MUSKEGON, Michigan — Chuck Hodson is retiring after leading the Reeths-Puffer High School marching band for 29 years. In his time as the band director, Reeths-Puffer won 15 state championships.
Sunday, Hodson conducted his last concert.
The retirement concert included the world premiere of a piece of music that was commissioned by supporters to honor Hodson's career. The composer of the piece, Scott Boerma the director of bands at Western Michigan University, attended the show.
During the month of April, Hodson created a digital history of the Reeths-Puffer band by posting on his Facebook page every day with memories from being the director. Each post was dedicated to a school year, starting with the 1990-91 year.
"It's been an exciting build up to today, and I can't wait to get out there and perform," Hodson said before the show.
Additionally, the Reeths-Puffer Alumni Legacy Fund was announced at the concert. The fund was the brainchild of Hodson and a group of alumni to help offset costs for students who want to participate in the band program.
"Music education is a hugely important thing for kids," Hodson said. "It gets them to think critically and physically at the same time...it trains your brain to think better."
Hodson served as the band director for Reeths-Puffer nearly three decades and has been a public school band director for 37 years. He is going to continue to be involved with high school bands as the executive director of the Michigan Competing Band Association.
"It's such a rewarding thing to see so many [students] doing so many great things," Hodson said. "To hear what they have to say about the experiences they had in high school and how they value what we did together, that's pretty special."
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