Beloved band director retires
Richard Brasco added one more honor to his resume last week.
The Columbia County Arts Council honored Richard Brasco on Monday night for his contributions to the arts in the county.
The Evans High School band director retired this year after 35 years as a music educator.
"He has been so successful and been so many places," said Philip Hedgecoth, the council's treasurer and a minister of music and education for First Baptist Church, Evans. "He's just an outstanding educator."
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Hedgecoth, who made the presentation to Brasco at the council's annual meeting, said his own childhood band director was a major influence on his life, encouraging him to pursue music.
Richard Brasco accepts a certificate from Columbia County Arts Council for his work as a band instructor for the past 35 years.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"Any band director is my hero," Hedgecoth said. "He has influenced who knows how many students and parents. The least we could do is recognize Mr. Brasco."
When Brasco came to Evans High in 1983, there were 21 students in the program. Twenty years later, the Knights' band is about 250 strong. His band has built a worldwide reputation, playing such venues at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and The Lord Mayor's Parade in London.
He is co-conductor of an adult group called the Savannah River Winds, an ensemble made up of band directors, college students and other residents in the Augusta area.
After earning a bachelor of science degree in music education from St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa., his first teaching assignment was with the Aiken Count Public Schools in North Augusta, where he taught at both junior highs, five elementary schools and was assistant high school director. He then took an assignment at Paul Knox Middle School.
From 1976 to 1983 Brasco was director of bands at North Augusta High School.
About 15 of Brasco's students have gone on to become music educators.
OTHER BUSINESS
Also at the Columbia County Arts Council meeting: The council outlined plans for three activities next year: the New Horizons Art Festival in October; a battle of the bands with area high school jazz bands and a weeklong summer art camp.