NALL, LEIST LEAVE LEGACY OF GOOD MUSIC

Although Ron Nall and Nick Leist are retiring, their music will linger on. For more than 68 years combined, the two have led the Cape Central and Jackson high school band programs to new levels of excellence.

The two have had remarkable careers. They have positively influenced the lives of thousands of students at the region's two largest high schools.

The two first met as students in a brass ensemble at Southeast Missouri State University. Leist was a senior trombonist. Nall was a freshman who had just switched from tuba to French horn.

Leist's early career included stops at Advance, Hayti and Caruthersville. And then came Jackson. Leist settled in for an illustrious tenure that would span 30 years at the high school.

Over the years, Leist emphasized concert and individual achievement. Jackson has earned the well-deserved reputation of placing multiple students in the all-state band each year and dominating the district band.

Nall began his career with positions in Caruthersville, Marble Hill and Potosi. Then Cape Central High School became his roost to rule, staying 19 years.

It was the marching band program that Nall polished at Central. He produced a marching band program that has often earned top honors in the state.

Assistant band directors at the school will have big shoes to fill. But both Pat Schwent at Jackson and Neil Casey at Cape Central bring considerable experience and expertise to the jobs.

Don't look for Nall, 54, or Leist, 57, to live the retiring life. Both will continue to direct the municipal band programs in their respective cities.

They'll both be directing Monday during Memorial Day festivities. Nall will direct the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band at 10:30 a.m. Monday at North County Park. Leist will direct the Jackson Municipal Band during ceremonies that begin at 9 a.m. at the Jackson City Cemetery.

Throughout the summer, the Cape Municipal Band performs Wednesday nights at Capaha Park. It's Thursday evenings that the Jackson Municipal Band fills the Jackson City Park with music.

Municipal band programs are few and far between today. Cape Girardeau and Jackson are fortunate to have first-rate musicians and directors for both community programs. The weekly crowds are indicative of the loyal following for each band.

Thanks to Leist and Nall, thousands of area students learned the beauty of music and the thrill of competition. That gift of music is a legacy these remarkable men of music share as they embark upon retirement. For that we say: Thanks and good luck.