A FAMILY AFFAIR: Lloyd family carries on band tradition
Doyle Lloyd has been a part of the band boosters for five years. Doyle Lloyd was selected as the outstanding volunteer by his peers in the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce. This article is part of a series featuring 2010 chamber award winners.
The Adair County High School Band has produced more than just trophies and successful players; it has produced a family.
Doyle Lloyd, of Columbia, met his wife, Mary, while they both participated in the Adair County High School Band. Doyle played in the drumline while Mary played the trumpet.
In his office sits a table filled with photos of his children, Chris, 18, and Anna, 7.
“We have a strong feeling about the program,” Lloyd said.
Doyle participated in the band for three years and his wife participated for five.
Their son Chris followed in his mother’s footsteps while their daughter Anna has proclaimed to follow in her father’s.
“He plays her trumpet,” Lloyd said.
Chris, who has been in the band since the eighth grade, plays his mother’s silver trumpet. He is also president of the band.
He graduated this past Friday. At the band banquet earlier this year he received the awards for highest GPA and the Legacy Award.
“We’re very proud of him,” Lloyd said.
Chris will be going to Transylvania in the fall majoring in computer engineering. He will continue his work with music in the college’s Jazz Band.
“We’re very excited about that,” Lloyd said.
Anna has set her sights on being in the band as well.
“It’s all she talks about,” Lloyd said. “She says she is going to play the drums.”
“It’s all her life consisted of is marching band,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd was chosen earlier this year as an outstanding volunteer from the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce.
Lloyd has been a part of the marching band boosters for five years, since his son began marching band.
He has been president for the last two. His job consisted of overseeing all of the committees and managing fundraising and events, including the Mark Twain Festival held in August.
The boosters had to raise $140,000 just for the trip to Macy’s Day Parade last November.
“Everybody chipped in,” Lloyd said.
They had to pull the money together in less than a year.
“We were always out raising money,” Lloyd said. “Every organization relies on its boosters.”
Lloyd said it is more than just raising money. There are many things to do behind the scenes, including building props.
“During marching season we’re out there almost every night doing something,” Lloyd said.
Mary also helps with the band.
“She does a lot of the behind the scenes stuff,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd talked about volunteering as more of a hobby than of work.
“I don’t think anything about it,” Lloyd said. “It’s not considered work if you love it.
“If you have a passion for it, it’s not overwhelming,” Lloyd said.
As his son graduates, Lloyd will leave his post as president of the band boosters this year.
“I am still going to be involved,” Lloyd said. “They will probably have to run me off.”
Lloyd said the community is a great inspiration.
“That’s what I love about a small town—the way people come together, “ Lloyd said. “People get together and work for a common cause and it happens.”
“We love how everyone pulls together,” Lloyd said.
The thing about volunteering is about getting involved in something.
“If you don’t like it, change it,” Lloyd said. “If you like it, get involved.”
By Allison Hollon
allison@accvonline.com
