Ever since Glen Newcomb picked up the clarinet as a fifth-grader at Hapgood Elementary school in the 1950s, music has been his life.

That's what makes it so fitting that he was selected as this year's grand marshal for the Lompoc Flower Festival's parade: The theme this year is “Music, Music, Music.”

“It was out of the blue as far as I was concerned,” Newcomb said of his selection as grand marshal. “I was amazed and thrilled.”

Another aspect that makes the choice of Newcomb so appropriate is that, as a Cub Scout, he was in the very first Flower Festival parade. And once he became involved in music, he marched in nearly every parade, either as a student or as a band director, from 1954 to 1993.

“This time I get to ride instead of march,” Newcomb said.

Newcomb has had a distinguished career in music, starting with high school when, as drum major, he was part of the Lompoc High School marching band that was selected to represent California at President Kennedy's 1961 inauguration in Washington, D.C.

While a member of the University of Washington's Husky Marching Band, Newcomb participated in the Opening Ceremonies for the Seattle World's Fair and the Pasadena Rose Festival Parade and game.

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Since the 10th grade, Newcomb had wanted to be a music teacher, so he jumped at the chance to return to Lompoc when an opportunity came up. It wasn't long before he was teaching music and directing the marching band at Cabrillo High School, where he worked for 21 years.

In 1984, he lead Cabrillo's marching band in the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Eventually, Newcomb moved to Vandenberg Middle School, where he worked for 15 years before retiring.

It's because of his years of teaching that Newcomb feels particularly honored: “I do feel that it's not just meet, but the Flower Festival is honoring all music teachers.”

Since retiring, Newcomb has become more involved with other music groups: He is music director for St. Mary's Episcopal Church, concert master and assistant conductor for the Allan Hancock College Concert Band, and the new assistant conductor for the Lompoc Pops Orchestra. Along with his family, he performs as the “Merrie Wreath Consort,” a Renaissance Recorder Ensemble.

Newcomb said he did get one funny phone call after word got out about his selection as grand marshal: “A former student called to find out if I was OK,” Newcomb said, “because he said usually when they make somebody the grand marshal of the parade it's because they are really old or not well and they want to honor them before they ‘go.'”

Amanda Brooks can be reached at 737-1057 or abrooks@santamariatimes.com.

June 21, 2008