Sounds of the Stadium

James Clemens Marching Band

Bands return to the field with excitement of vintage rock, hip-hop and disco

BY GREGG PARKER

After the COVID-19 pandemic limited venues to perform in 2020, local bands have returned to the turf with excitement to again thrill audiences with their mastery of music and motion on the field.

In spring 2021, these instrumentalists, color guards, dancers and majorettes handled rigors of auditions for the ranks of their on-field marching band. Next, they memorized music charts and learned the moves of marching formations. In sweltering humidity, they worked at on-campus band camp to perfect the multi-tasking of ‘marching-whileplaying’ skills.

MADISON ACADEMY MUSTANG BAND

At Madison Academy, Band Director Sara Ann Schaffer said everyone – students, parents, faculty and staff – are very excited for the band to look more normal this year. “We did not do a marching show last year due to COVID-19,” Schaffer said. “We’re so ready to bring it back this year! There is so much more enthusiasm this season already.”

Schaffer has collaborated with Color Guard Instructor Kelly Kelley, Majorette Instructor Kristen Bumpas-Troncone and returning Drum Major Molly Southard, a junior, to present “Mamma Mia! Featuring the Music of ABBA.” The show has three movements featuring four songs recorded by ABBA from the musical: “I Have a Dream,” “Mamma Mia,” “Dancing Queen” and “The Winner Takes It All.”

“ABBA tunes are very recognizable to everyone, even those who have never seen ‘Mamma Mia!’ and have no idea who ABBA is,” Schaffer said. a solo confidently can be challenging in a small band such as ours, but Henry is doing a great,” Schaffer said.

The Mustang Color Guard has rehearsed new tosses for this year, including a flag exchange from the 40 to 40 yard lines!” Schaffer said. “Our majorette is planning many different tricks while using one, two and three batons, hoops and light-up baton.”

The second movement features “Dancing Queen.” “We hope everyone can get up on their feet and move. Some incredible things are in store during this movement, including our majorette twirling three batons,” Schaffer said.

Section leaders in the Mustang Band are role models: Malachi Elkins -- percussion, senior, tenor drums; Henry Tucker -- winds, alto saxophone, sophomore; Raye Speir -- winds, tenor saxophone, sophomore; Evelyn Herrington -- Color Guard Captain, sophomore.

The Mustang Band has 20 students marching: Drumline, four; Color Guard, two; and one majorette. “New to Madison Academy this year is the addition of majorettes to our band program. We’re excited to grow and support each student’s talents alongside our Color Guard, Winds and Percussion students,” Schaffer said.

Madison Academy plans to attend Northeast Alabama Marching Invitational, Albertville High School, September 25; Scottsboro Marching Festival, Scottsboro High School, October 16; and Alabama Marching Band Championships, Hoover and Pelham high schools, Oct. 30.

BOB JONES HIGH SCHOOL PATRIOT BAND

At Bob Jones High School, Director of Bands Leigh Thomas said band members were extremely positive and resilient during camp this year. “We

Bob Jones Marching Band

dealt with quite a bit of rain the first week and brutal heat and humidity the second week,” Thomas said. “We’ve been enjoying bonding as a group and wiping the slate clean from last year.”

“This is a brand-new band,” Thomas said. “Our seniors were sophomores the last time we had a ‘normal’ season; our juniors were freshman.” Sophomores had a limited 2020 season, and freshmen are fresh out of middle school. “They’ve worked hard these two weeks and are determined to make the most of our time together . . . especially because we now know how precious that time is.”

Kevin Smart, Assistant Director of Bands, and Thomas trust the leadership of Drum Majors Emma Cook and Anaya Parker, both juniors, and senior Alondra Vargas-Ramirez; Assistant Conductors Taylor Cunningham, junior, and Salina Turner, senior; and Band Captain Josh Cagle, senior.

Bob Jones’ section leaders give critical commands on the field: * Flute -- Katerina Fedoseyev, Bethany Stoots. * Clarinet -- Hayden Purser, Liz Robertson. * Alto Sax -- Brandon Amaya Ortiz, Salina Turner. * Tenor/Baritone Sax -- Jacob Johnston. * Trumpet -- Will Cox, Anna Digges, Boyd Emmons. * Mellophone -- Paige Hughes. * Trombone -- Audrey Groger, Chase Smith. * Baritone -- Brandon Todd. * Contra -- Connor Bailey, Charlie Grimes. * Percussion -- Gunnar Amsler, Josh Boyd, Austin Revera, Daniel Wright. * Dance Team -- Noelle Humpal, Reagan Drake. * Color Guard -- Jessica Cochran, Olyvia English, Naomi Kaufman, Evie King.

The 191-member Patriot Band has 110 winds (brass and woodwinds), 32 percussion, 33 color guard and 16 dance team.

Bob Jones develops two shows – one for football halftime and a competition show for marching festivals. The football show, “Friday Night Lights,” features “All of the Lights” (Kanye West), “Light ‘em Up” (Fall Out Boy) and “Blinding Lights” (The Weeknd). “These three pop tunes capture the spirit of being under the lights every Friday night, having a blast with our football team, cheerleaders and fans!” Thomas said.

Featuring more complex music and march formations, the competition show explores the concept of time and living in the moment, Thomas said. The show includes “Now” (“Doctor Who”), “Back to the Future,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” (Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes).

Several soloists will claim the spotlight throughout this show, largely playing the melodic role of “Time After Time” and “Time of My Life.” Three large props will relate to the time concept. The Color Guard will wear a trio of uniforms representing time periods -- the past, present and future.

The end of “Time After Time” and “Time of My Life” are both loud, in your face, powerful musical moments that hopefully will excite the audience. The end of the show embodies enjoying the present moment.

Bob Jones will compete for honors at Rockvale High School in Tennessee, Sept. 18; to be determined, October 23; Alabama State Marching Band Championship, Hoover, October 30; and USBands Southeastern Championship, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Nov. 6.

“We’re planning to travel to Disney World in March 2022 to perform a parade in Magic Kingdom and explore the parks,” Thomas said. “Additionally, Bob Jones Wind Ensemble, Alabama’s top concert ensemble, was selected to perform a feature concert at Alabama Music Educators Association State Conference in January 2022. This will be the second time the wind ensemble has performed at AMEA and the third time an ensemble from Bob Jones has performed in five years.”

JAMES CLEMENS HIGH SCHOOL JETS BAND

“Our students are thrilled to be getting back to our normal performance schedule,” Keith Anderson, Director of Bands at James Clemens, said. Anderson’s staff includes Assistant Director Brian Sims and Drum Majors Conrad Burns, Aiyana Milligan and Bryan Prefer.

Section leaders answer members’ questions about music and drill moves: * Flutes -- Kate Owen, Emma Kane. * Clarinets -- Lauren Campbell, Emma Kane. * Alto Saxes -- Daniel Choi. * Tenor Saxes -- Steve Jung. * Trumpets -- Maddie Henslee, Jayden LaCross.

* Mellophones -- Quinn Zalamea. * Trombones -- Ian Zalamea, Joseph Choi. * Baritones -- Kourtlan Harmon. * Tubas -- Aidan Bullard. * Percussion -- Patrick Byrne, Jake Williams, Adam Schneider, Justice Bright. * Color Guard -- Sterling Stundtner, Aun’yae Johnson, Ronda Woods, Olivia Bonner, Madi Barksdale, Emma Blair. * Dance Team -- Annika West, Chloe James.

“The full ensemble is almost 180 members with 24 guard members, 11 dance team members and 27 drum line members,” Anderson said.

The Jets’ 2021 halftime show is “The Hits of Journey,” paying tribute to American rock band with (original) lead singer Steve Perry. “We hope the crowd enjoys our performances of ‘Separate Ways,’ ‘Wheel in the Sky’ and ‘Don’t Stop Believing.’ Everyone should plan to sing along to ‘Don’t Stop Believing!’” Anderson said.

“Like Water,” the Jets’ competition show, “combines the musical and visual performance to portray the elements and characteristics of water, inspired by the famous quotes of Bruce Lee,” Anderson said. “We’re planning many special moments that we’ve never done before to give the audience a special experience . . . but it’s too early to give all that away now.”

The Jets Band plans to attend four competitions throughout Alabama, including their first entry in the Bands of America regional contest on October 16 in Jacksonville and Alabama State Championships on October 30 in Hoover.

SPARKMAN HIGH SCHOOL SENATORS BAND

David Raney, Director of Bands, at Sparkman High School also serves as President of the Alabama Music Educators Association. Sparkman’s Assistant Director is Robbie Stout, and Director of Percussion is Jack Albert.

“Our students are incredibly motivated and excited to have a full competitive season this year,” Raney said. “Although we lost valuable experiences of competition last year, we are looking forward to the dedication and commitment that a full competitive season can produce.”

“Although the new Sparkman High School Fine Arts Facility was completed last year, we are finally able to fully utilize the facility this year with a new band room and auditorium,” Raney said.

The 2021 Drum Majors at Sparkman are Kaden Burgess, Kalea Connolly and Lauren Tillman.

Band members who rank in seniority and/or mastery of music are section leaders: * Flute -- Sophia Parks, Hannah Harmon. * Clarinet -- Elias Loo, Gabriella Hawkes. * Saxophone -- Tristen Trees, Morgann Parrow. * Trumpet -- Harris Spinks, Joseph Lee. * Mellophone -- Chrissy Foshee, David Renfrow. * Trombone -- Micah Vasquez, Noah Edwards. * Euphonium -- Lorenzo France. * Tuba -- James Spurlock, Noah Gewin. * Percussion Battery -- Joseph Hamm, Ethan Smith. * Percussion Front Ensemble -- Clara Bagwell.

For the 2021 marching season, the Sparkman Senator Band has 178 wind players, 30 percussionists and 28 Color Guard members – for 236 total marching on the field.

Their halftime show, “Dance With Me,” features a collection of pop dance tunes that is intended to spur audience participation at football games, Raney said. “The marching band show should be enjoyable with audience participation from beginning to end.”

“The Travelers,” their competition show, “will take the audience on a journey through the eyes of a group of travelers moving from town to town while exploring their culture along the way,” Raney said. Soloists will perform, from trombone to alto sax.

“The music in this program features fast, syncopated rhythms with occasional odd meters at fast tempos,” Raney said. Selections include ‘Caravan,’ ‘Superstition’ and ‘Erghen Diado,’” a Bulgarian folk song.

Sparkman’s competition schedule includes Northwest Alabama Marching Classic, September 25; Bands of America Regional Competition in Jacksonville, October 16; and Middle Tennessee State University Contest of Champions, October 23.

“We hope to announce an alumni event this year inviting all alumni to participate in a pre-game performance at our homecoming game on September 10,” Raney said. “We want our alumni to see Sparkman’s Fine Arts Facility that was anticipated for decades.”

Sparkman Marching Band

Madison Academy Marching Band