Springville High: Bryan "Doc" Tobler

Nebo District

Bryan "Doc" Tobler, Springville High

SPRINGVILLE — When Bryan "Doc" Tobler began teaching at Springville High School, the band was poorly funded and had only 11 students.

Thirty-three years later — last spring — Tobler retired from Nebo School District and received its Teacher of the Year award. He received a standing ovation from district employees for his performance in heading one of the state's strongest band programs. His students had won countless awards and a trip to Washington, D.C., for a presidential inauguration.

Tobler, who is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tennessee, is remembered for his dedication to improving the band, which won countless state and national awards.

He worked his students hard, and he worked himself harder. Practices were at 6:30 a.m. The band played at store grand openings, athletic events and parades. In addition to teaching duties, Tobler was engaged in music education research. He could cite numerous studies correlating the relationship between music and math education, or music and biology education. Tobler has seen his students become city mayors, doctors and musicians.

The band was asked to play in Washington, D.C., for President Reagan's second inauguration in 1985. The weather was so cold the students couldn't march in the inaugural parade, but they played at another ceremony marking the occasion.