The music program at Dresden High School in Tennessee went from “zero to hero” in the time that Jacob Abbott has served as its Performing Arts Director. Before Abbott came to Dresden, there was only one Music Appreciation class offered. Now, there are several General Music classes, Contemporary Music (ROAR), Choir and the resurrection of the concert band (The Pride of Dresden).

The lack of opportunities for his students was Abbott’s greatest motivator in transforming the program. “Growing up, I had access to a traditional band program and the ability to play in garage bands with my friends. The students at Dresden didn’t have that when I started. Regardless of their ultimate level of achievement, all schools should provide the opportunity for students to explore music,” he explains.

Abbott built the General Music curriculum to cater to students who had no musical experience. “Over the course of the school year, I build complete musicians. These students learn basic rhythm through body percussion and bucket drumming, pitch through boom whackers, piano, ukulele and guitar, and finish the year with various ensemble configurations,” he says. 

The sum of their learning is showcased at a performance in the theater in front of a packed crowd of their peers.

In his Contemporary Music class, students are part of ROAR, a cover band, and learn guitar, bass, keys, and drum set through popular styles of music. ROAR serves as the pep band for multiple home basketball games, performing between quarters and during halftime. “This year, we began learning how to record both full group and individual tracks with a DAW [digital audio workstation], and many students have begun writing their own songs,” Abbott says proudly.

Outside of basketball games, ROAR performs at multiple local events each semester, such as the amateur wrestling fundraiser at Dresden Middle School. “Anywhere I can find a crowd who likes rock and pop music, we show up,” Abbott says with a smile

The idea of bringing back the traditional band started at the middle school level. Rebecca Steele, the Assistant Band Director, was initially hired as a general music teacher for Dresden Middle School. Her class numbers exploded over the first few years, which prompted discussions about bringing back the traditional program. “Initially, we were going to offer it exclusively at the middle school and let the students trickle up to me,” Abbott explains. “However, the 8th graders that year were very vocal about not missing out on the opportunity, so we scheduled both the middle school and high school concert bands simultaneously in 2023. Currently, we have 35 to 40 students in our middle school program, and I have 20 at the high school.”

According to Abbott, the school district provided the necessary funding for his plans for growth, including and materials to get started. “The district purchased a tuba, euphonium and various percussion instruments for each building and created a budget that we have used to overhaul the older instruments left from the original band program,” he says. “Most of our students are renting their horns through Amro Music, but many need a school-owned instrument. Without the district’s support, this band program would not exist.”

The community has also been a source of funding and support. Every public concert has a large crowd, and many local organizations have made donations, which Abbott has used for instruments and materials. “The local paper covers our events regularly, and many individuals and businesses have come forward wanting to support our efforts,” he says. “We are starting to see community members with no direct connection to the schools show up and support the students!”

One of Abbott’s proudest moments happened with his choir. Every December, the choir spends a day caroling at nursing home facilities. “A few years ago, we sang ‘White Christmas’ for a man who was recovering from a stroke. He couldn’t speak, but as we sang, tears started running down his face,” Abbott recalls. “I don’t know how we were able to finish the song because eventually, we were all crying. I found out a few weeks later that the man had passed away right after Christmas, and I am beyond proud that my students made one of his last days so special.”