- April 25, 2024
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OBMS Band Director Sonya Shearer takes a photo of Walter Bailey and his family in front of the current OBMS band during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Matthew Hauch plays the clarinet during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
OBMS Band Director Sonya Shearer speaks during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Colt Trudel plays the tuba during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Alison Shelton and Matt Peterson play during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Emma Castells plays clarinet during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Logan Washington, dressed as a Jedi, defeats Darth Vader (Collin Chase) during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17 as the band plays "Star Wars." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Scout Clements plays the flute during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ivan Iorgulescu and Kyler Noel make a cameo appearance during the OBMS beginner band's performance of "Surfin' USA" on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kyler Noel plays a euphonium solo during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Symphonic Band stands after playing during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The OBMS Concert Band plays during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jacob Jennings and Collin Chase sword fight as the OBMS Concert Band plays "Pirates of the Caribbean" during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Walter Bailey waves to the crowd during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Walter Bailey is surprised with an OBMS band sweatshirt, engraved with "Uncle Fuzzy" on the lapel. On stage with him are Band Director Sonya Shearer, his daughters Erin and Kristen Bailey, wife Donna Bailey and Band Board President Marianne Burley. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Walter Bailey points to his former student and now City Commissioner Harold Briley as he presents him with a proclamation during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Harold Briley reads a proclamation for his former band director at OBMS, Walter Bailey, during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Harold Briley shakes Walter Bailey's hand during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Harold Briley smiles with Walter Bailey, former OBMS band director, as he receives a standing ovation during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Walter Bailey salutes the crowd during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Harold Briley presents Walter Bailey with a key to the city during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Former OBMS Band Director Walter Bailey presents current OBMS Band Director Sonya Shearer with the hoodie his band gave him 30 years ago. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Parker Beach plays the flute during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Matt Peterson, Britt Prewitt and James Monahan play during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ryan Burley and Chris Ward play during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ryan Burley, Georgios Mahairas and Lawrence Rolle play during the jazz band portion of the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The OBMS Jazz Band plays during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ryan Burley, Georgios Mahairas and Lawrence Rolle make up the rhythm section of the OBMS Jazz Band. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Sam Garewal plays a solo on alto saxophone during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ivan Iorgulescu plays a trumpet solo during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Zane Broderick plays alto sax during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Logan Washington plays a trumpet solo during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kyler Noel plays trombone in the OBMS Jazz Band during the OBMS Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 17. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach Middle School Bands paid tribute to longtime former band director Walter Bailey on Wednesday, May 17, with a special tribute concert in his honor.
The concert, themed “The Stars Come Out at Night,” was held at the Seabreeze High School Auditorium and attended by many of Bailey’s former students as well as current band students’ families and local band directors, both current and former, like band directors Earl Williams, of Mainland High School, and Dave Smith, of Seabreeze High School, who taught during the same decades as Bailey.
Bailey was the band director of OBMS (formerly known as Ormond Beach Junior High) from 1966-1997. When the Observer asked what he liked about being a band director, Bailey, 81, said, “It was always about the students.”
Bailey was presented with a new OBMS band sweatshirt with his nickname, “Uncle Fuzzy,” emblazoned on the lapel. In turn, he gave current OBMS Band Director Sonya Shearer the hoodie his students gave him over 30 years ago.
Bailey also received a proclamation and key to the city from City Commissioner Harold Briley, who played trumpet in Bailey’s band 38 years ago.
“He is a legend,” Briley said during the concert. “It’s an honor for me to be here tonight to present you, Mr. Bailey, with this proclamation from the city of Ormond Beach.”
