Heights Concert Band lead by local music man - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

The Harker Heights band room is business as usual by day, and a host to the Heights concert band by night.

Every Wednesday evening, you'll hear music flowing from Barnegie Hall.

The 50-person band is led by conductor Carlton Morris. He created and even underwrote the Heights Concert Band back in 1978.

"Without those people and their dedication and devotion, we wouldn't have a band so it's a collective expression for all of us," he said.

Dedication from people like Bob Nelson. He's been a part of the band for more than three decades.

"I remember when I first joined. I couldn't play too many notes on the flute but after a while I was playing more and more and just enjoying it more and more, and you grow as a performer," Nelson said.

The band often performs at military, city and church events.

Putting on a great show comes with disciplined practice - something Morris picked up as an army bandmaster during a tour in Vietnam.

In rehearsal, band members are not allowed to talk. Or even cross their legs.

"You can't worry about the electric bill, the gas bill or water bill you have to think about what you're doing because the minute your mind starts to wander, he'll tell you, 'I can tell when your mind wanders,' " said band member Judy Bryant.

And Morris' love for sharing music shows. Band members don't pay any fees or even the cost of their uniforms. The "band room" picks up the tab.

"Giving back to the community is a valuable part because you never know what lives you're going to touch," said band member Ken Wood.

Older and young lives that Morris wants to reach out to.

"I wanna go into music when I graduate so getting this experience is amazing," said Heights student John Rehak.

"There's no one in this area, and I'll claim this, that loves band as much as I do or likes band and wants to have a good band program as Carlton R. Morris."

All types of musicians will gather at Barnegie Hall, Morris hopes that the gift of music will continue to spread for a lifetime across Central Texas.