High school bands get back into the swing
A line of teenagers stood along the edge of the field, watching four teens square off with a man, loud tapping filling the air. The man counted out, and they were moving, their steps almost even and on beat. Even though it was still fairly early in the day, everyone was coated in a layer of perspiration, with rosy cheeks from the heat and the workout.
With the instruments of various sizes, the counting, the tapping, it could only mean one thing.
Marching band season has arrived. And with five out of six bands in the region starting with brand new directors, change is in the air.
Chandler High School Band Director Zac Fisher may be new, but he was certainly hitting the ground running at their band camp, held from July 29 to Aug. 2.
“They’ve been doing very well. We’ve just been working on a lot of fundamental things. Getting all the basics down and trying to incorporate some drills, almost like a football team or a basketball team drills,” he said.
He added that next week, he’s hoping to start teaching the band’s routine for the year, which he calls “The Raven.” It’s an Edgar Allen Poe-inspired piece that Fisher said the students were excited about. He’s wanted to do this theme for quite a while and feels Chandler is the band to do it.
“I think that this band is going to be really, really talented based on who’s returning and how they did last year. So I think this is going to be really fun,” he said.
While The Pride of Chandler will be attending their usual competitions—The Ironhead Invitational, Blue and Grey Marching Classic, and OSSAA Regionals— Fisher is adding one new one: the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association’s State Marching Band Championship. This is on top of performing at every home game and going to every away game, save one.
Fisher said while his goal this season is to be successful, it’s not necessarily about winning. More than anything, he wants his students to have really impactful interactions with music.
For the new director at Prague High School, Trevor Harrold, this year is about having The Pride of Prague be seen and heard as much as possible.
“The marching band program, historically, they have an incredible reputation,” Harrold said. “I’ve been speaking with community members, the administrators across the district in the various buildings, and it’s very apparent that band is a very important thing in Prague.”
This is Harrold’s first position as the main director. For about a year and a half, he taught at the junior high level and was an assistant for the band at North Classen High School in Oklahoma City. He said he’s excited to be in Prague and put his talents to work in a different way.
The Pride of Prague kicked off band camp on Aug. 5, though Harrold spent the week before working with the drumline. He also has the band’s theme and music picked out. In addition to their usual half-time shows, the band will be competing at the Ironhead Invitational in Eufala, the Oklahoma State Fair Band Day Parade, and OSSAA Regionals.
“My goal with this camp is I want to have a really strong foundation. I want them to feel closer as a group,” he said. “I want to instill in them this idea that they can succeed and… we’re just as good as our planning and how much effort we put it.”
Building on a strong foundation is at the center of Tony Thoma’s plan for the Pride of Meeker this year, his second as director. He said last year, he focused more on building a relationship with his students, but this year, it’s time to grit down.
“This year, we’ve spent more time outside... Our band camp is longer,” Thoma said. “It’s really interesting, just the different kind of approach we’re taking into the season.”
The marching band has grown, with roughly 34 members compared to 28 last year. Thoma hopes to continue growing the program and improving it, though he’s not necessarily after trophies. It’s about the students being more comfortable, having more fun, and finding ways to improve themselves in the band and in the classroom.
Thoma said the band’s theme this year is “Things That Go Bump in the Dark.” Or Night. He hadn’t settled on the exact wording. The piece includes music from “E.T.,” John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” and “The Phantom of the Opera.”
He also credits this year’s drum major, Mallory Blankenship, with coming up with the idea.
“They love it... It’s amazing how encouraged these kids are just coming straight off summer vacation,” Thoma said. “They’re ready. They’re ready to make improvements.”
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series previewing marching band season.