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closeWith the start of football season, halftime audiences throughout the region are being treated to the programs Central Kentucky marching bands have been hard at work on since the dog days of summer.
Some bands who compete in the Kentucky Music Educators Association, Bands of America or Mid States Band Association circuits still have a long way to go before they're ready to take their shows off their home football fields and into the competitive circuit.
Most bands are striving for superior ratings throughout the season and during finals competitions to earn their spot in the KMEA State Marching Band Championships in Louisville Nov. 7. Only a select few bands from the state — the best of the best — will earn the right to compete at Papa John's Stadium in front of a potential audience of 20,000 people.
Mari Cowan, 14, a color guard member, practiced Aug. 13 at Lafayette High School. The band will be performing a program called Metamorphosis.
Drum major Jaasiel Wilson, one of four, kept time on a plastic block as the band practiced both forward and backward steps on Aug. 13 during band practice at Lafayette High School. Wilson is the band's first male drum major since the 1988 season.
Drum major Jaasiel Wilson, one of four, kept time on a plastic block as the band practiced both forward and backward steps on Aug. 13 during band practice at Lafayette High School. Wilson is the band's first male drum major since the 1988 season.
George Rogers Clark High School's pit crew practiced at an August rehearsal. The band's new director this year is Stephen Crosby.
Franklin County High School marching band practice directed by Dave Shelton Aug. 13, 2009 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Amy Wallot l 8588
Kelsey Crim - Jesica Gadd, 14, performed her color guard routine during Madison Southern's band practice Aug. 13 in Berea.
The Henry Clay Marching Blue Devils rehearsed in the school's parking lot earlier in the summer.
Kelsey Crim - Above: Drum Major Ariel Wilson conducted during Madison Southern's band practice August 13 in Berea. Left: Lexington Christian Academy's new marching band director Joshua Mallory, center, kept time during band practice on August 17.
The Garrard County Marching Band practiced their drill in front of their equipment trailer during summer rehearsals.
Lexington Herald-Leader - Sophomore Mary Good plays the trombone during Franklin County High School marching band practice Aug. 13, 2009 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Amy Wallot l 8588
Trombonist Clay Smith, 17, a senior, marched in time Aug. 13 at Lafayette High School. The band will be performing a program called Metamorphosis.
Lexington Herald-Leader - Junior Nick Johnson struck a pose between sets during Franklin County High School marching band practice Aug. 13 in Frankfort. The band is performing with new uniforms this year.
Members of the percussion section of the Lexington Christian Academy Marching Band practiced Aug. 17. The band has a new director this year, Joshua Mallory, and will be putting on a program called The Geometry of Life.
Kelsey Crim - The trumpet section of Madison Southern marching band played their part during a practice Aug. 13, 2009.
The bands profiled in our list submitted their information directly through directors, staff or booster members. Not all bands chose to participate. Performance dates are tentative; not all bands have full schedules set.
See more band photos on Kentucky.comBryan Station Marching Defenders
Director: Shaun Owens
Associate Director: Don Hicks
Drum Major: Maddie Lee
Program: Matador
Members: 72
Classification: 5A
Key Performance Dates: The 19th Annual Bluegrass Pageant of Bands will be held at Bryan Station on Oct. 24.
Noteworthy details: The show tells the story of a teenager's realization of a lifelong dream of becoming a championship bullfighter.
Web site: www.bryanstationband.org
Campbellsville High School
Director: Zachary Shelton.
Booster President: Karen Dickens
Drum Major: Haley Petrey
Program: Soar
Members: 30
Classification: 1A
Performances: August 29 — Mark Twain Pre-Season Exhibition, Adair County; Sept. 19 — Glasgow High School Competition, Barren County; Sept. 26 — Green County Competition, Green County; Oct. 3 — LaRue County Competition, LaRue County; Oct. 17 — Taylor County Competition, Taylor County
Noteworthy details: This is the first year for the marching band since the 2006 season. This will be the second year for the director.
Carroll County Band of Gold
Director: Scott Brawner
Booster President: Beverly Williams
Drum Major: Derek Williams
Program: Man Against Machine
Members: 37
Class: 2A
Performances: Aug 29 — Swiss Wine Festival Parade; Sept 12 — Beechwood; Sept. 19 — Campbell County; Sept. 26 — Two Rivers Festival Parade; Oct. 10 — South Oldham; Oct. 17 — Morehead; Oct. 24 — Boone County.
Franklin County Flyer Band
Director: Dave Shelton
Assistant Director: Charles Weitkamp
Director Emeritus: Rick Moreno
Booster Presidents: Donnie and Karen Brown
Drum Major: Brenden Stipes
Programs: Symphonic Hits and Homecoming. Songs in these two arrangements include Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, It Had to be You and Thriller.
Members: 95
Halftime performances: Sept. 11, Sept. 25 and Oct. 23
Noteworthy details: Last year's season was marked by both success and tragedy. For the first time in many years, the Flyer Band participated in the Kentucky Music Educators Association District Concert Band assessment, where they earned the highest rating given. The band performed with a heavy heart, though, as one of their drum majors, Jennifer Penn, had recently died in a car accident. The assessment concert was dedicated to Penn's memory.
The FCHS Band Boosters purchased new uniforms for the marching band. This year also marked the return of Rick Moreno, former FCHS band director and 1990 KMEA Teacher of the Year, as Director Emeritus.
George Rogers Clark High School
Director: Stephen Crosby
Booster President: Brent Chugg
Drum Majors: Haley Smith and Allison Marcum
Program: O... Overtures in Motion
Members: 125
Classification: 5A
Performances: Oct. 3 — Bands of America Regional in Centerville, Ohio; Nov. 14 — BOA National Finals in Indianapolis Ind.
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