Brazil Concert Band honors bandsman Wayne Parkins

The Brazil Concert Band, under the direction of Matthew S. Huber, will honor retiring bandsman Wayne Parkins in a special edition concert titled "Hail To The Chief" Sunday, June 16 at 8 p.m. rain or shine. Parkins joined the BCB in 1945 as a sousaphone player. His musical mentors in the band were Anton Massinon and Wilford Dobson.

After graduation from Staunton High School in 1948, Parkins joined the Navy, retiring 32 years later as a Chief Petty Officer. His working years include Allison's in Indianapolis and coal mine construction.

Parkins has been married to Evelyn for 63 years and they have five children, 14 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

His oldest daughter, Darla Scherb, played French horn in the BCB.

In the BCB, Parkins held the position of tuba-sousaphone section leader and played the same E flat sousaphone he bought in 1950. He will continue playing that E flat sousaphone in the Jackson Township Community Band having joined even earlier in 1942.

Parkins recalls meeting BCB and JTCB band director Matt Huber who was a young boy trombonist in the bands in 1968. Reflecting on his years in the Brazil Concert Band, "The Chief," as he is often called, exclaimed, "it has been a wonderful experience."

Huber notes, "Wayne Parkins is an outstanding musician with strong loyalty to the Brazil Concert Band and will be greatly missed at the band shell."

The BCB will perform several of Wayne Parkins' all time favorites to include: "Victory At Sea" by Rodgers, "Hands Across The Sea" by Sousa, "Anchors Aweigh" by Zimmerman, "E Pluribus Unum" by Jewell, "Sea Songs" by Vaughan Williams, "Them Basses" by Huffine, "South Pacific" by Rodgers, "The Brazil Special" by Davis, "Cloth Of Gold" by Jewell, "The Corcoran Cadets" by Sousa and "Supreme Triumph" by Jewell.