anderson, superintendent of Jackson schools, said band director Scott Vangilder is exploring traffic patterns and the amount of space needed for the display.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comThis Jackson band uniform is from 1943-1960. Sebaugh is missing the belt with a shoulder strap, the hat and the gold braids.

"There will be a few details to iron out, such as where the display will be located, how will the uniforms be displayed, etc.," Vangilder said in an e-mail interview. "I feel confident that this will all work out and will be a nice piece of history to showcase our band program."

Vangilder said the potential date for the next uniform change is this fall.

Steve invites donors to drop uniforms or pieces of them at his home, 1508 Kimbeland Drive in Jackson. He has the entire uniform the band wore from 1961 to 1982 that he wore for part of his band career. Reach Steve at 243-1681.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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