‘Hawk’ish on Sinatra ‘News’ hit: ’25 show of HVA Spirit of the Valley Marching Band
The camp culminated with a free community performance starting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 29, in the HVA stadium.
The inspiration for the show came from program coordinator Ben Lee, according to Chuck Brock, assistant band director, who serves with head band director Alex Rector.
“Lee wanted to keep this character-type show,” Brock said. “We were Dust Bunnies last year. He wanted a similar character, but a more real character, so he chose the early 1900s’ paperboys’ look.
Besides show choice, Lee writes the wind (instrument) music and coordinates the rest.
“He speaks with the percussion writer; he speaks with the drill designer; he speaks with the other visual designers to coordinate (the show),” the assistant director said.
This year’s show will feature a jazz sound —“a few jazz standards and a few more modern jazz pieces,” Brock said.
With images of a typewriter, Brock said the visuals are all related to the early 1900s New York jazz and paperboy scene.
Headed by drum majors, seniors Douglas King and J.C. Thomas and juniors Kaylen Talbot and Carter Case, there will be 140 band members, compared to 110 last year.
“It’s really a change from last year,” said the assistant director, who attributed the growth to the “overall focus on recruitment, obviously trying to grow.
“And, the middle school directors did a great job of promoting and helping us get more students into the program,” Brock added
These students will be vying for wins at two local shows: a Clinton High School contest and another to be determined later; two Bands of America contests, one at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City and another outside of Atlanta; and Contest of Champions at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.
“I feel really good (about the band),” Brock said. “The kids have a great attitude, working really hard, not seeming to be bogged down by the heat or the exhaustion.
“I’m really excited about their work ethic and just the overall vibe of the ensemble,” he added.
About what he hopes the band will achieve, Brock said, “More than anything, I think it is building a community that the students want to be a part of … sharing the joy and love that music gives me and all of our staff, and seeing the younger generation also get bit by that bug and enjoy it.”
