UpClose: Charles Pennington
Inside the Biggest Band in Texas (or anywhere else!)
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By Eliahu Sussman
hen it comes to music education, sometimes things really are bigger in Texas. Such is the case at Allen High School, the lone public high school that serves the entire town of Allen, a well-to-do suburb of Dallas. Allen has seen tremendous growth in recent years, and Allen High School has likewise seen a dramatic increase in student population, up to its current enrollment of approximately 5,000 students. In turn, the Allen Eagle Escadrille, the school’s marching band, color guard, and drill team, has also boomed significantly. In fact, over 500 student musicians participated in the popular ensemble this past fall, in addition to another 100 members of the color guard and drill team, as well as scores of volunteer assistants. Already perhaps the largest school band in the U.S., the program’s directors are expecting an additional 100 or so students to join the Escadrille next year. Charles Pennington
18 School Band and Orchestra, May 2011