Summer is spent on show

For most of his daughter Katy’s life and all of his son Tayler’s, Kelly Smeltzer has been a Jay County band leader.
This summer, for the first time, the three of them are all part of the Marching Patriots together.
Kelly is Jay County High School’s band director, and Katy, a senior, plays the mellophone. Tayler, an East Jay Middle School eighth grader, is involved with the props.
It’s been especially nice, Kelly said, to have both of his children with him, because for years he missed out on parts of their lives because of his time spent with the band.
“It’s been nice to really get the family involved and have them be a part of my every day life,” he said. “You only get one chance with your kids growing up, and I really appreciate the fact that I get to spend a lot of time with my kids every day.”
For as long as the “little Smeltzers” can remember, summer has been about band.
Kelly took over as director in 2005 after longtime leader Dave Humbert retired.
He had served as assistant director for eight years before that.
“It’s pretty normal to me,” said Katy, who is a section leader for the first time this year. “This is all I’ve ever known. Dad has band. That’s our summer. Track show is our summer.
“But being in it, I think I understand a little bit more about how much time he puts in and why he needs to. … It makes me appreciate it probably a little bit more.”
Tayler’s role is behind the scenes, literally.
His No. 1 job for the show is turning the mural (see related story) to display the amber waves of grain. He is also part of the crew that hauls the stage for the woodwind section onto the track.
“I think it’s a good experience for me because I get to see more what the band is like,” said Tayler.
The only Smeltzer not on the track during the show — Kelly’s wife Jamie — still has plenty of involvement. She’s a frequent visitor to practice and is a regular at Muncie Music Center, taking equipment back-and-forth to the music store and repair shop as needed.
She’s especially looking forward to being in the stands this year to cheer on Kelly, Katy and Tayler.
“It’ll be fun,” Jamie said. “I’m excited about this show. I’m excited Tayler gets a little bit of that experience of being on the track. … It’s a neat experience. … It’ll be fun to watch them all.”
Although Katy could return next year in a “super senior” role, the possibility of Saturday’s performance being her last at the Indiana State Fair with the band, and most importantly her dad, is bitter sweet.
“I always end up crying, especially when I see dad. He has tears in his eyes too,” she said. “I guess I’m just going to make the most of it, make it count. It’s been an amazing four years.”