This Sunday, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise Highland Winds Band will play the world premiere of a newly commissioned tribute concert to honor former long-time Galax High School Band Director Don Knox.
The spring concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 4 p.m. at the College’s David J. Prior Convocation Center on Sunday, April 16.
Knox, who passed away in 2022, taught at Galax City Schools from 1967 to 1976. He began his career at Ft. Chiswell High School, and, in 1976, went to work for the U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Overseas School System for two years in Turkey and six years in Italy. In 1986, Knox returned to the U.S. and taught music at Radford, Va., public schools. A year later he began serving as a guidance counselor there until he retired in 1996.
UVA Wise Director of Bands Richard Galyean became one of Knox’s band students in the fifth grade, and it was in those classes where he found his lifelong passion for music.
“Mr. Knox’s bands at Galax—whether concert, marching or Jazz—were always outstanding. He made an impact on all of his students, especially me. His influence on me was why I chose a career in music that has now eclipsed 40 years,” Galyean said. “I wanted to honor him in only the way I knew how.”
Galyean reached out to Knox’s wife, Melba, to find out what his favorite types of music were.
He then asked Jason Bailey, UVA Wise marching band instructor and band assistant, to write the “Don Knox Tribute,” featuring his favorite songs—“Born Free,” “St. Louis’ Blues” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
“I was honored and humbled to arrange and compose a suite of pieces in Knox’s honor. My band director from John I. Burton High School, Buddy Stewart, was and still is a great influence on me as an educator and a musician, just as Mr. Knox was for Galyean. I hope these pieces will pay a fitting tribute to Mr. Knox’s career,” Bailey said.
The concert will also include an additional original work composed by Bailey.
Knox’s wife and children are expected to attend and former Galax High School alumni have been invited to attend the event.
