Lawrence recalls career, concert in his honor is coming up

From 1959 to 1984 Don Lawrence was the band director at Columbia Falls High School. He left a legacy not only at the school, but with his musical arrangements across the region.

Lawrence founded the Columbians, the award-winning high school jazz band as well as the Don Lawrence Orchestra, which still plays today, though under new leadership.

Lawrence, now in his early 90s, grew up in the Flathead Valley after his family moved up here from South Dakota.

He started playing a beat-up baritone at the age of 6, but switched to trumpet, inheriting his brother’s horn.

He graduated from Flathead High School in 1947 and went to the University of Montana. He ended up in the Air Force, where he joined the marching band there. It was in the Air Force that he really got into writing arrangements. It also got him out of menial tasks, like cutting the lawn.

The day he retired from teaching he started the Don Lawrence Orchestra, renowned for its big band sound.

“I had time to do it right,” he said.

He was the front man of the band for 27 years, eventually turning it over to his son, Dave, who died in 2020. Today the band is run by Mollye Faulkner and Dana Scranton.

“They’re doing a pretty good job of keeping it going,” he said.

His favorite musician? He said he has soft spot for Woody Herman, particularly the song “Four Brothers.”

Over the years Lawrence said he’s written more than 100 arrangements and he still does today, even at the age of 93. He sits at a desk on his back porch and writes music.

“I write music according to my attitude,” he said with a smile.

But he no longer plays the trumpet — he recently had his two front teeth out, which makes it impossible to play the horn the way he wants to.

His late wife Barbara was also a great musical mind, he said. Her parents never encouraged her to play an instrument, but she still was a musical force said. They met when he was in Texas in the Air Force.

They were married for 69 years.

“She had a music streak in her that I didn’t have,” he said.

Lawrence is pleased that the Columbians and the tradition of good jazz music continue today under director Josh Forke.

“Josh is a good man. We’re lucky to have him. I gave him trombone lessons when he was in high school,” Lawrence said.

The Don Lawrence Orchestra will play a concert at Marantette Park from 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 10. The show will be a tribute to Lawrence and he will be honored by band members at the show. It’s sponsored by Glacier Bank and the Columbia Falls Lions Club.