Retirement Will Be Vandelicht’s New Job

As he began his final semester at Central Methodist University in January, longtime band director Skip Vandelicht, ’77, was getting teased for not having much of a retirement plan. He said it consisted of following his grandchildren’s sporting events.

But little did those who teased him know that he has a detailed plan. And it involves traveling next spring to Jupiter, Florida for a taste of St. Louis Cardinals spring training.

Vandelicht’s love of baseball and the Cardinals has gone on for decades, “but I never really got the chance to go to spring training. I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”

The fascination with spring training germinated over 20 years ago when he and a few CMU alumni had the opportunity to have lunch with Cardinals manager, Tony LaRussa.

Vandelicht clearly remembers LaRussa telling him and his buddies about a young rookie named Albert Pujols who “might just make the team” that year.

Pujols went on to be a star and is now headed for the Hall of Fame. Likewise, Vandelicht became one of CMU’s stars. Heading into retirement, he is himself already in two halls of fame – those of the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) and Missouri Bandmasters Association (MBA).

Vandelicht’s retirement plan will rival his work schedule. He and his wife, Melody, will solidify their role as star grandparents. He’ll continue to serve on the Fayette School Board, will mentor young teachers, do clinics with bands, and do some judging in both marching and concert band areas.

One might think that when the final days of the semester peeled off the calendar, the significance of no longer being a band director would sink in. It did.

“I truly love what I do, and I want to continue to give back to the profession when I retire,” he said. “And I want to hopefully be a mentor to other teachers like so many have been for me.”

He’s often thought about the legacy of the great Central band directors who have gone before him. Now, he gets to join that line of greatness.

“It’s not lost on me what I’ve been able to be a part of here,” Vandelicht said. “I’ve been a part of this place in some way, shape, or form for 50 years.

“I guess it will really sink in when I am outside on that first day the band is practicing and I hear them. That’ll be a little weird.”

Vandelicht’s simple goal all these years has been to “leave this place better than I found it. I think I’ll miss the kids the most.”

Time for the Vandelichts will be more than filled with a CMU student, Zane Rice, who has lived with them for several years, as well as their children, Matt Vandelicht and Adrian Stumbaugh, and their grandchildren’s sports and band performances. Two grandkids started band this year. And yes, Vandelicht already has been called to help with that.

“They think it’s kind of cool that I know about it,” he laughed. “And I have to tell them it’s my job.”

Vandelicht has done his job well, through all those years at Fayette High School and at Central. In fact, he fits nicely into the “beloved” category at CMU, along with legends like Keith House, ’49, the dean of Missouri band directors.

“Within the environment Skip has created, students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, fortify their work ethic, and be part of a community of scholar-musicians who often feel more like a family than a group of classmates,” said Dr. Dori Waggoner, ’92, dean of the Swinney Conservatory and chair of the Fine Arts Division. “Like many of the great directors who came before him, Skip set high expectations for his students, then helped them rise to the occasion.”