It’s Hard To Say Goodbye

By Marija Ilic

(originally published in The Barbour Democrat)

The news hit hard Friday night. In the midst of celebrating football team making it to quarterfinals, we also learned that Victor Iapalucci will be leaving his position of band director, a position he has held for more than quarter of a century.

I remember fondly my first introduction to Philip Barbour Band some 20 plus years ago. There was a group of boys and girls performing during halftimes of Alderson Broaddus basketball games… and they were cool! Decked in white shirts and jeans and all sporting black sunglasses, the PB drumline would bring the fans at Rex Pyles Arena to their feet, and would always receive standing ovation.

Around the same time, the band was invited to represent the state of West Virginia at the unveiling of World War II memorial in Washington, DC, and cemented their status as “The Pride of Barbour County.”

And pride did they bring over the years. From parading the Main Streets in Philippi and Belington to streets of Chicago and promenade at Disney World, the band has taken the name of Barbour County far and wide, representing our community in the best possible way, showing everyone that being from small, rural community also means being strong, disciplined, and proud.

The kids that rarely ventured outside of the county have been able to earn that trip to Disney, go on Caribbean cruises, and visit places across the state and the country that they would never have a chance to if it weren’t for the band.

Mr. Iapalucci did not just make the band a musical powerhouse that won so many state accolades that we may need to build a whole new building just for the trophies. He created a culture of excellence by instilling in students discipline, work ethic, and accountability – skills that go far beyond the field.

He also brought enormous pride to the community. Many a times, I would see people who had no children or grandchildren in the school system line up along the streets to see the band in parades in town (and even traveling out of town!), and cheering loudly at the convoy of Colts. When band excelled, it meant the entire community excelled. And that is something they don’t give trophies for.

I think how I sat in front of TV and clapped when Mr. Iapalucci was on the screen during the Rose Parade and Macy’s parade, representing us on the biggest stages in the country as a part of Directors’ Band, and then hopping on social media where people shared the pictures of their TVs they took during the events. To see him on television was to see us on television. They don’t give the trophies for that either.

And all those articles about the band in our local newspaper? That was Mr. Iapalucci, too. He never failed to submit the stories about the kids’ successes, whether individual or as a group, and the editor-in-chief always made sure those stories were right on the front page – as they rightfully deserved it.

Speaking to the current members of the band revealed true impact Victor has left on these children. They are determined to continue to make him proud and exude the excellence he instilled in them, even after he leaves. One thing is for sure – his shoes will be hard to fill for whoever gets to step into them. Not impossible – because he has left a blueprint that will be hard to erase – but it will certainly require matching the level of quality the students are used to.

Even though he is leaving on the best note possible, and for personal reasons that cannot be argued with, it still does not make the news any easier to digest.

Mr. Iapalucci, thank you! From all of us. Thank you for showing not only students, but our entire community of what we are capable of when we work as a team, with the same goal in mind, and when we choose to not allow our circumstances define us. Your lessons have echoed across the entire Barbour County and will not be forgotten, and this place will always be your home.