1 minute read
A Lifetime of Music
from Rhythm Magazine
Chad Davis, AIA, Senior Associate
Above Birdville High School participates in a Marching Band competition, 2015 Inset Westlake High School Marching Band, circa 1989
Chad M. Davis, AIA, Senior Associate
Some of my favorite projects in my more than 20 years at VLK have been performing arts facilities. Like many people, when I entered the 6th grade, I had the opportunity to select a band instrument to play. Growing up watching Doc Severinsen lead the Tonight Show Band with Johnny Carson with his high notes blasted on the trumpet was enough to get me hooked. I played the trumpet from 6th grade, through my years at Westlake High School in Austin, and even three years of college at the University of Texas at Arlington. I was privileged to have had great band directors at every step. I’m passionate about performing arts because I’ve lived it myself. I’ve had the 6:45 AM jazz band rehearsals, the August marching band practice in the school parking lot, and the 2:00 AM bus trips home from out-of-town football games. I’ve unloaded equipment in the dark, sold chocolate to fund band trips, and stood on the stage and played the trumpet solo in a fast-paced jazz number. I understand how one additional second of reverberation time impacts the listener. I understand the importance of a whisper-quiet space to make band recordings to send to competition. Music continues to be a great influence in my life. On my bedside table sits a copy of “How Music Works” by David Byrne, a book from which, I continue to learn and find inspiration. Now, my 14-year-old daughter plays the flute in the Birdville High School band, so Friday night football games have kicked off a new generation of musical tradition for our family. I look forward to living it all over again through her performances.
