The Touch of Gold Marching Band!

[Dwayne Wilder]

DHS Touch of Gold Band

Not only does the fall school year bring football players to the field, it brings band members of various high schools out to the practice field including the Denison High School Touch of Gold Marching Band.

The TOG – some 120 strong – began practice on Aug. 6 at the high school practice field. Paul Onspaugh is in his eighth year of leading the band; and 30th year of directing.

“Practice so far has gone really well,” said Onspaugh during a break in practice Tuesday morning. “The returning members and the freshmen are coming together; they are giving it all they’ve got. I can’t ask for any more.”

The ‘show’ for the 2012 football marching season is appropriately entitled, “Seasons.” It is based on Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ and has pop music infused throughout, according to Onspaugh.

“You’ll hear ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’,” explained Onspaugh. “And we will sneak in ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’.”

The first performance of the show will be at the DHS Yellow Jackets’ opening game and first home game Aug. 31.

The TOG drum majors for 2012 are Jasmine Jenkins and Katie Jane Brashier, both seniors. They both see their roles as being the liaison between the band members and the director. They do on-field conducting and take care of the band leadership off the field.

“Practice has been going good,” said Brashier. “We are here to serve the band.”

Jenkins is excited about the show for this season and said that she ‘loves it.’

“I like winter, spring…….well, all the seasons!” she said.

“We have an amazing band this year,” said Brashier. “We are so proud of them!”

Both Jenkins and Brashier played the flute in band until being chosen as drum majors. They both play the saxophone in the jazz band when they are not marching. They have known each other since sixth grade; and even share the same birth date.

“Earlier this summer, we made the finals of the drum major competition at UTA,” said Jenkins. “No one from DHS has ever made it that far.”

“We want to do anything we can to make the band better,” said Brashier.

The TOG Band will hold a sneak peak for family and friends at Munson Stadium Thursday night at 7 p.m. and will be on hand at “Meet the Yellow Jackets” Night Saturday at 7 p.m., also at Munson Stadium.