By Sara Casareto ’16

After the success of the 45th Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival show, music teacher Bill Evans can relax more as he nears his retirement at the end of the school year. Evans has worked at the school for 37 years as a teacher of choral music and music technology, as the past official department chair and current unofficial one for the music department, and as a director for Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival. The Warrior interviewed Evans on February 25, just eight days before opening night. Even at lunch, when there was no scheduled rehearsal there was a lot going on with volunteers painting the set and figuring out the lighting and effects needed for the stage, and students on stage practicing a Beatles’ medley.

It’s amazing that a music production has become such a big tradition at our school; what kept you so driven and passionate about the show? Thirty-seven years is a long time.

Yes, it is. You just have to continually try and grow yourself and bring it to the show. But what has kept me passionate is the increased involvement by more people; by more alumni, more parents, and more directors. We started out with just two people pretty much running the show, and now we are up to dozens of adults that make it happen.

How do you and all the other directors come up with these incredible and diverse themes year after year?

It’s a joint effort sometimes, like last year it was student Rachyl Hackett that came up with the theme “Dancing in the Streets.” This year “Turn, Turn, Turn” was my idea. When [former teacher] Mr. Orndorf was directing year after year, we would work together throwing ideas around. He would sometimes base it off the set. It’s changed over the years but the planning has usually been a collaborative effort of several people.

Throughout all of that time and work you must have created a lot of memories. This might be a tough one, but what’s one of the most memorable memories you have of Rock ‘n’ Roll?

I don’t know about a favorite moment but one of my most memorable Rock ‘n’ Roll moments was in the mid-80s, I showed up to the Sherwood Rock ‘n’ Roll matinée and there was the entire Montgomery County SWAT team parked right in the back parking lot. They were here to do a big drug bust in the area. I went back there, being in my 20s or so, and went right up to them saying, “You guys can’t be here we have thousands of people coming,” and they said, “Oh yes we can, we’re the Montgomery County SWAT team.” They then asked, “Well what time’s your show” and I said, “It’s at two o’clock.” “Oh well we’ll be gone by then.” They went around to the upper Montgomery County area and arrested about 20 or 30 people. That was the weirdest story for sure.”

A lot of the kids in Rock ‘n’ Roll are also your students in school, either in a choir or in your electronic music class. What’s it like working with them outside of the classroom?

It is quite different, especially when you travel with students or take students on field trips or have them for Rock ‘n’ Roll. You get a chance to know more about their personal habits. They have to show up for rehearsals, they have to be responsible in a different way than they do in school.

After this year, do you plan on helping out with the choirs or with Rock ‘n’ Roll?

No, I’ll really only come to see the shows.

What has it been like working with Alex Silverbook and Mike Maddox?

Fantastic. It’s great to see them take over. Mr. Silverbook is now in his sixteenth year. He’s built the program up so much and done a great job. Mr. Maddox is learning the ropes and running the rehearsals down here on stage and doing a fabulous job.

Do you feel that these two are ready to take the helm on Rock ‘n’ Roll and the music department next year?

Most definitely, I’m not doing that much at all this year. I’m just sitting back and smiling.