Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The Marbury High School NorthStars marching band marched right into a winning season this past October with perfect scores in four separate competitions for one of the most winningest seasons in NorthStars marching band history.
The Marbury High School Marching Band is led by band and choir director Brett Johnson and by assistant band director Sean Handerhan, who is also the Marbury Middle School band director.
“I am very thankful for the opportunities that I have been blessed with. Music has taught me so many lessons and I’ve met so many new people. Thanks to Mr. Johnson our program has thrived. This year has been amazing and I can’t wait for next year,” 11th grade trumpet, Cody Riddle said.
The competition season goes from late September all the way through early November, and in that time the NorthStars competed at the Southeastern United States Marching Band Festival held at Troy University, the Daleville Invitational Band Classic, the Central Alabama Marching Band Contest held at Alabama State University, and Clash on the Coosa Marching Band Contest at Wetumpka High School.
At each of these competitions the Northstars received a perfect score of 1 for Drum Major, Color Guard, Majorette, Percussion and Band. The scoring process typically is scored on a 1-4 basis, where four is the lowest and one being the highest or superior rating. The goal in these competitions is to receive a one.
“This year has been absolutely amazing, to come out with superior ratings in all four of our competitions is more than we could have wished for. The way our band has grown into an even bigger family is the best part of it all, I truly love our Northstars,” 10th grade clarinet, Carlie Wingard said.
The Northstars also hosted their own competition, the 3rd Annual Camellia Marching Band Festival was held on the campus. Johnson confirmed that when a band hosts a competition, they do not compete in the competition.
The Northstars also perform at every home and away football game, cheering on the Marbury Bulldogs throughout the season. Johnson stated that each halftime show is videoed and evaluated during the season to get contest ready.
“I’m proud of how hard our students worked through a long and demanding season, and it paid off with one of the most successful seasons in our band’s history,” assistant band director Handerhan said.
However, contests and halftime performance preparations start well in advance with over a year of preparations for each season. Johnson and Handerhan give out the music as early as May for students to learn, and after the 4th of July holiday the band, color guard, dance team and majorette goes through extensive training and practice to gear up for the coming season.
“As a senior, this season was bittersweet. From the hot and dreadful practices to the excitement and relief of receiving outstanding scores, it made it very clear that this season was like no other. The kids and leaders of our program all worked extremely hard this season, and all of it surely paid off. There’s no other program like the Marbury Northstars and I will forever be proud of the success we brought as a whole,” 12th grade majorette, Madison Weber said.
When planning the routines for performances Johnson stated that a lot goes into it behind the scenes.
“You coordinate where the kids are going to be successful within the piece of music that they’re playing to give them the best chance to be successful musically and motion wise with the drill. I know it may look like it’s unorganized, but a lot of critique goes into play to make those forms on the field,” Johnson said.
Johnson is a graduate of Troy University where he studied music education and is currently in his 16th year of teaching. But his love for music started well before his collegiate marching band experience, it started in middle school where he started playing in his school’s marching band.
“Music teachers have the best job in the school, and we have the best kids and the best parents and we get to have fun and play music all day and that’s awesome,” Johnson said. “Success is great, it’s wonderful, but being a part of the band, it’s really a family. Everybody cares for each other and they are all working towards a goal. It’s amazing how intricate things are but it’s the kindness and love that each person contributes, that’s what it’s all about,” Johnson said.
In the last couple of years the band has performed on national TV several times. The NorthStars have performed at the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Hawks games, the Kentucky Derby Parade as well as at the Talladega Motor Speedway. The choir also sang at the Country Music Hall of Fame last year as well.
“Marbury’s band has been a once in a lifetime experience for me. We made all 1’s at four competitions which is amazing. Throughout this season I enjoyed when the adrenaline was high from performing,” 11th grade clarinet Sydney Cook said.
The Northstars will perform locally at the Prattville Christmas Parade with the Prattville High School Marching band on Dec. 8th at 7 p.m. The band was also selected to perform in a Mardi Gras parade on Fat Tuesday in Mobile.
Johnson stated that the band has some big things coming, and to check out their Facebook page for recent updates and other events that the NorthStars will be featured in.
“Seeing my students progress through this program, how they grow up, and how they become successful in life, knowing I had an opportunity to share a little bit of that process is incredible when you really dive into it,” Johnson said.
