Marching Band shows off its precision, musical abilities

The Smoke Signal — Stafford High School — Volume 63, Issue 3, Page 8

It’s that time of year again. Marching Band is starting to wind down, but not for Mr. Chuck Hite, the Band Director of Stafford for nineteen years now.

You’re probably wondering how the theme for Marching Band and Color Guard is chosen each year. “I choose our theme based on a recent movie or Broadway show, something that other schools in the area probably won’t do. Last year, our theme was ‘Wicked,’ which is a Broadway show, and most people had never heard of it,” Hite says.

After he chooses the theme for the year coming up, he hires a drill instructor around November or December to create choreography moves to each song. But don’t expect Hite to give away next year’s theme — he wants it to be a big surprise.

Then when he gets done choosing the theme and hiring the drill instructor, it’s on to planning the yearly band trip. Last year the band went to New York City and performed there. This year, their trip will be to Chicago.

But this is just the beginning for Hite. He also has to choose who will be on the Marching Band for the upcoming school year. “To make it on the Marching Band, the student must be in a band class. They have to go to rehearsals and go to band camp for the last two weeks before school,” says Hite.

Christina Millson has been Drum Major for about two years now. Her job is to keep the band together and she leads them during practices, competitions and football games. To make Drum Major, she had to audition for it. “As part of the audition, I directed the Star-Spangled Banner and shouted a series of commands I had memorized,” Millson says.

“What does it take for a marching band to be a real Marching Band? A real marching band must be able to perform at a high standard and members should feel as if they are putting their whole heart into it. It is also important that members enjoy their performances, rather than stress about making them pictures of perfection. In a sense, members of a real marching band are like a unit or family, all working hard to produce an exciting show for an audience of all ages,” says Millson.

Also, congratulations to the Band for ending the season with a big bang. At the Virginia Beach competition, music was first in class, marching was first in class, drum line was first in class, flags were third in class, and drum major was second in class. Stafford was first place overall in class competition and was second place overall for the whole competition.