This past month, Southside High School hired Ron Lewis as their new Head Band Director. He comes with 24 years of experience as a band director in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Ron Lewis graduated from Checotah High School in Oklahoma. He attended Northeastern State University where he earned his bachelor's. Lewis then went on to teach in Oklahoma where he was a member of the Music Association of Oklahoma. He has also spent time judging Marching Competitions in Oklahoma.
Ever since his time in high school, Ron has always wanted to be a Band Director. Lewis also had experience marching in Drum Corps. He spent a summer marching with the Valiant Knights Drum and Bugle Corps out of Little Rock Arkansas. When asked about his favorite Drum Corps and show, he stated The Blue Devils and their 1992 show “When a Man Loves a Woman”.
Lewis is extremely excited about this new opportunity for Southside but will miss his students at Van Buren. I asked him what he is most excited for at Southside, he stated, “I am ready for the fans at our first home game to hear the big opening of our halftime show”. Lewis brings with him many years of experience in marching and Jazz. Lewis said that he is excited to be an amazing Jazz instructor, Mr. Michael Westbrook.
During his free time, you can find Ron on the golf course teeing it up. A Fun Fact, Ron recently became a grandfather this year. So now he splits his time between his 7 iron and his granddaughter. His wife Gina Lewis is a business teacher at Southside and she will be instructing the color guard of the Maverick Band.
I asked about what the show theme is but it is a well-kept secret between Lewis and his wife. He did say that it is the first show that he has put together by himself. So you can expect that the Southside Band will have an exciting halftime show. He is hopeful for the school year in the Fall and hopes to start the year off with the kids in person.
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