Beech High Bucanneer Brigade | Marching Band 2016
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Obist Kendall, of Miss Musical Dreams Youtube fame, performing in the first home game halftime show
I asked some of the members and directors of the Beech High School Marching Band in Hendersonville, Tn to give me quotes about what band does and brings to their lives and community. So much research has been done again recently on the positive benefit of music to lives and character everyday, and specifically its relationship between academic performance and cognitive ability.
So what is it about this crazy marching band life that appeals to folks anyway?
“Well marching band has been a huge part of my life for 5 years now, and anyone that knows anything about band knows that it certainly takes up a ton of your time, but I feel the time I have spent marching has been better spent doing what I love and am passionate about rather than something else that will not benefit me outside of high school. I’ve learned a lot more than how to march and play at the same time, both as leading and following. I find unique perspective in knowing what it like to be a first year nobody and what it’s like to be the drum major. Band has certainly taught me how to be a part of something bigger than just individual people doing one thing, learning how to work together to achieve a common goal is extremely important, especially as society evolves in a way that, in a way, discourages face to face interaction. I feel that without the experiences I had with the Brigade, I wouldn’t have had the same skill set that makes me more likely to be successful. In a society where the arts are frequently forgotten or neglected, the lessons learned from being in an ensemble like that are increasingly rare and valuable. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have been offered because of marching band and I think anyone would benefit greatly from doing any sort of music, marching band especially.”
“Our last competition...it’s like Christmas, but a whole lot more stressful.”
Marching band is team work. There are few other things that take the team work required to have a successful marching band and it's because of that team work life long friendships are made. A marching bands' goal is to have unified thoughts and actions throughout the season. To get each and every band member to think this way connections to each other have to forum and leaders need to encourage and guide the band. When a new marcher steps into band camp all they know to do is follow the veterans lead try their hardest to succeed. Aside from the basics the best friendships are formed during this time. It's almost unavoidable to forum at least one friend between the approximately 57 practices, many many football games, and competitions. I do not regret for one second joining marching band. It has dominated my life for the past five years and rarely throughout the season did my mind focus on much else. It has taught me how to be a leader and follower, how to encourage others and myself to be the best that they can be, and most importantly how to be myself. I have met so many people through marching band and have had friendships that I hope last a lifetime. Now that my seasons are over I'm not sure how to enjoy the end of my summers without practices and conversations of the latest show theme is, but as mentioned before I do not regret investing my time and energy into the Beech Buccaneer Brigade.
Music means so much to Kendall- check out her Youtube Miss Musical Dreams here!
“I think our red balloon, unpopped, all the way up in the sky, is God telling us that it’s okay we didn’t make finals.”
“Marching band practice is a lot like a sewer; when you get out of it you really smell.”
Band practices start in July, and the season concluded in November. During an average season students practice between 4-9+ hours in temperatures ranging from 100-30 degrees, rain or shine.
Marching band has brought my quiet daughter to a place of confidence and pride in her work. She has learned to speak up, lead, and work hard toward new goals. As a parent, I take pride in knowing my child is part of a great organization, and we spend many Friday nights and Saturdays together at football games and competitions. The community spirit we feel from other families with children in the band is like a large family, and although volunteering for the band can be hard work and long hours, I wouldn't change it for anything. -Kim Waltenbaugh
The Brigade performed at Cornerstone Church for a Back To School special focusing on community and mascots.
2016 was the first year for Beech Buccaneer Brigade Alumni Night. Organized by the Band Booster fundraiser team of Jana Allen Smith and Lori Newbern Johns. every graduated band member-ever- was invited to come back to play in the stands and open the game festivities. The event will be annual so get out your instruments!
“That trophy is just a physical object, and that’s not what matters. It’s about the progress you make, and what’s in our hearts is what matters.”
One of the last events in the marching season before the transition into concert performance season is the Hendersonville Christmas parade.
“The 2016 season ended confirming some of my most deeply held beliefs regarding the pageantry arts - if you give the students at Beech a challenge they will rise to it and surpass your expectations. After losing several seniors, many felt this season would be a “rebuilding” year, but the staff decided to treat it as a “continuation of excellence” year. We gave the students a story where they had to become artists and bring life to the story, and they surpassed our expectations.
The Pageantry arts is the name given to Marching Band, Winter Guard, and Drum Corps. Many schools offer their students a very basic exploration of the pageantry arts, affording them a very limited box in which to perform, but we are grateful that the Beech community can provide our students a deeper understanding where they can become artists and perform for a supportive audience. Developing the whole performer, our students become a character in a story, transforming halftime from a mid-game break into an anticipated performance you don’t want to miss.”
