[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he ping of an electronic metronome is music to the ears of Buda native Keith Lancaster.

From the moment he became drum major at Hays High years ago, a life in music education was Lancaster’s calling. 

Roughly 30 years, several stops and a UIL state marching championship later, Lancaster, who is the current head band director at Dripping Springs High, is now ready to hang up his baton.

While the 2017 marching season will be his own career finale, Lancaster aims to contin...