Mixed feelings fill the band hall as the school year comes to an end and summer band camp draws closer. The source of emotions comes from the fact that the head band director, Jeff Jahnke, is leaving. The position is to be filled by former Mansfield Timberview director Paul Heuer.

“Mr. Heuer has a history of success, both in marching band and concert band in each of his previous band positions around the metroplex,” symphonic band director Daniel King said. “He has already shown a great deal of excitement to start working in Lovejoy and I know he can’t wait to get started. I have no doubt that he is the right person to transform the Lovejoy band program moving forward.”

Many band students are looking forward to what the new director can bring.

“I think he’ll introduce a lot of new ways of teaching that we’ve never seen before,” rising junior Megan Hamilton said. “I think that it will really help us learn a lot. I also believe that we’ll advance further in competitions. I think that the judges will see the changes he brings to the band and that will help us stand out and be more memorable.”

Even Mr. Heuer himself is excited to begin work at the school.

“I am very excited to get to work in Lovejoy ISD,” Heuer said. “I worked close by in Wylie for a number of years and have always seen Lovejoy High School as a pace of great potential. I am currently working on putting a great show together for the fall season and am excited to get to work with all my new students. The new year cannot get here soon enough for me.”

However, even though the students are eager for the new director, many are sad to seem Jahnke leaving.

“Mr. Jahnke was a great director,” rising junior Brady Duke said. “I’ve been his student for five years and he’s just always been my director and a part of my band life. In the time that he’s been here I think he has benefited the program and helped it to grow. It’s sad because it’s a main part of our program leaving.”

Along with Heuer, another new face will be joining the ranks to fill the position of color guard director.

“I’m really excited for the our new choreographer  because I think he’s going to do a lot of great things,” rising junior Leta Sullivan said. “We’ve already meet him and held our auditions so we’ve experienced his teaching style. I think Mr. Augustine expects a lot more of us and so we are going to push ourselves harder in order to impress him.”