Band of Friends — Donald Smith

It sure wasn't Ronnie's choice to move from the only school he had ever known to find himself immersed in a very different town and strange new school. Ronnie rapidly discovers that the focus is clearly on him as the new kid while he is slipping into the life of an outcast and bully target. Fortunately, fate provides an opportunity for the new kid when his average trumpet playing in the old school‘s awesome band is better than this new band has ever heard and Ronnie rapidly earns a ticket to the “cool table” in his new Jr. Sr. High School band. Throw in a few crazy bike riding adventures, a fist fight in detention, an archeological discovery in the woods behind his new house, the championship football game spotlight, and Ronnie and his “Band of Friends” are set for new adventures around every corner.

Coming soon: “Band of Friends; Holiday Surprises” Ronnie's first holiday season in a new town has more surprises and twists than anyone could expect. You will get to know Ronnie and all of his friends better while you enjoy a thrilling ride through holiday concerts, family traditions, and a shocking discovery in the woods behind Ronnie's house.

After surviving his own adventures as a member of the band in school, the author “Doc” Smith finds himself in his 30th year of directing school bands. After many successful years teaching at the high school and university level, the return to his first love, middle level teaching, has been both revitalizing and productive. With his bands consistently rated at the highest levels, Smith has enjoyed having his two sons and all of their friends as his students while actively publishing journal articles about innovative pedagogies he has developed. “Band of Friends” is Smith's uplifting first offering in a series of fiction books about the adventures of being in a school band program. As a state chair of advocacy for music education, the author has dedicated this book to all of the students that include music as part of their school day and promises to donate a percentage of all of his proceeds to the “Music for All Foundation” to support music programs nationwide.