Veterans band marches into new era

KATHLEEN — Students practiced marching and posture Thursday morning in preparation for a task that will stretch far past the end of summer — starting a marching band for the new Veterans High School.

Tom Brown, music director at Veterans, said the school has recruited about 50 students to be the first members of the marching band.

“It’s exciting. The opportunity to be the first at something doesn’t come around very often,” he said. “The kids know that whatever happens they will be the first band.”

Brown said administrators decided to start the band because they wanted the school to have all of the same activities and opportunities as other high schools.

“The goal was to make sure that whatever is in other high schools, was in our high school,” said Brown. “(Veterans Principal) Lionel Brown, our supervisor, has been very supportive. The administration has been great through all of this.”

Tom Brown said he hoped the band would be able to participate in competitions later in the year.

Audrey Browder, the lead drummer who will be conducting the band, said she expected the band to be one of the best if it competes.

“I definitely feel that if we compete we’ll do extremely well for a band our size,” she said. “It’s a lot different, cause everyone’s coming from different schools.”

The band will perform a patriotic theme its first year and plans to perform a show on Veterans Day for band supporters and veterans in the community. Brown said the performance will be a way for the band to give back to those who support it.

“We’re going to open with a medley of all the armed forces songs,” he said. “The middle will be a song called ‘Yankee Doodle Swings.’ It’s variations on ‘Yankee Doodle.’ And then we’ll close with Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

The band will practice regularly in preparation for the first football game in late August, Brown said.

Browder said she was excited for the coming year and was happy with the effort the band members were putting out.

“Everyone here is working really hard and wants to be here,” she said.

To contact writer Tiffany Stevens, 744-4213.