Despite the departure of Centerville Senior High School’s band director, the Blue Regiment will still compete at Indiana State Fair.
Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ board approved director Jonathan Lucy’s resignation at its Wednesday, May 21, meeting. He won’t return after the band plays at graduation.
In a letter to parents and families shared with Western Wayne News, Lucy said he decided after much reflection to step away from teaching junior and senior high school students to be more present with his family.
He said his decision has nothing to do with students, and it’s because of them that the choice is so difficult.
“Centerville’s students are the heartbeat of this program,” Lucy wrote. “Directors can come and go, but it’s the students who make the music, bring the energy and carry the program forward. That will not change after I leave. I believe deeply in the talent, drive and heart of these young people, and I know they will continue to accomplish amazing things.”
Lucy, a graduate of Miami (Ohio) and Ball State universities, previously taught at Richmond Community Schools and Fort Frye Local School District in Beverly, Ohio.
During his past three years in Centerville, Lucy said he’d seen the program grow and accomplish “so much.”
Blue Regiment has remained AA Class Champions at Indiana State Fair Band Day for 11 consecutive years.
This will be Centerville’s 35th overall and 34th consecutive Band Day appearance.
Recent successes at the state fair have been part of the band’s culture. Centerville was the runner-up in 2021.
The Blue Regiment has placed in the top 16 in 29 appearances, the top 10 in 24 appearances, and the top five 15 times. In addition, Lucy said he was proud to have a beginning band of more than 50 students and offer moving and entertaining concerts across all grade levels.
He thanked CACS families for trusting him with their children’s music education, and he said he’ll carry those memories and experiences with him forever.
At the same meeting, board members also approved new roles for several previous assistants who will continue summer band instruction.
Emily Arndt moves from assistant director to interim director. Tristan Migoski, a previous assistant, becomes summer assistant director. Pay for another assistant, Ashtyn Miles, will now come from CACS instead of the Music Boosters.
Lucy called Arndt “an amazing teacher and leader,” noting she’s responsible for so much of students’ visual success. He also praised Migoski’s teaching of woodwinds and students in grades K-6.
“This will give the school the needed time to find an amazing director for your students,” Lucy wrote.
CACS has posted the teaching position online with an 8 p.m. May 30 deadline.
A version of this article appeared in the May 28 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.