This year, the BHS band is doing many things, such as welcoming new freshmen, marching in multiple parades, and sending new people to audition for District Band. Many people are excited for what the band has to offer this year.
“I am excited for the pep band, more state fairs, and trying out for District Band,” freshman clarinet player Kambell Franke said. “My favorite part of band so far is all the friends I have made, and of course, Mr. O’Neil.”
“I think the band plays more musically this year,” band director Stuart O’Neil said. “We’re a little bit bigger, we were in the 30’s last year, and in the 50’s this year. Everybody is sweet, they seem to enjoy each other, we’re playing really well, and we’re very musical.”
The BHS band has had a new drum major take over, senior Lily Breedlove. A lot of things change when you become drum major, and there’s a whole list of new responsibilities.
“There’s a lot of responsibility,” Breedlove said. “I have to do a lot more, and be a lot more involved and aware of what I’m doing.”
The transition from junior high band to high school band can be pretty overwhelming, because of all the new things that the band has to offer. But, the band has been very welcoming to freshmen this year.
“I think the transition is very big, because there are a lot more opportunities and responsibilities that aren’t offered at the junior high,” Franke said. “The band was very welcoming to us and didn’t expect us to know everything at first glance. They also tried to include us all.”
“This class of freshmen is excellent,” O’Neil said. “This was my first class of beginners at Baldwin when I arrived 3 years ago, and they have been outstanding. They are sweet, and there’s a lot of them, and they are smart.”
Band is getting along very well this year. There’s a great relationship between bandmates, and everyone is great friends with each other.
“I feel the band differs from many other sports and groups because the band isn’t cliquey. You can ask anyone for help,” Franke said.
“I feel like we have been the closest we have ever been,” Breedlove said. “Our band is really like a huge family. We all love each other, we all get along, and I think that’s why we sound so good.
District band is also a big topic in the BHS band world, whether it’s hoping to do good for yourself, or getting bigger numbers than other rival schools. Every year, they send people to audition for the District Honor band, and then if those people make it, then the goal is to make it to the All-State Honor band.
“Hopefully I get into it (District Band), ” Breedlove said. “If not, that’s okay, it’s really hard to get in.”
“The biggest thing that holds people back (from District Band) is this fear of the unknown, they don’t know what to expect,” O’Neil said, “But what they forget is the kids from all over the district feel the same way, everybody’s nervous about it, especially freshmen. If they don’t make the All-State Band, so be it. But, I think they should go ahead and give it a shot in District band. My biggest goal would be to have more kids in the band than Eudora, however.”