Published: August 08, 2008 01:14 pm         

RCSHS Band prepares for marching season

With the first day of school less than a week away, most of the high school teams are hard at work already. But there is one team, one sport that generally gets overlooked: The Rowan County High School Marching Band.

Many readers may think that Marching Band is not a sport, but the nearly 60 members of the group would disagree. The band has spent nearly 13 hours every day this week working on music, marching fundamentals, and drill.

“We’re making very good progress,” Band Director Kevin Christie said. “I am extremely pleased with how we’re doing. We’ve shortened the number of summer rehearsals to give the kids a little more down time before we start the school year.”

But “shortened” doesn’t mean anything less than countless hours on the field. The band began summer rehearsals in early July with two four-hour practices a week. Pre-camp began July 28, with students coming in at eight every morning for four-hour rehearsal.

“We worked on marching fundamentals and learning the music last week,” Christie said. “This week we’re putting the drill on the field with the flag choreography and putting it all together with the music.”

This year’s field show is called “Spanish Fantasy,” featuring music by Jay Chattaway and Chick Korea. Rowan County Football fans at every home game will enjoy the eight and a half minute performance this fall.

Spanish music generally appeals to the local audience and it allows the band to do well competitively, Christie explained. The show was inspired by one Christie saw performed by the elite Drum Corps group The Blue Devils.

The months of practice and hundreds of man-hours spent in preparation for the show isn’t just for half-time entertainment. Rowan County Senior High School Marching Vikings will perform in five contests on their way to the State Marching Band Competition. For the last two years, Rowan County’s band has placed in the top three for every competition. In 2006 and 2007 the Marching Vikings came in third in Class 4A.

“I hope they perform well and have fun; the judging is out of our hands,” Christie said. “All the kids can do is give the judges their best performance, giving them every reason to put them in the top place.”

“Night Streets” is the second number in the show, and is probably most popular piece with the students. Christie says it is the most difficult musically with challenging rhythms, a fun melody, and a notable (no pun intended) salsa feel.

With fans hopefully dancing in the stands, the band will be adding new visual elements to the show as well. “This year every color guard member has a flamenco box to dance on,” Christie said. “It adds a really interesting picture and helps us create different levels and different layers, exposes things that might normally be hidden. It’s called integrated drill.”

Christie and his staff are excited about the competitions, but most importantly, they are glad the students are having fun.

“We have to spend so much time working on these pieces; I want them to enjoy the music,” Christie said. “The ultimate goal is for the kids to become consistent performers.”

For more information on the Rowan County Senior High School Marching Vikings, visit their website, www.rowancountyband.com.