The Rischling family, including the former and current AHS band directors Dick, Dave, and their father before them, created a legacy in this community as being exceptional bandleaders capable of bringing out the best in their students. For many years they have lead the AHS band to awards of excellence in both marching and concert band competitions. Now, after decades of leadership by the Rischling family, the AHS band is being placed in new hands.
Mr. Dave Rischling, the retiring head conductor of the AHS band, sent in his resignation letter earlier this year and AHS began to search for someone who could fill some very large shoes. After receiving several applications, the high school invited one candidate in particular to come and observe the current director and the band. Mr. David May came to Alliance and was introduced to the band members and given the opportunity to sit in during a practice. Later, May was offered a contract for the position and, the following day, he accepted.
Mr. May attended high school at Omaha Northwest and college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he received his undergraduate degree in Music Education with percussion as his majoring instrument. By the end of this year, he will also have earned a Masters of Music in Conducting from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Mr. May knew he wanted to become a band director as early as junior high. He was educated in the music community by “… very knowledgeable educators… some of the best in the country.” The most influential experience for him, though, was the time he spent as a marching percussion instructor while in college. According to May, he gets excited every time he “gets to work with students in band or learn something new about the ‘profession.’”
Mr. May says he had some prior knowledge about the Alliance band program. Before applying for the job, he had researched the history of AHS band, its previous band directors, and the overall program. With such knowledge, his interview went smoothly and led to a day spent with AHS principal Dr. Pat Jones, Mr. Dave Rischling, Mrs. Laura Mangas, and AMS Principal Mrs. Katie White, discussing the future of AHS and AMS band. When Dr. Jones, confident of May’s qualifications and teaching ability, offered him the position, May’s mind was already made up, and he accepted the job without hesitation. Mr. Rischling says he has high hopes for the new director and believes that he will lead the band program to great places.
