30 People Meet New Music Teacher Julie Capps

Around 30 Worth County students, family members, and community members came to meet new music teacher Julie Capps Saturday afternoon at the Partnership Library. She said she was not looking forward to moving her house, but that she was looking forward to being home again. "Hopefully, this is the last time I will have to move," she said. She was originally from Atlanthus Grove, and went Stanberry High School. She was originally Julie Osborn and is also related to the Mercers in Stanberry. She has found a place west of Grant City to live; she plans to be moved in by July 1st and have band camp on August 8th.

Ms. Capps has directed bands in Texas and southern Missouri; she once directed Permian High School of Odessa (TX) of Friday Night Lights fame; she said that everything that was written about the school and its extensive football tradition is true. Winning is expected, and losing is a major bad deal, with irate fans putting "For Sale" signs on the coach's property. She has taught everything musically related; her band once played for George W. and Laura Bush. She has three grown sons, a granddaughter, and a grown lab.

"I'm really excited to be here, and I can't wait to get started," said Ms. Capps. "I want the kids to have fun and play well." She said she wanted to see the band get back to where they were routinely getting awards under Mrs. Joanna Healy and Mr. Kenneth Thompson. "My kids are all grown up, so my time is yours," she promised.

She said that she plans to have the 6th grade start in band; that way, she can focus more on recorder work. By the end of the 5th grade, her goal is to have students ready for band if they are interested. One change she is making is that she's not forcing parents to sign off that their kids have practiced at home. "One of my sons played random notes in the bathroom once and tried to get me to sign off on it," she said. Ms. Capps follows in some big footsteps, but she has already got the support of Jim Spiers, long-time vocal music teacher. "It's a blessing to have you here," he said.