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Take The Field

Marching bands ready for exhibition

Times Observer photos by Brian Ferry Above, the Eisenhower Knight Marching Band, and below, the Warren Dragon Marching Band will be performing at the Warren County Marching Band Exhibition Oct. 16 at War Memorial Field.

It hasn’t been the best year for marching bands in Warren County.

Sheffield Area High School announced that it would not field a band prior to the start of the school year.

The other high schools have bands, but, thanks in large part to COVID-19, their performance schedules have been dramatically cut back.

But, there is good news.

“We successfully have a Warren County School District band exhibition set up for all three bands to come together in Warren at War Memorial Field on Oct. 16,” Superintendent Amy Stewart said during Monday’s meeting of the personnel, athletics, and co-curricular activities committee. “That is a big win. Their goal was to make sure they got out on the field and in front of their fans.”

The Warren and Eisenhower bands have been able to perform at home football games — of which there will be fewer than normal this year.

“Before the season began we were looking at not being able to attend football games too, so we were going to have to be really creative in what we did this year,” Warren Dragon Marching Band Director Aaron Reinard said. “Thankfully, we can now play at football games. We just played at a boys varsity soccer game for WAHS as well and are still hoping to get on the field a few more times.”

“Our band has been performing at the home varsity football games,” Napolitan said. “When the football team is away, we have offered an open performance for the band parents. We have also played the National Anthem at a varsity boys soccer game. The Tournament of Bands circuit which we are a member is offering a virtual performance and critique platform this year. We have participated in one already and plan to participate in 1 to 2 more.”

Many in-person competitions and other band events have been canceled.

“We normally perform two to three exhibitions and four or five competitions in a season,” Eisenhower Knights Marching Band Director Mark Napolitan said.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry The Youngsville Marching Eagles will be performing at the Warren County Marching Band Exhibition Oct. 16 at War Memorial Field.

That number has been severely curtailed this year in part because the events just aren’t being held, but also due to district decisions.

The bands will not be going to the competitions that are being held in the region.

“I would like to see our bands perform on the field,” Stewart said. “I would like to see our families and fans have an opportunity to see them perform. I fully support the ability for our marching band students to have time to socialize together if it is all done under the current safety plan.”

“I do not support transporting students to Crawford County to accomplish these goals,” Stewart said. “I am more than happy to meet with the band directors and discuss different ways to get the kids out on the field to show off what they have accomplished here in Warren County. I am also very supportive of the marching bands participating in any virtual events. I know this is going to be frustrating news, but I cannot support unnecessary travel to do something we can accomplish right at home. I am hopeful we can work together to get these talented groups out on our fields to showcase all their hard work.”

“I can’t personally criticize the district for the decision to not let us travel,” Reinard said. “Do I want to travel? Sure. Our students love those bus rides and the camaraderie that comes from trips. At the same time, because of all the restrictions, we were going to travel only to play in front of our own parents and fans. We can do that at home.”

“It’s easy to see the down side to everything, but in the year we’re having I just choose to see what opportunities are available to us and go forward,” he said. “This event is really important. Coming into camp, we knew that all of the normal festivals we go to, parades we attend, etc. were all canceled.”

The very inability to travel to outside events drove the district to bring back the county exhibition and it is now more important than ever because of the scarcity of other opportunity.

“It is a big deal for our students,” Napolitan said. “Those attending will see and hear a group of students who have worked very hard to put on a competitive level show even though they are not competing as we have traditionally. They thrive on performing and receiving the live feedback from the audience in real-time. That is the basis what we do and why we do it.”

“This whole year has been about rolling with the punches,” Reinard said. “Across society we have seen things change daily and hourly and that has held true for our program. Our restrictions and our ability to participate has changed regularly. With each new turn, we have decided to see the opportunities instead of the obstacles.”

“There were moments this summer where I wasn’t sure we would even be allowed to do band at all,” Reinard said. “For our students, they were hoping for the opportunity to just play music together. Our band camp wasn’t the same. Our practices haven’t been the same. Our students have been resilient and just want to be together and play music.”

Like the Knights, the Dragons are looking at the exhibition as a major opportunity.

“Every year since… forever, Warren County School District has had a band exhibition at the beginning of the season for all the area marching bands,” he said. “Each year a different band will host at their field. This year because of late starts and continued schedule changes, that didn’t happen at the start of the season, but we’re excited that it’s happening toward the end of the season.”

“The fact that we can do that with other area musicians makes them super excited,” Reinard said. “The joy of this exhibition is that we’re playing in front of people who know what marching band is about, and the time and effort it take in putting a show together. There is an appreciation for what’s on the field that we don’t necessarily get in other formats.”

“This is an exhibition,” Reinard said. “No judges. No critiques. Just music and marching.”

There could be some opportunity for growth and improvement.

“This event is not a judged event,” Napolitan said. “However, in the past we have invited some colleagues to come and offer some critique with fresh eyes as we are usually performing right after our summer band camp.”

And, it looks like the students will be able to observe their colleagues.

“This performance will hold true to the tradition of the county band exhibition where the students are front and center in their performance as well as when they are the spectators,” Napolitan said. “The band members will be seated at the center of the stadium so they can see their peers from the best seats to get the full effect of their individual group performances.”

“This is very important to the students and staff of our groups,” Napolitan said. “We know how much effort and time it takes to learn and perform our shows at the level we perform. The growth of our programs relies on the support of our peers from the other bands who can truly acknowledge what we are achieving every time we step on the field to perform. The promotion of our students and what they are doing is always important to the growth of our bands. Having this event at this time, under these circumstances is even more reason to praise and promote these students and the marching bands they belong to.”

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