Even with a less than desirable amount of time to prepare, the Pleasant Valley Marching Band has successfully performed two half time shows in the first two weeks of school.
However, what some may not know is that the Spartan Marching Band is vastly different than other high school marching bands.
While most high school marching bands spend multiple hours a week rehearsing for one show, PV’s marching band performs four to six shows throughout the season. Additionally, the relationship formed between band members and the student body is unique to this school.
During football and basketball games, students can become more involved with the band through shared school pride. This is also true for any collegiate marching band, and this is why it could give PV band members a chance to rise above.
After teaching at PV for nine years, band director Tara Daurer knows a thing or two about what it takes to coordinate marching band performances. She said, “The advantages of having our band operate similar to most college bands includes an increased amount and ability in sight reading, greater engagement of students and the audience, and more leadership opportunities.”
Daurer’s love for the band family has also influenced how the program was designed. With practices set during the school day, there are “fewer conflicts with athletics/activities and more creative freedom without the constraints from competition rules.”
Although not all students decide to continue with band into college, Katie Bullock, a freshman at the University of Iowa, decided to join the Hawkeye band. After being involved in “such a strong foundation for young musicians, the transition to college marching band was very manageable. Being in the spartan marching band taught me the fundamentals of marching and instilled a love for marching band in me.”
Her success proves that what she learned at PV has helped her in college, and the experiences she gained from being in the marching band will stay with her along the way.
Being involved in any school activity gives students the skills and confidence they need to complete any daily task. Time management, teamwork and communication can not only help band members on the field but can aid students in the classroom and throughout college. No matter what happens in the future, the lessons learned in high school band can make a lasting difference.
