A Good Book

I read a great book last week that I would commend to your attention. The book is titled American Band by Kristen Laine. This is a fascinating chronicle of the Concord High School Minutemen Marching Band and their path to the state marching band championship in 2004. This is a Midwestern story set in Elkhart, Indiana not too far from Chicago. Ms. Laine’s powerful narrative paints a vivid story about young men and women coming of age in the new millennium. You experience their thoughts and fears as they strive for perfection on the marching field and in life. It is also the story of Max Jones, a legionary Indiana music educator who has influenced thousands of students over his long career. Max Jones is now on the staff at Purdue University where he directs the world renowned Purdue Marching Band. This is a truly heart warming story about a school, its young people and a supportive community. American Band could be the premier “coming to age” story of the 21st century. Give it a try.