Only a few musical measures are left in the career of Gibraltar Band Teacher Charlie Eckhardt. He is set to retire from teaching at Gibraltar after over two decades. He estimates that he has conducted over 500 performances during his tenure, whether inside the Door Community Auditorium, at a basketball game, or along the Sister Bay Fall Fest parade route. One of his most trying times as a teacher came during the pandemic. It took a long time for performing arts ensembles like bands and choirs to get back to normal as groups wrestled virtual sessions and rehearsals in masks. He says leaving his kids will be hard, but he is happy he is giving them a great experience while he can.

There will be no decrescendo to the end of Eckhardt’s time at Gibraltar. In addition to hosting the Bay Area Music Association Honors Band earlier this month, the Gibraltar Band program is preparing to welcome musicians for the Solo and Ensemble Contest on February 10th before heading down to Disney World in March. You can listen to the BAMA Honors Band performance, which featured three Gibraltar musicians and several others from around the county, below.

BAMA HONORS BAND 2024