Band performs new show

When the lights surrounding the football field turn on every Friday night, the football team is not the only group getting ready to perform. The band exhibits their halftime show at each home football game and at several Saturday competitions.

The band program does not always receive the appreciation it should, though. They are ignored by kids shooting silly string in the student section and by the athletic teams, who garner more legitimate attention from the general student body.

What most people do not know is that the band practices every day after school for up to three hours,  rehearsing the show that makes the HHS band a perennial favorite at competitions.

Director J.R. Snow has consistently picked show themes which are both visually and musically appealing. The 2008 show theme “Piano Forte” features both classical and newly released piano solos, including a run from the popular Sara Bareilles hit “Love Song.”

It’s just plain sad that the band works so hard for most of the summer (rehearsal begins the same day as football tryouts) and still gets so little attention.

Nearly every other team, whether it be golf, football or cross country has some kind of fan base- albeit small ones for some sports- which the band does not get to enjoy. It is not as if it is impossible to watch the band perform; not only do they play at every home football game, but they also compete at JMU’s Parade of Champions, no more than ten minutes from every Harrisonburg resident’s home. 

What other school-funded program spent more than an entire month building a twelve foot by eight foot piano that, (miraculously) actually plays? There are few things that appear more impressive than seeing a gigantic piano being rolled onto a football field, and then watching the best musicians in the school taking turns soloing on it.

Plus, the band looks good while they play. The white braided uniforms with feathered caps always look professional and clean.

The best touch that goes unnoticed? The little mirror tucked into the front of every band member’s uniform. Our band  would not be caught dead in the mish-mash that some other bands sport- now that is classy!

Really, we just have to appreciate how superior our band is compared to other local high school bands. No other high school band does such a good job keeping the student section pumped through an entire football game and wins as many shiny trophies as the HHS band. Away football games are not the same without the band playing Star Wars theme songs and “Hey Baby” at every opportunity.   The HHS band does not just play- it rocks!