Band director Mike Leckrone shares highlights of his 50-year career in this joyous memoir. Leckrone grew up in a musical family and his love of applause cemented his desire to perform. He learned multiple instruments, played in school bands, and performed in a musical act with his father. A concert headlined by Louis Armstrong taught Leckrone the importance of giving every performance his best. He attended university and stayed on as director of bands before being recruited by the University of Wisconsin. Leckrone’s enthusiasm shines through as he recounts the marching band’s evolution as an increasingly more important part of the sports and music scenes at Wisconsin. He insisted on rigorous preparation for performances but allowed the students leeway to have fun. A common theme is Leckrone’s focus on remembering those things that create moments of happiness, whether it’s marching in the Rose Bowl parade or something more mundane. He recommends that we bank those memories to help navigate more difficult times. Leckrone retired in 2019 but is still active with projects including a podcast about music and a one-man theatrical production about his life. VERDICT This is an uplifting memoir by a man with a storied and impactful career.
A version of this review was published by Library Journal 149:8 (2024): 94.
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