AND THE MUNI BAND PLAYS ON

Ron Nall has been so busy fulfilling obligations as music director for Cape Girardeau Central High and the Municipal Band, he hasn't had time to pause and reflect on the changing of the guard.

"I'm excited about taking over as director of the Municipal Band because I've played in it off and on for 20 years," said Nall, who assumes the role last held by John Fisher. Fisher was director of the Municipal Band, which has been in existence for over 60 years, for the last 15 seasons.

Nall, who played French Horn for the Municipal Band last season, felt goosebumps at the base of his neck when more than 600 attended a Memorial Day concert at Capaha Park the first time he officially took over Fisher's reins.

"The people really seemed like they were involved in the music," said Nall. "It becomes more exciting when you're playing patriotic music on a holiday like Memorial Day and the people show their appreciation from beginning to end."

Nall will have to take a temporary hiatus from his position as director of the Municipal Band. In fact, he has already handed out temporary assignments while he takes a trip to Europe. "I'm taking a group of high school students to Europe for a month and then I'll be back to direct the Municipal Band for the rest of the summer, from the beginning of July on," said Nall.

Cape Central Junior High band director Neil Casey will take over for Nall during the month of June. When the Municipal Band plays at the Cape Riverfest June 10-11, Robert Gifford, who is a music instructor at Southeast Missouri State, will fill in.

The Municipal Band might not reach the level of sophistication it currently enjoys were it not for the level of talent available from the university.

"You really have to have a college town in order to come up with enough talent to put together a municipal band," said Nall. "We've been very fortunate to have people like David Green on clarinet, Mark Fulgham on trumpet and Gary Miller on oboe. All three of those people are instructors at the university and bring a wealth of knowledge and talent to the Municipal Band," said Nall, who holds a master's degree in Music Education and has been a music educator for the last 28 years.

Nall has even brought some members of the Cape Central Band into the Municipal Band. "Mister Fisher didn't have the opportunity to see some of the talented musicians playing at Central the way I do, so I decided to bring some of those people into the Municipal Band," said Nall. "It gives them the experience and opportunity they need to stay sharp and even get better before the start of a new school year."

Nall attributes a more aggressive publicity campaign for the crowds that seem to increase in numbers with each season. "The Council On the Arts has helped us by including us in their press releases and we've even considered taking out ads to let people know when our concerts are," he said.

The Municipal Band will perform at the Cape Riverfest '94 Friday at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage. "Having the Municipal Band at Riverfest is important because so many people enjoy hearing them play," said Riverfest President Peggy Barringer. "It would be a mistake to leave a band like that out of Riverfest because it's so important to the heritage of this community."

When he returns from Europe, Nall plans to put more thought into playing concerts that carry a theme. "It's just something I've been thinking about," he said. "We've talked about having a Sousa or Gershwin Concert. I just think it might be fun to try a few new things. But I haven't had time to sit down and think about it at length. Maybe when we get back from Europe."

Meanwhile the Municipal Band, which has become an institution in Cape, plays on.