band

[Outlaw85]

Why can't our band be more like this? Lay it on me band people I'm ready for your rebuttles.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=muEDuQbc8dk

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWukuKkP38

[heathwaldrop]

Best high-school band I've ever seen. Been saying it for years. NP doesn't have much to brag about but it can brag about that band. People around here often talk about the Helena-West Helena Central band but I've seen both and NP's puts Central's to shame. Have I shared my experience with the NP band on the board before?

[Mr. C]

No, I haven't seen/read you sharing that with us since I've been here. Please tell.

And yes, that band was above excellent.

[heathwaldrop]

I went to Jacksonville with the team and the SROs way back, more than five years ago, and for some reason we got there like three hours early and had to just sit around. If you've never been to the stadium at NP, it's build down a hill from the school and the gym. So we were out there on the field just goofing around when I looked up to see this single-file line of students' jogging down that hill into the stadium. The first thing that we all thought was "Oh, here comes the football team."

They jogged in and made a big ring at midfield and spaced out where they were exactly the same width apart. They gave out some kind of a shout and said some sort of little incantation or something. It was then when we were like "Hmm...they aren't wearing uniforms...and they're really small...and there are a bunch of girls!" It was the band, and not the football team.

The band members then went right into calisthenic exercises which they did for probably 10 or 15 minutes. We were all just mystified by this. Then they broke (everything being very regimented) and went and got their instruments. Went through a really long warm-up and then performed their whole halftime show in rehearsal. That year they did some selections from "The Wizard of Oz" and they didnt' just stand there and play, they did some really complicated marching patterns, brought out some props (although they didn't go crazy with the props the way I've seen some other schools do...it primarily was about sounding great) and generally just put on one heckuva show.

At one point during the game I looked up and wondered if the stadium was near a set of railroad tracks because it sounded like a train was barreling through the area. It took me a second to figure out that it actually was the band. Sounded awesome.

Anyway...this is what it takes to be good. It doesn't just happen with magic. It takes a wealth of dedication. They take it very seriously at NP, which is recognized as one of the best programs not just in the state but in the region. The band got a much bigger response than the team. Either team.

[eaglesvoice]

I don't know how to get it started, but I would love to see some excitement, and more enrollment in our band. Does the school supply the instruments, or do the kids have to buy them. I can see how that large investment would be an obstacle for alot of kids. I've thought it would be good to amplify the band stand, so they would at least sound bigger, and maybe attract more kids. Man, the jr, high band at Roby is the best I've ever heard, and their deal was having a lot of kids beating alot of drums, and the horns playing really simple chords, but really loud. It was a blast, and a great performance. How hard is it to beat one drum to keep a beat? Band director, buy a bunch of loud drums and get every kid you can find to come beat one. Just my opinion

[chsband]

Everybody wants a bigger band. Myself included. I wish every student wanted to be in band, but they don't.

I. There are scheduling conflicts

II. They have jobs

III. Grade restrictions

IV. They prefer athletics, Eaglettes, cheerleading, etc.

V. No, the school doesn't furnish everyone with an instrument. They are expensive (I'm working on this)

VI. Students can only join band in 6th or 7th grade. It's too late to join at the high school level. I'm working on starting an older beginning group. But the numbers at this time are what they are coming from the Junior High

VII. Some students have moved out of the area, but we have none that have moved in. Crossett population has decreased which affects numbers in all areas of activities.

VIII. I agree that North Pulaski has a good band program. Crossett has a good band program. Our marching styles and teaching styles are very different. If a mistake at NP is made in rehearsal the student drops and does 20 push-ups. Gary Meggs also does this at UAM. This has never been the policy with the CHS Band.

IX. I know the "flashy" shows appeal to some people. But it has not been Crossett's tradition to do this type of show. Making NOISE is not making music. This is, after all, a class for graduation credit. Many students rely on band scholarships to help continue their education, and it is MY job to prepare them to qualify for scholarship funds. (NO CHS BAND STUDENT HAS EVER BEEN TURNED DOWN FOR SCHOLARSHIP MONEY)

Parents. If you are concerned about the size of the band, encourage your children to join band and STAY in band. Make sure they get to scheduled practices and practice at home. Join band boosters. Help us out. Attend a concert. We do much more than just march at football games. When is the last time you attended the Christmas or Spring concerts? We have a FREE concert coming up May 10th. I would love to see a full house.

I appreciate public input. I also appreciate the hard work of the current band students. FYI, when we played at Pulaski Academy our band was complimented on being "the best band they'd heard all year". Gary Meggs at UAM and Robert Hesse from OBU have been equally complementary of our band.

[Outlaw85]

Well I see I got someone stirred up a bit. I'd like to welcome our "newest" member and please note that in my original post I offered no personal advice or solutions to any problems the band may or may not have.

With that being said can someone please answer a question for me? Why was the 9th grade separated from the rest of the band? This has had my curosity for quite sometime.

Also,for the record. I am a band parent and do attend most of the concerts and game performances when my work schedule permits.

[chsband]

Um, I'm not "stirred up" as you put it, just giving information.

I can answer your question about the 9th grade. This decision was made several years ago. The 9th graders were at Norman. 10-12 was at CHS. It was decided to let the 9th grade be a part of the NJHS Band and play for 9th grade games, and let 10-12 play for the CHS games. At that time the numbers in band justified this decision.

p.s. I'm confused. Who do you have in band?

[Outlaw85]

Step Daughter

[chsband]

She seems like a good kid and good worker. Hope she continues next year.

Had to work on her horn a little today. didn't seem major (adjusted headcork). I had to leave, so I asked her to let me know tomorrow if it still played weird (her words).

She DOES need at least one new pad. It shows a lot of wear.

[Outlaw85]

Appreciate the info.

Quick question. Are the academic standards the same for band as athletics? What G.P.A. must a student maintain? Want to make sure I'm stressing the right thing>

[chsband]

The rule applies to all groups who compete against other schools. Band , choir, etc.

GPA is 2.00 and must be passing 4 solid subjects. It didn't affect us this spring semester. Hopefully it won't be a problem next fall. we need a smiley for "knock on wood".

[Outlaw85]

What subjects are considered solid subjects? I'm assuming math,science social studies/history and englisg are but are any others considered so?

[chsband]

As I've been told and as I understand the rule, any subject that counts as a credited course is a academic subject. This almost includes every course. I've kinda insisted that of the 4 couses passed 3 should be core courses. Math, English, Science, or Social Studies

Here is the rule from the Arkansas Activities Association:

The requirement for senior high (10-12) eligibility shall include:
-Passing 4 academic courses, and
- A minimum GPA of 2.00, based on the previous semester.

There is the part of the rule that talks about the SIP (Supplemental Instruction Program) option. This is the part that CSD removed. A school can have STRICTER rules.

If you want to read it the link is:

www.ahsaa.org/2006-07%20AAA%20Handbook.pdf

This should link you to the AAA Handbook. Eligibility is on page 27 and following.

[eagle28]

well im jus here to say to that people who comment on what our crossett band does probally has never been in band nefore and dont kno the hard work that we put into our band and how much we enjoy playing our instruments but i would like it if yall kept yall comments to urself because we are not other schools we CROSSETT AKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL BAND and not Pulaski Academy so yall respect us as us and not anybody else.

JASMINE MOORE CHS BAND MEMBER/PLAYER

[chsband]

Be cool, Jasmine. I think everybody wants us to do our best. That's what we are working for.

[Outlaw85]

eagle28 said:

well im jus here to say to that people who comment on what our crossett band does probally has never been in band nefore and dont kno the hard work that we put into our band and how much we enjoy playing our instruments but i would like it if yall kept yall comments to urself because we are not other schools we CROSSETT AKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL BAND and not Pulaski Academy so yall respect us as us and not anybody else.

JASMINE MOORE CHS BAND MEMBER/PLAYER

No one here is saying anything derogatory towards the band. Most of us on here graduated before you were even born and came through Crossett High when the band was large, loud well known accross the state. The point I was trying to make by posting the video of Np was that you don't have to be a huge band to good. Personally I love to see a band that marches as well as they play. Gets me pumped up at a football game. You are right that you aren't other schools we just want our band to be the best. No one has questioned ya'lls desire and love of the band.

As for keeping our comments to ourselves, it's not going to happen. Freedom of speech is what it's called. Right or wrong everyone has an opinion and the right to voice it. But if things get out of hand we will do what we can to control it.

[heathwaldrop]

The whole point of having a board is to NOT keep comments to ourselves.

[eaglesvoice]

you betta respeck an' reconize

[Mr. C]

outlaw67 said:

eagle28 said:

well im jus here to say to that people who comment on what our crossett band does probally has never been in band nefore and dont kno the hard work that we put into our band and how much we enjoy playing our instruments but i would like it if yall kept yall comments to urself because we are not other schools we CROSSETT AKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL BAND and not Pulaski Academy so yall respect us as us and not anybody else.

JASMINE MOORE CHS BAND MEMBER/PLAYER

No one here is saying anything derogatory towards the band. Most of us on here graduated before you were even born and came through Crossett High when the band was large, loud well known accross the state. The point I was trying to make by posting the video of Np was that you don't have to be a huge band to good. Personally I love to see a band that marches as well as they play. Gets me pumped up at a football game. You are right that you aren't other schools we just want our band to be the best. No one has questioned ya'lls desire and love of the band.

As for keeping our comments to ourselves, it's not going to happen. Freedom of speech is what it's called. Right or wrong everyone has an opinion and the right to voice it. But if things get out of hand we will do what we can to control it.

On top of what he said, probably everyone here thinks we have a great band. I know I do.