MUSIC MEN

Ron Nall and Nick Leist first met in a brass ensemble at Southeast Missouri State University about 35 years ago. Nall was a freshman who had just switched instruments from tuba to French horn. Leist was a senior trombonist.

The band director didn't trust Nall to hold his own so he instructed Leist to transpose and play Nall's part on trombone as well.

Nall and Leist laugh and clap each other on the shoulder at the memory, one of many the two band directors have shared in a combined 68 years on the podium.

That Nall is retiring from Cape Girardeau Central High School and Leist from Jackson High School at the same time is a coincidence, they insist, but there are many such parallels between their careers.

Early in his career, Nall took the band director's job in Caruthersville when Leist left for Jackson. His other stops included Marble Hill and Potosi in a 32-year career capped by 19 years at Central.

Leist's 36 years as a band director include stints at Advance, Hayti and Caruthersville before beginning his 30 years at Jackson.

Leist never intended to make music his career at all. After graduating from the predecessor of Scott City High School, he enrolled at the University of Kansas, intending to become an architect. But legendary Southeast band director Leroy Mason talked him into staying here for two years.

"I took a music class for a lark and was hooked," he said.

Nall didn't play a band instrument until he was drafted to be a tuba player at Poplar Bluff High School. He had one lesson before joining the band. But Nall, who can't remember when he didn't know how to read music, was a quick study.

"I loved it," he said. "It was like I'd found my place. When I found the band I found what I wanted."

The 57-year-old Leist announced his retirement last fall. Nall made his decision this spring. Both are taking advantage of a recent boost in the state's teacher retirement benefits.

Nall, 54, also was offered a retirement incentive from the Cape Girardeau public schools.

Shivelbine's music store has tendered both of them consulting offers, and Nall will continue tuning pianos. Both will continue directing their cities' municipal bands.

Pat Schwent will become the band director at Jackson, and Neil Casey will be promoted to the top spot at Central.

Though the competition between Cape Central and Jackson in every area is always strong, Nall and Leist say they never felt competitive with each other.

The two took very different approaches to directing their bands. Leist emphasized concert performances and individual achievement. Jackson is known for placing multiple students in the all-state band each year and for dominating the district band.

"We always talk about what a great band they have there," Nall said.

Following former band director Jon Kent Fisher's lead at Central, Nall put much of his energy into producing a high school marching band that some years was among the best in the state.

Nall said he didn't worry about the gifted students, who would find the path to a career in music "in spite of me." The "middle-of-the-road kids" who might not ever play music again were the reason Nall took his bands on so many trips, he said.

"Those kids might never go back to those places," Nall said.

No marching band anywhere around compares to Central's, Leist says. "When they take the field, look out Charley. They're topnotch."

Leist conducted his last concert by the Jackson band May 5. "I was in tears and the kids were in tears," he said. Nall's last concert will be at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Central High School Auditorium.

He purposely chose a Beach Boys medley for the final number in the hope the farewell won't be too sentimental.

"People don't understand the emotional involvement of being a music teacher," he said. "I could hardly tell the band."

Leist said the highlight of his career was not a particular event but a sight he saw over and over from the podium. "It's seeing those little knot heads totally lost in what they're doing," he said. "When they're playing music they're off in another world."

Nothing is as much fun as being a music teacher, Nall says.

"We get kids who really want to do what we're doing. I just come to school every day and play."

Nall will be honored at a reception from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Central High School Band Room.

Neither has any regrets about his career as a music teacher. "If I could start over tomorrow...," Nall said.

"I'd do it all over," Leist said.