For Chris Roberts, 1986 QHS Valedictorian, returning to Bud Moody Stadium with his trumpet in hand was a déjà vu moment. Mr. Roberts led the crowd with his traditional rendition of the National Anthem prior to the Homecoming game’s kickoff. Roberts admits to feeling a little bit of “nervous energy” but said that he “settled in when I could hear the crowd singing along about halfway through.” Roberts added that “many sports teams have superstitions about how they play when a particular person does the anthem, so I will be happy to return anytime Coach Webber needs a guaranteed win.”
This isn’t the first time Roberts has led a crowd in the National Anthem, having played before Texas Rangers and Frisco Roughriders games in the past. He also once played the National Anthem at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, AR, with then-governor Bill Clinton in attendance.
Prior to playing last Friday night, Roberts took a few minutes to speak with current QHS band members. Roberts gave the students a signed book he wrote entitled “How to Make First Chair.” This is a book Roberts wishes he had had access to when he was a student at QHS. He hoped that the book can fill in some gaps for students here since it is a challenge to find private instruction and opportunities to play. Roberts left the book with the intention that it be utilized as a guide "to show students that they can still achieve at a high level no matter what environment they're a part of." The book is available in the band hall for any of the students to check out and read. Roberts said he felt that it was a “full circle” sort of moment when he delivered the book to the band.
While speaking with the students, he explained to them that the 1986 Sweepstakes trophy that they walk by in the trophy case all the time has special meaning to him. Roberts and his fellow band members won Sweepstakes in 1986 after an 11-year Sweepstakes drought. Roberts explained to the students that the trophy represented “lots of hours and lots of teamwork.” He also let the kids know that he supported them and was “rooting for them” this year as they head into contest season.
Assistant band director Chace LeBlanc enjoyed Robert's visit with the students and said that "it was wonderful to see an alumnus of the organization who has gone so far in life on his instrument be able to relate to the young students of this town." LeBlanc further added that he hoped that Robert's talk gave students "the encouragement and realization that you don't have to be from a wealthy or 'privileged' school or town in order to achieve success in life. Rather, success comes from drive, determination, and focused effort."