Hartselle High marching band gears up for exciting season
rebekah.yancey @hartselleenquirer.com
The Hartselle High School band is marching full steam ahead into what promises to be an exhilarating season. Band camp this year has been a blend of triumphs and challenges, but band director Randall Key said facing some challenges isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“We had a productive camp despite needing to adjust for the weather. The rain did hinder our drill setting, but we used that time to focus on our music, which allowed us to make significant progress,” he said. “We still managed to rehearse and march through our opener, adding a few new moves to our second song.” Key emphasized that facing challenges head-on is part of the band’s growth and success.
Each year, the band sets consistent goals: fostering leadership, delivering high-quality performances and promoting teamwork and compassion. This year, the band is not only enhancing its visual and musical presentations but also embracing some exciting new elements.
“Our Band Boosters generously purchased new uniforms, and we’re thrilled to showcase them. We’ve also introduced a new team-building activity and implemented a grid system to aid in learning the drill,” Key said.
The long hours of practice are balanced with the students’ self-motivation and eagerness. With their first football game just around the corner, Key is confident in the band’s drive. “The students are aware of the upcoming challenges and are motivated to rise to the occasion. ‘I’m proud to say they’re self-motivated and eager to continue our winning tradition,” he added.
The band’s show theme for the season is “Air, Land, and Sea.” The performance will feature an array of energetic music, including classics like “Rocking Down the Highway” and “Route 66,” along with crowdpleasers such as “Southern Cross” and “I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Key hints at evolving highlights throughout the season, with new songs and moves being added regularly.
The band’s busy schedule includes more than 25 performances this fall, with major events such as the North Alabama Marching Exhibition and various parades. Key said his students are especially excited about performing under the Friday night lights at J.P. Cain Stadium. Student leaders play a crucial role in the band’s success, helping with field maintenance, section instruction and overall organization. “Our leadership team is essential to maintaining our standards and achieving our goals. We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of leaders this year,” Key said. “Prior to band camp, we hold a leadership camp where we establish yearly objectives and teach our students to lead by example. We want our leaders to model the correct way to perform tasks and show compassion and understanding.” Community and parental support also play a vital role. Key encourages residents to attend performances and show appreciation for the students’ hard work. “Recognizing and motivating the students by acknowledging their hard work and dedication is also greatly appreciated. We live in a wonderful town, and we should all share the same enthusiasm for our athletic programs, academic programs, fine arts and everything our schools promote. I encourage our band members to show appreciation and support for our football team, cheerleaders and dance team, and I hope they share the same philosophy,” Key said. “Our 2011 football State Championship was particularly special because it reflected community-wide support. It wasn’t just a football championship-it was a Hartselle championship.”
