SHS Marching Band!!!

[Dwayne Wilder]

‘Off State Year’

Sherman High School Band Director Ryan Jenkins can tell when it’s an ‘off year,’ as in no state marching contest for Class 4A schools, because the ‘kids have different priorities.’

“It’s noticeable,” said Jenkins with a smile. “Our job is to provide them with goals. It’s really important that they buy into it because what we work for this year will carry over for next year’s contest.”

The 200 or so band members have been hard at it for about three weeks – four weeks for the percussion and color guard members. It has ‘gone well’ so far, said Jenkins referring to summer practice.

“We are going to have a different kind of show this year,” announced Jenkins. “The kids really like it.”

The marching show for football games is titled, “Harmonic Journeys.’ Jenkins noted that most of the music pieces are lesser known works, but everyone has heard ‘Canon in D,’ which is the wedding march.

“The last two years we have done circus and Disney themed shows,” explained Jenkins. “This year, we turned the tables on them. We went darker/sinister; a completely different direction. It’s about taking a chance.”

According to Jenkins, the band members have taken the new show as ‘a challenge’ and have completely taken to it.

“They want to show the public how interesting this music can be,” he said. “They are excited to play.”

The SHS Marching Band is led by four drum majors in 2012 including Justin Atkinson, head drum major; Margaret Mealy, Breanna Reid and Abby Noblett. All are excellent in their leadership roles, Jenkins said.

In addition, this is the first time in six years that SHS will have a new band staff member: Flint Weed, from Tom Bean. He attended West Texas A&M and has taught band for seven years with six of them being at Tom Bean. Weed will also direct the Symphonic and Jazz Bands during the year.

As if that wasn’t enough of a change, Jenkins noted that SHS has moved to a new ‘area’ for competitions beginning in 2012. Where Sherman had been competing against Ft. Worth schools before, now SHS will compete against Dallas schools. Sherman had been in Dallas’ area as recently as 2004, but Jenkins is happy about ‘coming back.’

“We get to march against the likes of Mesquite Poteet, Waxahachie, Forney, Rockwall; all our old rivalries,” said Jenkins. “It’s been awhile; we’re all friends but it will be fun competing against them.”

Jenkins also announced the ‘Sneak Peak’ for parents and relatives and anyone else who wants to see the band for the first time this year. It will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.

“We will do our show; and we have some surprises for the parents at the end,” said Jenkins. “For the kids, it’s like a dress rehearsal.”

The Sherman Bearcats first football game is Aug. 31, but it is out-of-town as is the second game of the season. The Marching Band will not make its home debut until Sept. 14 and then take a week off for the school’s bye week.

“The Sneak Peak may be the best time to see us early because it will be three weeks before we’re back,” said Jenkins. “But we are thankful for all the support and interest we get each year from the community. It means a lot to us.”