1998 was a very bad year! The separation and divorce really took its toll on me as it would anyone. I secured a position in the Lancaster City Schools teaching Music K-6 and assisting with the HS Marching Band. The LHS "Band of Gold" was a fine organization and we were very successful. Teaching Elementary students didn't thrill me at all by I supplemented that regular position with directing High Schools Musicals, Marching Band and in my personal life.

One day, I was pretty down about my divorce situation but I decided to change my own fate. I called Dr. Paul Droste and asked him if there were any brass bands in the area that were looking for a cornet player. He mentioned the Scioto Valley Brass and Percussion Co. directed by Carol Hayward. I knew Carol from her days at Westland High School. I went to my first rehearsal and sat in the solo cornet row right next to a nice girl by the name of Lori Auman. The rehearsal/audition went very well and I was accepted into the fold very quickly. Summer concerts, meeting new people, learning more about central Ohio, picking up golf and living again- that was the summer of 1999-a good year. Lori and I starting dating and were married in the spring of 2002.

The job on the other hand was drudgery and not fulfilling. I began to get more into the music technology side which interested me very much. Our elementary classrooms at Lancaster City were equipped with the Yamaha Music In Education System and that improved my job situation very much. I really enjoyed teaching with technology and decided to get my Masters degree I educational technology from Boise State University. They offered a national recognized online program.

Almost like it was supposed to be this way; the year I was to receive my degree from BSU I got RIF'd from Lancaster City Schools. Very grim financial situation forced Lancaster City to let go 102 teachers including half of the music department. So my 18th year of teaching ended with doubt and anxiety but a hopeful outlook to the future.