Not many experiences could top what the members of the West Johnston High School band went through last Thanksgiving when they were chosen to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. This year’s Thanksgiving, however, was not so celebratory, as band members learned of the sudden resignation of their band director, M. Lance Britt.

According to public information officer Terri Sessoms, Britt submitted his resignation to the school on Nov. 20. The band parents and students learned the news on Nov. 22 through an e-mail from Britt, who has been the band director since the school opened in 2002. The administration then met with the band students on Monday, Nov. 23 to discuss the situation.

“I was definitely shocked,” said Travis Nelson, whose son Allias plays in the band. “My son’s relationship with Mr. Britt was one of the things that pushed him into coming back next year. [Britt] had a good relationship with a lot of the kids, and that’s probably why I was so surprised.”

Nelson wasn’t the only one taken aback. Britt’s decision took many by surprise, coming just days after the band returned victorious from the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indiana, having placed third in their class, their highest showing ever.

On Nov. 3, Britt was charged by the highway patrol in Johnston County for driving a vehicle without insurance.

Although it is unclear why Britt was initially stopped by Trooper J.L. Thorpe, he was told to either call a cab or a tow truck, not to drive his vehicle.

According to reports, within a span of 10 minutes, Trooper Thorpe spotted Britt driving and stopped him again. Following procedure, Britt was charged.

His arrest wound to a quiet conclusion. He was place under a $1,000 bond, which he posted, and was reportedly cooperative and polite with authorities.

An online check of records, including the state of Mississippi, where Britt attended Mississippi State University earning his Bachelor's Degree Cum Laude in Music, and Northwestern University for his Master's in Music, showed no criminal past.

According to Sessoms, Britt’s arrest would not necessarily have led to him being let go from his position, if that was indeed an influence on his decision.

“Those issues are looked at on a case by case basis,” she said.

Although news of the arrest may come as surprising, for most parents and students, it doesn’t alter their perceptions of the director.

“It doesn’t change anything as far as his character goes. It wasn’t a preconceived criminal activity, and it doesn’t change my assessment as to whether he’s a good band director,” said Nelson. “It’s sad – we wish he could have stayed and dealt with whatever issues he had, but people have things that change in their lives, and we have to move on.”

According to Allias, the students are doing just that. This was Allias’ first year in the band. After attending the high school band camp over the summer, he says he saw how much fun the band had and was eager to find out what they could accomplish.

“The people in the band and the directors are the best. They make band a lot easier for me and just inspire me to do better,” he said. “We were all really upset about the news at first, but after a couple of days, we started getting more enthusiastic because we realized we have enough talent to move on. We have great assistant directors who can keep pushing us to do better.”

And it’s those assistant directors who have taken the helm for the time being. David Duffy and Garrett Griffin are co-directing the band until a new band director is named. All that’s remaining for the band this year are performances in local Christmas parades. Then in 2010, the band will continue as a class and compete in all-district and all-county competitions.

The school is currently looking for a new director and hope to have one in place “as soon as possible,” said Sessoms.

And when it comes to the new band director, there are high hopes for the new leadership.

“I would want someone who wants to push us like Mr. Britt did, to make us even better, who believes in us and knows that we are a talented band and we can accomplish anything we want to if we put forth the effort,” said Allias. “We have good leaders right now, and we just have to keep moving on and have the self-confidence to push forward and be amazing.”

Nelson agreed that the band certainly still has the talent.

“They are probably the best marching band in North Carolina,” he said. “I’d like to see the school recognize the accomplishments the band has had and seek somebody else that can work well with the current directors there. I hope the new director will be able to regain the confidence of the students and let them know they’ll be expected to compete at the highest level next year, but to help them enjoy the experience as well. I just want the kids to compete and have confidence in themselves and know what they’re capable of.”

If they forget, they certainly have an impressive record to look back on. Along with marching in the Macy’s parade, they also participated in the 55th Presidential Inaugural Parade as the only band from NC and have consistently ranked high in both local and national competitions.

“Being in band has been an amazing experience,” said Allias. “Mr. Britt was a pretty inspirational character in my life. He was there for our life and our band life. He told us we were all family, and I’m glad he was there for the year I was. The band is like a family, and we know if we all believe together we can achieve very high standards.”

You can catch the marching band performing in the Clayton Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 12. The parade begins in downtown Clayton at 3 p.m. For more information on the bands at West Johnston, visit wjhsbands.org.