Is the Ferndale Golden Eagle Marching Band Ever on an 'Off' Season?

Hey Patch readers!  I've missed writing to you over the last few months!  You may be thinking, "Why is she writing again already, isn’t it only April??"  But in the world of competitive marching band, there is never a dull moment.

Ok, so maybe we take a FEW weeks off after finals...

Of course the concert band and orchestra programs have been going strong since the beginning of the school year. In fact, the Wind Ensemble just performed a combined concert with the top band from Western Michigan University.

Starting in January members of the staff started meeting to pick out music for next year's show.  This took place over several meetings until there was finally a plan that everybody was excited about.  Elon Jamison (the band director) has been writing the arrangements that we will use for the last few months.

Also during the "off" months, our guard and percussion have still been busy at work.  The guard has been meeting throughout the winter learning rifle work and basic training to be even better for next fall.

The drumline formed a competitive winter drumline, which we haven't had in a few years.  Many of the members were horn players that wanted to take a stab at playing and marching percussion.  That just ended a few weeks ago, so I guess those kids get a "break" now...

We found out a few weeks ago that one of the best bands in the state that has been in Flight II (we’re in Flight III) is now moving down to our flight because of change school sizes among the entire circuit.  This should put an interesting twist in our season as we have never been up against this band and they are really really good!  As if our flight wasn’t already competitive enough with some of the other big dogs we compete against, this will certainly mix things up for all of us!

Today was a big day for a few eager sophomores – the first day of Drum Major training.  Each year Mr. Jamison trains hopeful sophomores in conducting and general Drum Major skills to prepare them for the Junior Drum Major auditions in May.  These kids do so much work to get ready for this day.  Learning to conduct is like learning how to play a new instrument, and most of them have never tried it before.  Though each year there are a few that start learning from previous Drum Majors ahead of this formal training by Mr. Jamison.

Next week Mr. Jamison will be visiting the middle school to talk to current 7th graders about being “pre-fresh.”  These are the kids that can audition (through practices and a formal audition) to march with the high school band during their 8th grade year of middle school.  Each year we have a handful, and most of those kids have been eager to do it since the first day they picked up their band instruments.

So you may be wondering, “What is the show for next year anyway?”  Well… I’m actually now allowed to disclose that once classified information.

The show is called “Darkest Before the Dawn” and the music includes the following:

Prelude #14 by Dmitri Shostakovich

Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance by Samuel Barber

Prophecy of the Earth by David Gillingham

Redemption of a Fallen Angel by David Gillingham

I hope to have you all joining us in our journey again this season!  We’re really looking forward to it and I hope you are too!