John Miller

was approached to conduct the Peachtree Wind Ensemble by accident, but

after working with the group since January it is apparent to the members

of the ensemble that he deserves to be there.

The wind ensemble

lost long time conductor Bob Lancette to illness last year and Mariano

Pancetti, the group's interim conductor, to an increasingly busy schedule

as a faculty member at West Georgia College. Group members tried to track

down John Miller, a man who assisted with the group for a number of years

under Lancette.

"One day

I got a phone call asking for John Miller the band director," said

Miller. "I said, yes, but not the one you're looking for."

Miller told

the man about his background, which included being the band director for

the Navy when he was stationed in Pensacola, Fla., as well as time as

a music educator. Eventually, Miller was asked to take over drecting duties

and the results have been harmonious.

Currently,

the Peachtree Wind Ensemble has 35 members, but it is rare that all members

are under one roof rehearsing at the same time. The group meets every

Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Fayette Family YMCA. They have recently

performed at the Peachtree City Memorial Day activities, the Old Courthouse

Art Show and the Armed Forces Tribute at Stonewall Village. This summer

they will play the Peachtree City Fourth of July show as well as a show

at a local assisted living facility and perhaps some picnic concerts at

local parks.

"This

is an incredibly talented group," said Miller. "There is an

incredible reservoir of talent on the Southside."

Miller should

be a good judge of talent. He got his bachelor's degree in voice at MacMurray

College in illinois and played french horn and baritone in the college

band. He got his master's degree in music at Southern Methodist University.

In the Navy, he conducted a band of 40 people and then taught music for

a year after his stint in the service.

For the next

30 years Miller played music in a volunteer capacity with churches. Miller

was also a DJ for a classical music station through college and has also

spent time as a news anchor and music director for Channel 3 in Pensacola.

Miller has

lived in Fayette County for 20 years with his wife, Mistene, and daughter,

Kathy.

While the wind

ensemble plays a lot of military and Americana music, Miller hopes to

introduce some new songs to the repertoire, including more pieces that

are written specifically for wind ensembles instead of pieces that have

been adapated for wind ensembles. The group is open to anyone that has

played a wind instrument and Miller's goal is to see the group's numbers

increase to over 50 people.

"I would

recommend the group to advanced high school band students who want to

keep their skills sharp over the summer, as well as to school band directors

to keep their hands-on skills sharp by being part of an ensemble,"

said Miller. "Everyone is welcome, from ex-pros to people who will

never be pros."

Miller also

stated that the group is in desperate need of percussionists. "I

would like to see four, strong music reading percussionists because now

we have parts of pieces that are not being performed." Other things

Miller would like to see happen under his watch are the obtaining of a

portable band shell, a calendar of events on the group's Web site and

a Web site. "I'm seeking someone who can help us get a Web site going."

Miller stated

that "it has been a joy and a challenge following in the steps of

Bob Lancette." Miller would like to make the band as good as possible

with limited rehearsal times, adding, "And I think that can be pretty

darn good."

Audiences can

judge for themselves July 4 when the wind ensemble performs before the

Peachtree City fireworks. For more information on the Peachtree Wind Ensemble,

phone 770-964-7047.