I would encourage those who were not appointed to keep up the great work.  Your time is coming!

Please see the link below for the list of appointments.  Congratulations to all.  We are excited about the future!

2013-14 Leadership Appointments

Please remember to submit MB Commitment Contracts and KHSAA Physicals Forms by June 1st.

Thanks,  Bill Kite  william.kite@fayette.kyschools.us  Director of Bands  Henry Clay High School

How Much: $3 – 5 suggested donation

After a long day of marching and action against capitalism and the state come join Red & Black for a celebratory evening of music, drink, and solidarity!

Music performed by:
Hang the Old Year (Anarchist Post-Rock)

LoveBomb Go-Go! (Marching Band insanity!)

Speaker Minds (Hip-Hop/Funk!)

Howl and Wild (Old Timey Folk)

Meanwhile, in the Butler County community of Harmony, the Seneca Valley High School marching band is preparing to march Thursday through Louisville, Ky.

The young musicians, some 200 strong, have been invited to take part in the traditional Pegasus Parade.

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“We’re not just representing this year’s students,” Marching band Director Bob Matchett said. “We’re representing the years and years of students who have gone through the program, and still come back and visit and still are proud of what they were a part of.”

They’ll follow in the footsteps of a Seneca Valley band that marched in that same parade, six years ago.

That group set the bar really high. Matched against 16 other bands, they were crowned Grand Champions. When their buses brought them home, they received a hero’s welcome.

But this year’s seniors say they’re equal to the task.

“It’s not something you always get to say,” says drum major Marykate Neiderriter. “We’re in parades, but you never can say you were a drum major as a senior in high school, and marched in the Kentucky Derby parade. It’s big.”

Fellow drum major Brendan Linto agrees.

“Going down to Kentucky,” he says, “and being in a very long parade, and a very important parade, as part of America’s history, is definitely an exciting thing.”

But does he have any tips on the Saturday’s Derby winner?

“Oh, I have no idea,” he said with a laugh. “I really don’t watch the Derby itself. But good luck to all participants”

RELATED LINKS
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More From Dave Crawley

Please congratulate:  Rachel Whitehead- Head Drum Major, Jenna Mattingly- Drum Major Assistant #1, Valerie Varble- Drum Major Assistant #2

I really appreciate the hard work and effort of all of the students who auditioned this year!  These students will be a great group of leaders heading into the future!

Leadership Interviews resume today after school beginning at 3:30 PM.  Please have students see times posted in the band room.

Thanks to all for your support and we look forward to another great year for the Henry Clay Band!  Sincerely,  Bill Kite  william.kite@fayette.kyschools.us  Director of Bands  Henry Clay High School

As the saying goes, “The band does not become part of your life, you become part of the band’s life.” Over the past four years I have realized how true that is. We are but a fleeting moment in the history of the band and our duty to this band that we love is to carry on its legacy and to inspire others to feel the exact same love for it as we do because it’s such a great feeling that we ought to spread it with the world. But for us, this band doesn’t just become part of our lives; it becomes our entire life. It shapes who we are from the moment we enter it to the moment we leave and how we grow over these years remains with us for the rest of our lives.

Reflecting back to rookie year when everything was new and exciting and I had no idea what was going on, I am amazed by how much of an impact this band has had on me over the past four years. It was crazy to think as I watched the rookies learn to march this year that it was just a few years ago that I too was taking my first steps with the band – tucking and flat footed with low knees like a boss – and now chair step will always fixed in my muscle memory.  At first, being disciplined on the field, memorizing the extreme amounts of music, and sacrificing most weekends to band was a nuisance, but it now is a way of life. I have been shown what it truly is to be inspired and a quality person from the leadership of the directors, the upperclassmen before me, and now, my peers, and I know what I’ve learned from them will help me do great things in this world.

It is surreal to think as I write this that never again will I experience the glorious pain in my calves following the first few days of spat camp, run cadence out of the tunnels at TCF Band Stadium, or have a dance party in room 5 with the clarinets while staying at the stadium until at least midnight to help hem marching band pants during spat camp. Never again will I scare the rookies, watch the sun rise at 6 a.m. rehearsal, or have the honor to wear the 15-pound wool uniform (after the bowl game, that is). Returning members, cherish ever moment. No not just the happy moments when we put our hats on backwards at the end of the game or when you find out you made pregame or leadership, but the difficult and character building moments as well such as the humbling moment when you find out you didn’t make pregame when you were sure that you would, the strengthening moment when you don’t think you can make it through MN March down the field again but you push yourself to do so, or the moment of self discipline when you hold yourself at attention despite your exhaustion after marching all of pregame. Also, graduates, don’t ever forget these moments.

Over the past four years, I have met more people that mean so much to me than I could hope for in a lifetime – let alone individually mention here – and I am thankful for the opportunity to consider all of them my friends. In fact, I will always cherish everyone in this band whether I talk to you every day or I simply see you on the field. Your dedication, your energy, and your friendship inspire me every day and I would like to thank you all for making this some of the best years of my life. I joined this band looking for friendship, but I found something more – I found a family. I am fortunate to have spent some of the greatest years of my life with such a fantastic group of people. It has been an honor and a privilege to march along side each and every one of you.

Ski-U-Mah, my friends.

-Hanna

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Our show’s working title is “A Night To Remember.” We’re playing parts of Wild Nights by Frank Ticheli, Hymn to a Blue Hour by John Mackey, Silhouette from Skyfall, and Some Nights by Fun. Yes. SKYFALL AND FUN ARE IN OUR SHOW THIS YEAR. U Jelly?

It’s funny because it’s grape.

And if anyone from my marching band is reading this right now, and remembers this… scmilies for you.

Okay, so I haven’t been to excited for this show so far, but I guess I’ll warm up to it. I’m especially excited for Some Nights. Some Nights is one of my favorite songs. I’m a little worried about how they’ll arrange it, but whatever. I can’t do much about that. Just so long as the trumpets don’t get all the solos again. TRUMPETS MAKE ME ANGRY.

From what I’ve heard from stalking on Facebook, they’ve started arranging the intro. I’m not sure whether I’m happy… or afraid.

10 Ways To Know You’re In the Wolverine Marching Band:

1. The drum line makes a joke about the stretch for warm-up looking like a porn star. 
2. Everyone but the trumpets secretly hate the trumpets.
3. Clarinets and Trumpets have a mutual hate relationship.
4. First Competition: FRESHMAN CLEAN THE BUS! *seniors run away* State Competition: SENIORS CLEAN THE BUS! *Freshmen slowly get off bus*
5. Clarinets are midgets.
6. There are those two obvious couples and you ship everyone else.
7. Let’s make funny sunblock tattoos!
8. PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR! AND…. oooohhhhhhhhh. AND 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8!
9. You’re so tired after band camp you will laugh at grass.
10. Kaelynn says something along the lines of “I’ve never had *INSERT FOOD HERE* before. I like it!” *insert staring upperclassmen*

Migdets is a funny word. With that, a picture!

Monetary Value…

Sidney A. Ribeau
President

Name: Joseph Dillard
Age: 22
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Post Graduation plans: Joseph will attend Howard University School of Law in the fall of 2013.

Why did you choose to come to Howard?
I have always wanted to come to Howard. In 9^th grade, a local news station did a profile on me and I told them then how I wanted to graduate from Howard. Also, I visited Howard during my sophomore year of high school, when my band performed at Howard’s Homecoming. Right away, I fell in love with the culture and the campus. Then, when the same news station revisited me as a graduating high school senior, I was able to share with them that I would be attending Howard University the next fall on scholarship, and hoped to continue to law school as well.

What is one experience at Howard that you will always remember?
Speaking at the 2013 Charter Day dinner. Going from coming to Howard and not knowing anything about this institution, to be able to speak at Charter Day four years later in front of like 3000 people just shows the nature of Howard, and how it gives people an opportunity to shine after they’ve grown. Also, Alternative Spring Break this year in Haiti was life changing.

You have had a large number of extra-curricular involvements. How have you been able to juggle so many activities?
[Laughs] Balance, remembering that academics come first, and not sleeping.

A list of some of Dillard’s roles while at the University (both current and previous roles included):
President, Chapel Assistants
Intern, Office of the President
President, National Political Science Honor Society
Vice President, Alternative Spring Break Program
Vice President, Howard University Debate Team
Co-Creator of the student-run Wednesday Night Live Chapel service
Co-Creator of SIMBA – A mentoring program he and some other students started during his freshman year called “safe in my brother’s arms” for Maya Angelou Public Charter School (middle school) in Southeast D.C.
Showtime Marching Band (freshman and junior year)
Interfaith Fellow
Jordan scholar

Joseph Dillard with students in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti during Alternative Spring Break in March. Photo: Joseph Dillard.

What is your overall view of your Howard experience?
Howard has been great. I’ve been able to grow in every dimension of life. It hasn’t just been like an institution, it’s been a family. I have been able to grow within my leadership abilities, my oratorical abilities, and my networking opportunities have been great. I’ve even had the opportunity to meet President Obama two times while here at Howard.

Who has been your favorite professor, and why?
Dr. Dana A. Williams, chair of the English department. Even though I got a B in her class, she pushed me to the point where I wanted to drop out. But, she also pushed all of us to the point where we were giving our best. She was also like a mother, not only with our learning, but also by caring. When [trials of] life happened to us during one semester, she would set aside office hours to speak with us on personal issues.

Do you feel prepared for the “real world” now that you are graduating?
Yes, I feel prepared for the real world, yet I’m still nervous. I feel that Howard has prepared us, but the way the economy is, isn’t looking very great. Especially with the career I’ve chosen in Law.

How much student loan debt will you have when you leave?
At this point, about $19,000.

What do you think the future holds for the class of 2013?
I think we will have a lot of leaders coming from class of 2013. I think we really have the potential of going into the world and leaving a very large mark, especially pertaining to the issues that African Americans face. While here at Howard I have seen student leaders that have fought tirelessly on issues that affected undergrad students and I fully expect them to continue on that path of fighting for the things in which they believe.

What will be your legacy at Howard?
A lot of people will say that I was determined, and I persevered despite a lot of trials and tribulations. And hopefully they will say I was a great leader.

What does Howard need most, and how can we get it?
We need more money, especially for financial aid purposes. I think we could get it if alumni actually saw where [the money] was going. If every alum gave just $100 back to Howard, that money would go a very long way to help the students. Money shouldn’t ever be the only reason someone can’t go to Howard.

Student Interviews conducted by Na’Tasha Jones/University Communications

Related posts: A Look at the Class of 2013, A Look at the Class of 2013: Michelle Ricks, A Look at the Class of 2013: Victoria Samuels

After eight years in the West Point Band, I just finished my second ballet performance. My opera tally remains at zero. I am happy about this. I prefer the brief, tuneful melodies of a ballet than the sprawled out, often-overly-dramatic opera. It’s a personal preference.

We performed with Newark-based New Jersey Ballet. We also played with them last year, marking the first collaboration of the two world-class organizations. It was also the first time New Jersey Ballet performed with a military band. I’m thrilled they asked us back. This year, we played Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Nelson’s Courtly Airs and Dances, selections from Persichetti’s Divertimento, and a pair of pieces by Morton Gould: American Salute and Interplay. The latter is a piano concerto performed by our magnificent pianist, Staff Sergeant Yalin Chi.

Lt. Col. Keene conducts the West Point Band in the pit at NJPAC.

The performance was held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Awesome doesn’t do the facility justice. As I sat in the dress rehearsal, I realized I was playing standard band repertoire for a professional dance company in a world-class concert hall. It was one of those moments where I remembered why I went into music.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Garcia performing on stage with the NJ Ballet

An added bonus: as a rabid New Jersey Devils fan, it is always a thrill driving by Prudential Center, home of my favorite hockey team. It’s another world-class venue in downtown Newark, and just a few blocks away from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Too bad my Devils missed the playoffs this year …

Following the excitement of the ballet, we performed our annual “Young Artists Concert” at West Point. This year we featured two winners: Mirana Stoker on piano, and Amanda Kim on flute. Both soloists performed wonderfully. Truly inspiring.

Amanda Kam performs Chaminade

There is a lot of scrutiny on young people these days. I often hear things like “the future is bleak” and “kids in this country won’t amount to anything.” I wish those critics would have been at our concert this past weekend. I came out of this concert thinking the future has never been brighter. And I feel that way every year after hearing these young musicians.

Mirana Stoker performs Mozart

This concert was a nice reminder of the importance of arts in education. I grew up in Kansas City, but had I lived in the Hudson Valley, perhaps I would have been a young artist soloist with the band. Growing up in a non-musical house, I’m not sure I would have been introduced to classical music had band not been offered at my school. Who knows what I would be doing for a living? Music education taught me so much: creativity, work-ethic, teamwork … things that cannot be measured in a standardized test. This year’s young artist winners reminded me of this. I’m proud to be a musician and I’m proud of our youth.

April has been a good month in the West Point Band—ballet, young artists, and this weekend we’re returning to the West Point plain for a parade. Let the good times ensue.

Words by Staff Sgt. Phil Stehly

Please note that the Band Calendar (accessed via website at www.henryclayband.org) is up to date through marching band season next year!  All camp times/dates, rehearsals, and contests are up!  I have also listed MOST of the major concerts through the end of next school year!  I have to adjust a few rehearsals during the concert season, but the general structure is there.

For ALL MARCHING BAND members:  Please NOTE the first week of camp, we are bringing in a professional visual consultant who will teach EVERYONE a refined marching technique.  He will be spending most of the first week with us!  Very exciting!

For those partipating in MB, I MUST have all Commitment Contracts and KHSAA Physical Forms by June 1.

Please schedule all Dr. appointments, driving tests, etc. around the MB rehearsal and performance schedule.  All MB members should take the ACT on the off weekend on Saturday, September 21st!

Thanks to you all for your support and effort!  We are looking forward to a fantastic summer, fall, and beyond!

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions!  Sincerely,  Bill Kite  william.kite@fayette.kyschools.us  Director of Bands

So that’s not the only thing that’s been going wrong this week. There’ve been quite a few things I’ve kept bottled up and I just really need them off of my chest. I’ve been pulled into a fight between my bestfriend and her ex. He was an okay guy when they were dating, but then he became possessive of her. Always wanting to know who she was with, where she was, could they hang out. Stuff that we didn’t think of a big deal until he started to blame stuff out of her control on her. It got so bad that she would go to school crying. Well, as you can guess they’re no longer dating; and we thought the harassment would end….it  got worse. His mother even got involved (posted stuff about my bestfriend being an immature brat on fb). Here’s an important detail: her ex is my boyfriend’s bestfriend. Well he started being a complete douche bag to her over fb and text. I had enough of him one day and text him that if he didn’t stop that I was going to our band director about it. Well he decides to bring not only my boyfriend into the mess but my ex-bestfriend, and my boyfriend’s brother. My boyfriend’s brother and I don’t get along that well anyways so this just made it worse.  Well my boyfriend’s brother came to me and told me “you need to take back that threat. that wasn’t cool”. Then he walked over steaming back to my ex-bestfriend.

So this mess led to today’s events: I was basically bullied by them today and the thing at camp just made it worse because I saw 3 people I really didn’t want to see, plus stuff from earlier mentioned. Well I had actually cried on field due to that and then when we were getting ready to leave my bestfriend’s ex goes “hey Cass i’m just joking with her”.  That made me so mad and just ugh!!! I stormed out of the band room in tears. My boyfriend follows and tries to comfort me. Well he told his family what happened and now the brother has to apologize to me in person tomorrow then I have to call their dad and tell him if I thought it to be sincere. This will be interesting…….My boyfriend’s family is so nice and sweet. They treat me as if i’m one of theirs and I really love them (him the most). I thank him (and his mom and dad) for what their doing. I can only say one thing I hope all goes well because I don’t want anyone in trouble nor do I want anyone unhappy.

So I guess wish me luck and until later.

First things first, it takes patience. You have to be able to accept that your kids will not grasp certain concepts right away, and you have to know that working with kids, and sometimes adults, takes patience. You need A LOT of patient to be a teacher of any kind, but ESPECIALLY a music teacher.

You also need to be hard-working and diligent. You’re not going to be able to create a huge, powerhouse band program in one single day, week, month, or year. You have to know that sometimes, you are going to have to work certain sections of songs over, and over, and over, but that’s just how it has to be. There is no way to cut corners in a band program without doing just that, cutting corners.

You need to know where you want your program to go, so that you can expect just that out of your kids. No matter how high you set the bar for your band, those kids WILL reach it, you just have to believe and make them believe that they can as well.

You need to be compassionate and caring. Band directors deal with a lot more than what is in the job description. My high school band director saw me at my very best, and at my very worst. He always listened, he always knew what to say, and he always kept me motivated to be the best I can be. That’s what a band director needs to do for their kids.

You have to be a good listener. There will be times when your kids will need you to listen to them about something music related, or even non-music related. We heard a story from someone’s early field experience, and they talked about the band director talking a kid out of committing suicide. You need to know how to deal with that, and how to listen.

You need to be yourself. I think this is going to be the hardest for me. I tend to be too worried about what someone else is going to think of my actions, and turn into a more refined version of me, but as we all know, a little humor is good sometimes. Sometimes, high schoolers need some sarcasm, and sometimes as a band director, you need to let that sarcasm out. You need to be the right balance of yourself and professional, funny and appropriate, and quirky but dignified.

Other than that, you need the actual skills to direct the band, but the things I listed above are the most important things. These are the life skills you need to be a Music Teacher.

If your life was a parade, what banner would you wave?

Would you hold it really high, so all could see as you passed by?

Or would you hide yourself behind, so that no one knew your mind?

Would you lead from the first row or would you follow those you know?

Would you lag behind feeling numb, or would you march to your own drum?

What kind of music would you play?  Joyful?  Bluesy?  A mixed array?

As you passed the people along the way, would you really see them or just look away?

Marching on, towards the end, are you pleased with what awaits, my friend?

By: Lisa

Chris La Porte doesn’t think small.  His monumental drawings are more than the elephant in the room.  You can own a smaller piece by checking out his brand new online auction site HERE

I wouldn’t have understood much about them last year, but now I know they are marching band’s visual representation of the amazing music. I’m glad to try this out this year and we will do our best and stand together as a family. I already love my band family and I don’t know most of them. This will be a great year with my new friends and family <3