What do Neil Armstrong, Dolly Parton, Samuel L. Jackson, Lizzo, and John Quincy Adams all have in common? They all once participated in their high school’s marching band and each went on to lead very different yet very important and successful lives.
Marching bands can be traced all the way back to the 18th century, but competitive marching band has only been a thing since the 1920s.
Now, more than 100 years later, our own GRC Marching Band has begun an amazing season with a brand new performance. Their first competition took place this past Saturday at Lafayette High School. The band placed 5th overall in the finals with a score of 74.85.
“Saturday was a huge success,” said drum major Lillian Hall. “Overall we had two really good runs and we are off to an amazing start.”
The band competes almost every Saturday for the next couple of months.
The marching band show this year is titled “Aquanimity,” exploring the imagery of the serenity of a Koi fish pond. The show features Japanese music and music made famous by Paul Simon.
This performance features very emotional music and beautiful melodies, a very different show than years past.
“Our show has some amazing lyrical moments and lots of well designed uniforms and props,” said senior Madison Keath.
Along with a fresh performance, the band also has two new drum majors — Lillian Hall and Dawn Patrick — and 113 members.
Marching band provides an outlet and an opportunity for these young adults to explore their passions.
“The band is somewhere where you can be yourself and have fun no matter what you’re doing,” said Dawn.
The GRC Marching Band is one of the many long-standing traditions here in Clark County. Every season brings on new adventures.
“My favorite part of every season is seeing the growth and the leaps students take,” said Mr. Cook.
These young musicians all become a team and along the way — a family.
“The GRC band is one of a kind,” said freshman Aubree Wheeling. “We’re all like family; there are no ‘just friends.’ It’s all family.”
When talking about the GRC Band, you can’t forget about the wonderfully talented Colorguard that enhances each performance.
“It would only be a music concert without the guard and we help the visual effect when people watch the band perform,” said Colorguard senior Lucy Kinney.
The synchronized performances of the Colorguard add to the depth and beauty of the show.
Well deserving of a nod are the extremely dedicated band boosters/parents that travel to each show/competition to carry and roll equipment out onto the playing field cheering for their band member.
The parents and boosters play an integral part in the success of the marching band with transportation and staunch support.
Besides the Marching Band’s yearly success, the Pep Band helps cheer on our GRC football and basketball teams. GRC Pep Band is hailed as one of the BEST in the state by all who attend sporting events regularly. The Pep Band boosts the student section and inspires GRC athletes to bring in the win.
“We have the best community and best school district in the state who supports the band program and its history,” said Mr. Cook.
Janie Chapman • Sep 25, 2024 at 12:46 am
AS A GRC BAND ALUMNI (under the direction of the fabulous Chuck Campbell) that won state and National Competitions, I am so happy to see the band doing so well. I wish you all luck in the rest of this competition season. I do want to know why the uniforms are now navy and light blue? Red and White have been Clark Co. and GRC colors for years and years. Our uniforms had some navy but also had red and white,too. When you get new uniforms, I hope they will be the traditional school colors. Have a great marching season!
Janie Christopher Chapman – Class of 1973