Director of Instrumental Music John Davis Conducts Final Concert

On Saturday, Riverview High School Instrumental Music presented their spring 2023 concert – The Finale: A Farewell to John Owen Davis II, bidding a loving and fond farewell to our beloved director Mr. Davis who is retiring from teaching after 31 years of service to public music education. The concert featured the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Chamber Strings and Concert Orchestra, with a special performance by the Symphony Orchestra.

In attendance, both as spectators and special guest performers, were alum who spanned the gamut of Mr. Davis’ career—from his first teaching job at Sandia High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to more recent stints preceding Riverview such as Seminole High School and Flanagan High School.

Mr. Davis’ students have gone on to be professional music educators themselves at every level—from elementary school to higher education—and many others perform, write and conduct full-time.

While many students choose not to pursue music in a professional capacity, one of Mr. Davis’ proudest achievements is the ability to still call his former Riverview students colleagues, as several alum have stayed with the Band Program after graduation as staff members.

Mr. Davis leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion and servant leadership; the mark that he has left on Riverview will endure for years to come. The concert ended with the formal introduction of Robert A. Luster, Riverview’s incoming director of instrumental music. We wish Mr. Davis immense happiness in his retirement and we welcome Mr. Luster and look forward to continuing the Riverview tradition of excellence!