Charlotte High band director accepted into US Army Band

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

Among the ranks of Charlotte High School's Silver King band, director Tommy Bunnens stands at the top.

While passion, at times, takes time to grow, for Bunnens, it was sparked in a single moment.

"I went to this concert by the Navy band, and I had never heard a band that good before. It just changed me fundamentally," Bunnens said.

Bunnen's dream of conducting a military band was born.

But, as an ensemble requires harmony, dreams require belief, and for Bunnens, belief was off-key.

"You age out at a certain point," Bunnens said.

While he may not see himself as talented enough, students see him as beyond measure.

"He is very intense," said band member Howard Nuzy. "It comes with love, and it comes with passion."

"He is just so confident up there and his knowledge of music is totally crazy," said band member Samuel Bretan.

Day by day, with encouragement from his students, Bunnens built the courage to give his dream a shot.

After rounds of auditions, his dream came true. Bunnens was accepted as a director into the United States Army Band.

"When I got to the final round, it was literally just a dream come true at that point," Bunnens said.

As he steps out of this classroom and steps into new ranks, Bunnens knows, at times, he may not remember to believe. But he also knows he'll never forget the ones who believed in him when he needed it most.

"Their willingness to grow with me. You can't put that into words. It's really cool," Bunnens said.

Bunnens said he will leave the Silver King band and join the U.S. Army Band in August.

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