Leominster high school marching band
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The Leominster High School Blue Devil Marching Band is made up of students from Leominster High School and middle schools. Students are eligible to participate from 7th grade until they graduate high school. For many years, this band has been one of the prides of the City of Leominster, MA and has represented its city through all of their endeavors.
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[edit] Staff
For the past several years, the band has been under the direction of Barry Hudson. He is not only a Leominster High School alumni, but also a former member of the band. He is noted for his work with the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps and Star of Indiana (better known today as the Broadway hit Blast!).[citation needed]
Other Staff Members [1]
- Drum Instructor- Chris Fratkin ('07)
- Color Guard Instructors- Rebecca Perry ('07) and Jen Ellis ('07)
- Drill Writers- Elizabeth Dailey ('07) and Viennie Chanthachack ('07)
[edit] Appearances
Throughout the fall and leading into the spring, the Leominster High School Marching Band can be found frequently performing at many various venues. These include, but are not limited to, American football games, holidays, community events, and even store openings. At each event, the band plays tunes not only that match the situation, but also keep the listeners engaged. In order to do this, especially at football games while playing in the stands, the band has added newer more popular songs into the rotation, including OutKast's "I Like the Way You Move" and "Jump" by Van Halen.
When not performing the halftime show, the band members can be found throughout the city helping out at various city events. This ranges from manning the moonwalks at the Johnny Appleseed Festival to playing tap and echo at the Memorial Day memorial wreath laying ceremony. Many of these events are a way for the band to show support for the local community.
As the band has grown in size and standing, many businesses have turned to the Blue Devil Marching Band for musical support. The band has played for Applebee's and for a Grand Opening of Dick's Sporting Goods.
[edit] Show Tunes
Each year the band picks new songs to play for the halftime shows at football games and at MICCA marching competitions. As of late, the tunes have been chosen from modern popular music in order to better attract the attention of the audience. As the band grows and changes, the difficulty and complexity of the chosen songs shifts.
- 2008-selections from West Side Story
- 2007-songs by Gloria Estefan
- 2006-songs by Earth, Wind, and Fire
- 2005-selections from The Mask of Zorro
- 2004-selections from Pirates of the Caribbean
- 2003-Spanish songs including Malaguena and Estancia
- 2002-Patriotic Tribute Songs
- 2001- selections from River Dance
[edit] Return to Competitions
In 2004, the Leominster High School Marching Band returned to the world of marching competitions. Performing their halftime show, the band put themselves in front of the judges for the first time since the 1980s. Although the scoring was not what was expected, this return marked the beginning of the band's recovery from low membership numbers. In 2006, the band scored 4 out of 5 stars for music and color guard (flag spinning) for the first time in over 20 years.
The Blue Devils march in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association circuit, often referred to as MICCA. The purpose of the MICCA circuit is not to judge bands one against the other, but instead to promote the growth of each individual band.[2]
[edit] The Band Boosters
Without the support of the Band Boosters [3], the Blue Devil Marching Band would be unable to do many of the things it has become accustomed to. This organization, made up of band parents and band alumni, helps to support the band financially, allowing the band to continue to operate without a user fee. The Boosters run the concession stands at the Leominster home field, Doyle Field, during football games throughout the fall. They also help to organize and execute the fund raisers; selecting the ones that will work best for the band.
Aside from the financial support from the Boosters, the band receives moral support from them. Many of the Boosters travel with the band to competitions or away games in order to help the members stay organized and so they can cheer the band on during a performance. As the fall progresses, the Boosters also provide food for the band members.
As incentive for those who remain in the band for more than one year, the Boosters provide a band jacket, the marching equivalent of a letterman jacket, after three years of membership. For seniors leaving the band, there is a chance at a scholarship from the Boosters Organization.
