Hancock College Concert Band Director Gary Thompson says he likes to add a little flair to everything he does, and those who know Thompson best said his retirement concert will be no exception to this rule.

Culminating 32 years with the band, Thompson will take his place on the conductor's podium for the last time at the band's May 10 pops concert, where he will pass the baton to his successor, Greg Stoll.

However, don't expect Thompson to disappear from the local concert circuit just because he's retired.

“It's not like I'm going to be buried tomorrow. I'm going to play my tuba in the (band),” Thompson said with a laugh.

Before coming to Hancock, Thompson began his 42-year teaching career in San Bernardino County in the Inland Valley cities of Covina and Rancho Cucamonga.

Eventually, he moved to the Central Coast to take a job as a junior high school band and choir director with the Lucia Mar Unified School District.

Thompson says teaching always came naturally to him, and he couldn't imagine doing anything else.

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Besides, “I figured out early in life I couldn't be a bank robber because no one ever forgets me,” he joked.

In 1976, Thompson became the director of the Hancock band, and worked concurrently for Lucia Mar until the 1990s.

As the years went by, the band became an anchor in Thompson's life, and its members became his family. “We've had people meet and get married, we've had people die. We've had babies born to band members, we've had some upsets,” he said. “In the end, families love one another, and that's what we do.”

Indeed, Thompson met his own wife, Nancie Only, through the band.

From a performance standpoint, Thompson said he likes his audiences to feel like part of the band family, and tries to involve them in the show as much as possible.

Thompson's other trademarks are his mischievous nature and his penchant for surprising his band.

During one concert, the band was playing selections from the musical “Showboat,” when he turned around and began singing one of the selections, “Old Man River.”

However, Thompson's best surprise ever probably took place four years ago, after a concert at First Baptist Church in Santa Maria.

“I came out for an encore and asked everyone, ‘How would you like to stick around for a wedding?'” Thompson said. “My wife's (Nancie) son and daughter walked her down the aisle. My son was the best man. One of my trombone players was a minister and married us.”

Thompson's larger-than-life personality carries through to his rehearsals.

“(Thompson) has such humor in his rehearsals,” Concert Master Glen Newcomb said.

Even on those rare nights when Newcomb has to force himself to come to rehearsal, “the rehearsal is so much fun, that I'm just wound when I come home,” he said.

As he prepares to take the lead as the band's new director, Stoll said he hopes to guide the band along the same path Thompson started it on.

“I realize I've got big shoes to fill, and I just want to continue with what Gary started. I want to continue making the band the best that it can be.”

One thing is for sure: Despite his impending retirement, Thompson shows no sign of slowing down. Aside from playing his tuba with Hancock, Thompson said he plans to travel more with his wife. He also plans to make more time for his hobbies and non-musical pursuits: golfing, making golf clubs, and doing television and radio voiceovers.

“It's been a good ride ... but it's time to turn it over the younger guys,” he said.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and take place at First Baptist Church, at 2970 Santa Maria Way in Santa Maria. Tickets cost $10 for the general public, and $5 for seniors, and Hancock faculty, staff and students. For Information, call 922-6966, Ext. 3252.