The band has had a great year so far ! Band director Mr. Penfound said the marching has had an awesome season this year, “The students really played their all out there on the field.”  They are already working on next year’s halftime show. Last year’s halftime show was called Call of the Wild. This year’s new halftime show is called A Journey of a Hero. There will also be an honor band this year.

For middle school the following people are: Dawson Cole, Jayden Hartenstein, Arianna Bartley, Samantha Sodeman, Rebecca Bayer, Kyla Juhasz, Lily Parish, and Lauren White. This is The YSU Middle School Honor Band.

For high school the following people are Joy Mohr, Delaney Crytzer, Miah Tomaino, Lorelei Bayer, Abby Hochendoner, Blake Hochendoner, Nataly Romero, Maddie Humphrey, and Josie Baye. This is the KSU honors band.

“You have lots of opportunities in the band.”- Maddie Humphry.

Mr. Penfound’s favorite concert to do is the festival one in March.  He said, “I would have to say the Festival Concert in March. I love working on just really good concert band music, where I don’t have to program with the holidays or popular music in mind.”

That concert will be held this year on March 12th at Jackson Milton High School. The Jackson-Milton band will be going to The Hubbard Festival of Bands on March 5th, and possibly at the OMEA Large Group contest on March 13th. Mr. Penfound has mentioned one of the songs they will be playing at the upcoming concert. It’s called “Behemoth” by young composer Adrien B. Sims, as well as a classic of concert band literature, Grundman’s Kentucky 1800. There are many more they are playing but this is one that Playing in the band community. You have to function as a team, relying on the other members to help support an overall goal. But, everyone is playing their instrument differently, constantly using different muscles to achieve different sounds. All while reading the musical language in front of them. It can be an incredibly rewarding feeling when everyone is performing together.

“Band is a great community to be in!”- Prentiss Fishtorn.  

Mr. Penfound said “Usually I just have some nervous energy, as the waiting is always the worst part. But when everyone starts performing he is no longer nervous. Performing is one of the best parts in band.