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Marching band spends week preparing to perform
By Justin Goble
When Smoky Mountain High School’s football team takes the field Friday night, those in the stands will see more than a football game.
They’ll get music from the SMHS marching band as well.
To get ready for the season, the young musicians spent all last week in “band camp,” led by director Drew Umphlett. Those sessions allowed students to learn the songs and marching formations Umphlett has chosen for both half-time performances and competitions.
Members of Smoky Mountain High School’s marching band practice their routines on the school’s practice field under the direction of Drum Major Katy Elders, left. The students spent all last week at band camp, putting in 12-hour days in order to get ready for the upcoming football season and band competitions. According to director Drew Umphlett, the students’ hard work has prepared the band to play for crowds and judges. This year’s theme is “Sounds of the ’80s,” and selections will include Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309 (Jenny);” Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love;” The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat;” and Heart’s “Almost Paradise.” – Herald photo by Justin Goble.
Taking preparations as seriously as a coach, Umphlett had band members practicing from 8:30 a.m. until around 8:30 p.m., with breaks for lunch and dinner. Full band practice was held in the mornings and evenings, with section rehearsals after lunch.
According to Western Carolina University senior Amy Heney, who has been helping out with the camp, the schedule is tough but worth the effort.
“It’s better doing it all at once,” Heney said. “They learn a lot in one day. They get it and it stays. If the band members were to learn the music and the formations over an extended period of time, some of what they learn would go away.”
Watching practice last Wednesday, it was clear that Umphlett demands a lot from the students. Songs and formations were rehearsed meticulously until he was satisfied, with assistants observing to make sure everything is done right.
While 12-hour days require a lot of stamina, it’s an effort all the band members are willing to give. As the students came off the field for lunch, they were visibly excited.
“We get a lot of work done,” said color guard Captain Emily Starnes. “It’s tough, but it’s also a lot of fun.”
“You get sore being out there,” said tuba player Zack Kotila. “It’s hard, but it’s definitely worth it no matter what you do. When we get out and play in front of people, it’s invigorating.”
Heney said enthusiasm had been building throughout the week. Instead of tiring from the effort involved, students become more involved the harder they work, she said.
“They’ve gotten more excited as the week has gone on,” Heney said. “They’re seeing it come together really well.”
According to assistant band director Bob Reid, the students’ eagerness has made the camp enjoyable for everyone.
“They want to be here,” Reid said. “This is totally an after-school program. These kids don’t get any (academic) credit for doing this.
“This is the best band camp we’ve had in five years,” Reid said. “We’ve seen a lot of improvement this week. These kids have a wonderful attitude and have the desire to be a great band.”
Umphlett is a major reason this year’s camp went smoothly, Reid said.
“Drew is the best thing that’s ever happened to this band,” Reid said. “There’s not any ‘kicking and screaming’ like there was before.”
Band members share Reid’s assessment. According to drum line member Josh Cook, Umphlett is easy to work with, and the band is willing to work hard to meet his standards.
The fact that Umphlett stayed at his post has helped as well, Cook said.
“He’s the first director (in several years) who’s stayed here two years in a row,” Cook said. “That’s a big deal. Everyone has different ways they want to do things, and it’s nice that we’re not having to learn something different again.”
For his part, Umphlett was quick to give credit to the band members, whose enthusiasm and effort have been the driving forces behind this year’s band camp.
“This year has been great,” Umphlett said. “The kids have shown up ready to work and have been excited about it. They’re blowing my mind.”
The main reason he and the kids have gotten along so well is that many of them are familiar with his way of doing things, Umphlett said.
“I spent most of last year putting my system in,” Umphlett said. “I was working on getting them to know what I want and expect. They know that now.”
Though many students are repeaters, Reid said about one-fourth are in marching band for the first time. Along with SMHS students, the band recruits musicians from seventh- and eighth-grades classes at Cullowhee Valley, Fairview and Scotts Creek.
This year’s new players said they feel at home in the band. According to first-year clarinet player Emily Gonzalez, band members bonded quickly during band camp.
“It’s a little weird at first,” she said. “The people who were here last year know what they’re doing. But Mr. Umphlett made it easy to catch on. We practice so much that you learn pretty quick. You get to know each other as well.”
Brett Kehlor, another first-year clarinet player, said playing with experienced members helps to make him a better musician.
“The ‘veterans’ help us get it right,” he said.
Another thing that could have been an obstacle was the selections the young band will perform. For this year’s performances, Umphlett chose a “Sounds of the ’80s” theme. Songs include Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309 (Jenny);” Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love;” The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat;” and Heart’s “Almost Paradise.”
“I wanted to include a little bit of everything from that decade,” Umphlett said. “That’s why I didn’t choose just funk songs or ‘hair metal’ songs.”
Though they are playing pop hits written nearly a decade before they were born, band members say they are excited about the pieces.
“It’s tough playing this music that was written for electric guitars and synthesizers, but you don’t really think about it,” said Drum Major Katy Elders. “The director arranged the parts for us, and we’ll have a bass guitar player out there with us.”
“I really like the songs we’re playing,” Kehlor said. “It’s music I listen to a lot.”
Umphlett said he knew the students could play the pieces after a few days of practice. What surprised him was how many of the students liked the songs and were already familiar with them.
“When we’re on the bus going somewhere, I see some of the kids with an iPod listening to the songs,” Umphlett said. “Some of them may have been unfamiliar with the songs at first, but enough of them knew them to get the others excited. If they didn’t know them before, they definitely know them now.”
With their first performance approaching, both band members and director are excited to let the public see the fruits of their labor. Umphlett said the practice the band has put in will make them ready for both football games and competitions.
“We should have the first couple songs ready for the game Friday night,” Umphlett said. “That’s double what we had last year. The kids have worked so hard, these songs should be no problem.”
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