Galesburg marching band finishes season at Indianapolis; Here's a look at the season
The Galesburg High School Marching Band finished its season Oct. 21 at the Bands of America competition among 84 bands at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Register-Mail asked Director of Bands Andy Empey to reflect on the band's performance at Indianapolis and throughout the season.
1. How did you feel about the band’s performance at Indianapolis (how did they score)?
Empey: The Marching Streaks had their best performance of the season at the Bands of America competition. They competed against some of the best bands in the country representing nine states. The band placed 52nd out of 84 competing bands, with a 68.55 earning them a Division 2 rating. This was easily the biggest stadium that the band has performed in and offered some new challenges with being in a dome environment as well as some different field markings due to it being a professional field. I could not be more proud of our kids with how they handled their performance and representing Galesburg!
There were four Illinois marching bands that competed at this Bands of America Super Regional:
- Lincoln Way High School from New Lenox IL - Made finals with a prelims score of 83.45
- Galesburg High School - 68.55
- Rock Island High School - 65.5
- Wheaton North High School - 60.8
2. This is the GHS band’s first performance in Bands of America. Did you have to audition? How does the selection process work?
Empey: There isn't an audition process to be accepted into the Bands of America contest. We just sign-up and pay our fee and we are in. This contest is a prelims and finals format contest. From prelims, the top 14 bands from the two-day competition qualify to compete in finals, which was held on Saturday evening, which our students were able to watch. There are several Bands of America contests throughout the country, which culminates to Bands of America, Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana. This year, BOA Grand Nationals is Nov. 10-12 at the Lucas Oil Stadium.
3. Can you tell us a little about each of your drum majors this year and how they performed?
Empey: We are so lucky to have three amazing drum majors that are outstanding student leaders. Our drum majors are senior, Brady Warner, senior, Andrew Hawkinson, and sophomore, Sofie Jones-Rhoades. These students have the difficult task of conducting the Marching Streaks and keeping them together, which can sometimes be a difficult task, especially in a dome with an echo. Our three drum majors have continually gone out of their way to help their fellow students, always arriving early and leaving late, and ensuring that everything is ready to go from equipment to performing at a high level. I can't say enough about these outstanding students.
More:Meet the packaging company bringing 100 jobs to Galesburg
4. Were there turning points in this band season? Please describe them.
Empey: After coming out of COVID, this band is still pretty young. In all reality, this is only the first or second year other than our seniors being in marching band for our band members, so we were still teaching them how to move and play along with making forms. The beginning of the season started slowly, but picked up quickly once we started our competitions. The exciting part of this season for me as a teacher was that the kids never gave up and kept pushing. They showed an incredible amount of growth from day one to the end of the season. I felt that our audiences always saw something a little different at our performances. We placed first at our first competition at Washington High School, which really got them excited.
5. What role do the GHS Band Boosters play?
Empey: We could not do what we do without our Band Boosters and all of the parents who help. The Band Boosters help to provide monetary support beyond what the school district provides. Our parents provide so much with building props, pushing equipment and props on and off the field, fitting uniforms and helping the kids get ready, and the parents that help pull our trailers to each competition. I always say that it takes an army to make our band successful, and our parents are amazing! Along with our Band Boosters, we are so fortunate to have a supportive school district and community that values music and the arts. The addition of our amazing new facilities at GJSHS with a new band and choir room as well as a state of the art Performing Arts Center is incredibly encouraging and something that we are so proud of.
6. Do you anticipate growth (more students) in the band program in the coming years?
Empey: There has been so much excitement for music in District 205 over the past three years! In 2020, we started beginning band in 5th grade rather than 6th grade and we have seen huge numbers in our younger grade levels for band and choir. This year's 5th grade band has 138 students and our 6th grade has 106 members under the direction of Devin Cano. We are expecting significant growth over the next three to four years in the high school band, which is exciting!
More:Fashion show, symphony performance; Things to do in Galesburg this weekend
7. Tell us about the staff?
Empey: We are lucky to have an amazing band staff at GHS this year. Our band faculty includes myself, Devin Cano, Dena Baity, Kyle Barshinger, and Sandra Deligiannis. Additional band staff included Eric Spindler, Dave Fairchild, Doug Smith, Garrett Sprinkle, and Chris Regiacorte.
8. Final words to the community about the band.
Empey: I just want to reiterate how proud we are of our band students. The kids have had a great deal of success due to their dedication, time, and hard work, all attributes that will serve them for the rest of their lives. We love to win, but ultimately it's about having their best performance and entertaining our audiences in a subjective activity. We may have come in second at some of our contests, but I am positive that the Marching Streaks were a fan favorite at every show they attended.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Bands of America: Galesburg IL marching band performs in Indianapolis
