I had the opportunity to attend the Mike Leckrone Spring Concert this past
weekend. Well, I suppose it was actually the Wisconsin Band Spring
Concert, but one could have mistaken the band for an instrument of and
a backdrop for Mr. Leckrone's ego.
One has to be reminded that the star of this event is nominally an
organization of students. Yet only a single band member was recognized
by name. And on this, the night of their final public performance, no
graduating seniors were recognized. Stunningly, the band was never
directed to stand as a unit to accept applause while Mr. Leckrone took
his bows. Such behavior at a professional orchestra would raise
eyebrows, let alone at a student concert.
And yet we were treated to seeing Mr. Leckrone taking the baton from
the band's Assistant Director, Ernest Jennings - who served as a stand-
in conductor for the very few times when Mr. Leckrone was not front
and center - without a word of public thanks or recognition. We saw
two home-made videos, one cast with him exclusively and the other with
students, but with him back again at the finale. And in a scene that
can only be described as grotesque, the American flag was marched in
by an ROTC unit, not to be saluted, but to be used as a prop; because
at the same time Mr. Leckrone was suspended by a wire, doing back
flips while sailing over the audience. It was clear which spectacle
was supposed to get the greater attention.
It is time for Mr. Leckrone to retire, or to be retired. No one should
direct an artistic organization for 40 years, no matter his
accomplishments. The fact that he has survived this long is evidence
either of the strength of his cult of personality, or of the fact that
the university leaders simply do not care enough about the band. They
would tolerate no similar tenure of a football or basketball coach,
even more so because at its best the band has been no better than 3rd
best in the Big Ten.
One only has to reflect on the most telling moment of the concert this
past Friday, when Mr. Leckrone took the baton from Mr. Jennings after
floating in a second time from the Kohl Center rafters, and remarked
\Let's not forget whose band this is."" Well, it is he who has
forgotten. The band belongs first to the students of the University,
and perhaps even to the people of Wisconsin. But it is certainly not
his personal property.
There is no question that in the 39 years of his tenure, Mr. Leckrone
has re-invented the band, and turned it into something simply brand
new. But the halftime music at football games is outdated. The
formations are tired. The drum major, the supposed leader of the band,
is nothing more than a baton twirler in Mr. Leckrone's shadow, be it
on the field or in the pre-game concerts at Union South, where no one
gets the microphone or center stage except the band director.
Has he done anything to prepare for the transition to a new director,
should his advancing age force him to step aside? The only time he
does not lead the band at a football, basketball, or hockey game is
when he has a more important game to attend. Mr. Jennings is relegated
to volleyball. One would reasonably expect someone else to be given a
shot at least 1 of every 4 or 5 big games.
There are undoubtedly many who worship this man, and he probably
deserves some of it. But what he does not deserve is full personal
control of the band and, by extension, control of the many dedicated
student musicians. There is simply no reason that this band should not
be challenging the bands of Ohio State and Michigan for supremacy.
What that requires is someone who is fearful for his job; someone who
knows that unless he moves the marker forward, he might be replaced.
""On Wisconsin"" demands change.
We do not need to suffer through the ego trip of Mr. Leckrone's 40th
year at Wisconsin and another self-serving spring concert. His
retirement, and the eventual ascension of Mr. Jennings or another
deserving candidate, should be forthcoming.
