When Randy Folsom stepped into Fort Walton Beach High School as an assistant band director in 1988, he inherited more than just a job – he became the student of a master teacher who would go on to help shape not only his career, but his life.
- Ernest Hebson had built the Viking Band program from the ground up when the school opened in 1969, establishing a foundation of excellence that attracted Folsom’s attention. Working under Hebson’s guidance became transformative.
“To me, he’s like a second father,” Folsom said in 2023 about his mentor. That relationship would influence his approach to teaching and his commitment to continuing a tradition that would span his next three decades and continue to line the walls of the Viking band room with trophies.
Now, 35 years later, Folsom’s induction into the Viking Hall of Fame on Friday, October 3, offers the community a long-overdue opportunity to celebrate a man whose dedication continued to keep the Viking Band program recognized at a national level.
“My greatest accomplishment was just to continue it,” Folsom said on taking over the program when Hebson retired. “When I took over, we were one of the top bands in the country. The biggest thing you’re worried about at first is just making sure it continues that way because the expectations from the community and from the previous director were pretty high.”
When Hebson retired in 1999, Folsom became only the second Director of Bands in the school’s history — a role he approached with quiet determination.
- “You don’t want to be the one to drop the ball,” Folsom reflected.
He didn’t.
Under Folsom’s leadership, the Viking band consistently earned superior ratings at district, state and national events. The program performed at prestigious venues including the Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary Celebration and the National Band Festival at Carnegie Hall.
“That was a real thrill because it’s a historic venue to play in and the judges that we had were three of the most prominent band adjudicators in the country,” Folsom said of the Carnegie Hall performance. “It was a real thrill to be able to talk to them about the performance and for them to have such positive comments about the things that we were doing.”
Derek Fields, who played percussion in the Viking Band from 2000 to 2004 and now serves as the program’s third director, remembers the musical excellence that defined those years.
- “I’ll never forget the unbelievable music we were able to perform in those years with the Symphonic Band,” Fields said. “As a percussionist sitting in the back of the room, Mr. Folsom selected music that pulled at your heart-strings and I was all in on that.”
Folsom’s approach centered on consistent daily improvement and challenging students with college-level sheets. His teaching style was direct and methodical, according to Fields, who worked alongside his former teacher as associate director before taking over the program.
“He knew what needed to get done every rehearsal and how to develop the players of the ensemble individually to reach musical goals,” Fields said. “Part of what made him so effective as an educator was that he was also part of the musical development and put in the same work that he demanded of his students.”
The foundation of the program’s success rested on individual instruction and small group coaching. “Teaching kids individually and in small groups was one of the biggest things,” Folsom explained when asked about maintaining the program’s streak of superior ratings year after year.
That personal attention extended beyond technical instruction. Behind the high expectations was unwavering support. Fields recalls how Folsom ‘never held grudges’ despite repeated mistakes.
- “No matter how many times we would make mistakes, Mr. Folsom never held a grudge…ever,” Fields said of his time as a student. “He was always there for us, giving us another chance to do better and expecting us to do better.”
Folsom’s approach to recognition was equally intentional. Rather than offering praise for every small step, he saved his celebration for the big moments.
“I wasn’t big on praising people for incremental achievements, but when they would perform really well, I made a big deal out of it,” Folsom explained. “And they could tell they deserved it.”
The Viking Band became truly a family affair for the Folsoms. His wife Gail worked at the school in various positions including teacher, staffing specialist, testing coordinator and dean of students.
The couple often worked side by side. After long school days, they would take a quick nap at the house before returning to the school that night either for rehearsals or to work more.
“She worked about the same hours I did, if not more,” Folsom said of his wife’s dedication to the school.
Their sons Wade and Grant were also no strangers to the band world. From the early days, they were regulars at rehearsals, football games and band trips. As they boys entered high school, Folsom was blessed with the opportunity to have them as Viking Band members.
- “Having us all there at the same time was nice,” Folsom said. “And to see Wade and Grant go through with us was just really great.”
This family-centered approach continues today under Fields’ leadership. His wife Jamie serves as the school’s color guard director, bringing her own impressive background to the program. After moving to Fort Walton Beach in 2012, she began coaching the school’s color guard, adding another layer to the program’s family atmosphere.
Folsom’s influence extended far beyond Fort Walton Beach. He served as president of the Florida Bandmasters Association and received numerous honors including the FBA Oliver Hobbs Award in 2006 and induction into the FBA Hall of Fame in 2011 – while still actively teaching.
“It is probably the biggest honor somebody in Florida can have – being a part of the FBA Hall of Fame – because there’s really not that many people in it,” Folsom said. “When they ask you to be part of their group, you feel honored and humbled at the same time.”
Perhaps his greatest legacy lies in the students who followed his path into music education. Several of his former students now serve as band directors in Okaloosa County, including Tyler Wilson, who returned to Fort Walton Beach as an assistant director.
- “It means a great deal that they would go through what we went through and still love it,” Folsom said of his former students who became educators. “I think they could see that we were having fun even though it was hard work.”
Fields embodies this continuation of excellence, having learned not just musical skills but life lessons from his former director.
“There are so many great qualities that Mr. Folsom shared with all of us,” Fields said. “First off, I think he and Mrs. Folsom are two of the best humans you can ever meet. They both provided so much love and support to the students in the Viking Band that they really made it feel more like a family.”
When the Folsoms retired together in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented what Fields says was a ‘proper celebration’ their careers deserved. He says this Hall of Fame induction helps fill that void.
- “It was unfortunate that we couldn’t properly celebrate them in 2020 upon their retirement, so this is a nice celebration and a way to show them again how much we love them, and how much they mean to Fort Walton Beach High School and our communities,” Fields said.
Even in retirement (when not golfing), Folsom continues supporting music education, helping bands at Gulf Breeze, Navarre and returning to Fort Walton Beach when needed. His relationship with Fields remains strong, with regular conversations about the program’s continued success.
“They’re already doing it. They’re just continuing to do what we have always done..and that’s all I ask,” Folsom said of the current program under Fields’ leadership.
For Folsom, the Hall of Fame recognition brings immediate thoughts of gratitude rather than personal achievement.
“The first thing I think about is all of the people who helped us do what we did,” he said. “From the parents to just how hard the kids worked. Our school administration was good to give us leeway to do what we needed to do. It was just a great situation.”
Looking back on 32 years of shaping young musicians, Folsom finds satisfaction in the simple knowledge of a job well done.
- “Just to be able to look back on everything and know that we did a good job is enough for me,” he said.
On October 3, Folsom will be inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame alongside Barbara Britt, who spent 36 years developing leadership and physical education programs, and Kevin Craig, who transformed Fort Walton Beach Lady Vikings basketball from infancy to state powerhouse.
One Response
Mr. Folsom, You are always remembered for the artistic skills you taught my son, John Lithgow. Those days in the Marching and Jazz Band were fond memories for me as I watched John enjoy such great band years and gain everlasting friendships. Thank you for all you do. Congratulations on being inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame.