By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
After eight years at Galion – the past seven as the high school band director – Jessica Hammond has the instrumental music program rolling smoothly. The numbers may even show that the program is making a comeback.
Hammond teaches band for grades five through twelve. Those in the Galion High School Marching Band learn two different marching styles: core style, which focuses on the roll step, for halftime shows and Moffit style, which features a high step movement.
“We give them both styles they get to learn,” Hammond explained, “that way if they go and play at a college, they can at least have experience in both and it’s not completely brand new.”
Hammond added that it’s not unusual for Galion students to continue their music careers with their college marching bands, a fact she said with pride.
“It’s really exciting,” Hammond said about seeing her students grow in experience with their respective instruments. “There’s a big transition in middle school – I will tell you that – which is common. They change quite a bit at that time and once they get to be freshmen in high school they finally calm down and center in on what they want to do . . . They’re a great group of kids to work with.”
Hammond had 14 eighth graders incorporated into this year’s marching band, bringing the total to 58 members for the 2015 marching season. Seven of the eight seniors in the band had been playing since the fifth or sixth grade.
“A lot of times music has been cut in the schools,” Hammond said. “I think in our community it’s seeing a comeback slowly but surely. The kids in it value it, and since we have more students in eighth grade doing it, that’s definitely going to be helpful.”
Hammond added that there were numerous benefits in being a marching band member.
“They are doing so many things at one single time and it’s a hands-on activity,” Hammond explained. “They’re getting not only experience there but also soft skills like being on time, being prompt, being prepared. They learn a lot from marching band outside of music.”
Senior Annie Holley is one of those students that have had to learn multiple skills as a percussionist. She plays the quintoms, an array offive drums set at different pitches.
“At first it was really weird to get the hang of because so many things are going on at once,” Holley explained, “but after I was able to get the hang of it, it was really fun. I’ve had so much fun playing them.”
The marching band’s senior show was held on Oct. 23 and Holley said it meant a lot to be able to put on that particular show.
“Band is all I’ve done,” Holley said. “I think of these people like my family and it’s really hard to say goodbye to all of them but it’s also really great that I’ve been able to spend this time with them for so long.”
As a senior, Holley has been involved in Galion’s music programs for a long time and has realized the importance of having band offered to students.
“Music is one of those things that can awaken somebody,” Holley explained, “like their creativity. Arts in a lot of schools don’t get enough appreciation, but Galion – they offer a great music program. It makes you really happy that we’re able to do something like this.”
It may not be apparent but one of the smallest instruments in the band can also be one of the most challenging. Just ask junior Alexis Link, who plays the flute.
“It’s really difficult,” Link said with a laugh. “You have to have quite a few flutes in order for us to be heard. There’s only three of us so it’s kind of hard to listen. I really have to play out and it’s tiring.”
Add in the fact that you have to keep your arms elevated throughout the performance and it’s no surprise that Link termed being a flutist in the band “difficult.” Despite the challenges for her specific instrument, Link loves being in the marching band.
“Everyone in the band makes you feel like family,” Link said. “It’s just something I really love to do and I just feel at home when I’m with everyone.”
“It’s really fun,” said trombonist Anna Court, one of the 14 eighth graders in the band. “The people here are super nice. I got welcomed in almost instantly. There’s a lot of practicing but it’s really fun to get out on the field to perform it.”
Court said she failed epically the first time she took the field.
“I was super nervous and I went on the wrong side of the field I think,” Court said, laughing about the mishap now. “It was rough but I figured it out eventually.”
The weeks in between the first halftime performance and one of the final performances of the season really helped Court grow as a marching band member.
“I usually only mess up once a performance and they’re usually smaller,” Court said. “It’s nice because I actually know where I’m going and I can help out other people around me because some of them haven’t quite figured it out yet.”
Court considers herself a bit quirky because she isn’t afraid to have all those eyes on her during a halftime performance.
“You get to see all your friends watching you and it’s really fun for me. I’m sure it makes others nervous but that’s just me,” she said. “I love it.”