Tag Archives: band

Allison Werner, Features

Music joins family and friends: Q&A with Phil Thomas

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By Allison Werner

Editor’s Note: This is an addition to a story published in the print publication.

Q&A session with Highland Hills Middle School band director Phil Thomas.

Phil Thomas: I am the band director at HHMS, the assistant director of the FC marching band, and I am also the director of the IUS concert band. I am also the assistant bugler at Churchill Downs! This is my 28th year teaching band in the NA-FC schools.

Bagpiper: When did you see Christian take an interest in music?

PT: Christian showed an interest in music at a very early age. He has always loved to sing. Being a band director and a musician myself, we always had instruments sitting around the house, especially brass instruments. Christian always loved to get his hands on them and experiment with making sounds.

BP: How does your musical background influence Christian?

PT: I think my musical background (as well as my wife’s) has influenced Christian in that there has always been music in our house. Since infancy, he heard either recorded or live music played at home practically every day. As he has gotten older, I think that my musical background has helped guide and coach him in his musical pursuits. Although at times, I am sure it has been a little frustrating for Christian having a professional musician and brass player living in the same house. He can tell you how many times he has been practicing in our basement at home only to have the basement door open and hear “Your second positions are a little low!” or “Are you sure you don’t want to run that last section again, SLOWER?” What I would have given to have a live-in brass coach at my house when I was growing up! (I guess it’s different when it’s your dad though.)

BP: How much time does music take up in Christian’s life?

PT: Music takes up a great deal of Christian’s time. I am sure he has told you about all of the groups in which he plays. This is on top of weekly trombone and piano lessons (and the practicing that goes along with them) as well as his own private students. And of course he is also one the FC pipers. All of the serious musicians at this school put in that kind of time though. It is what they love and what they do. As my wife and I have told Christian: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

BP: Were you always hoping your son would be involved with music?

PT: When Christian was growing up, we tried to make a conscious effort to not force him into music. We got him involved in a variety of activities and let him gravitate to what he enjoyed the most. Although, truth be told, I must admit that I am glad that it worked out to be music. It is especially enjoyable when Christian and I get the opportunity to perform together, such as in the pit orchestra for a musical or in the IUS orchestra.

BP: Do you have high expectations when it comes to music?

PT: Yes, I do have high expectations when it comes to music, both as a director and a performer. It is a very demanding discipline, but there is no greater reward for a musician than to perform challenging music extremely well.

PT: As far as anything else to add, I would just like to say how proud I am of my son and all of his musical accomplishments over the years. I am also very proud of the fact that he plans on majoring in music (and history) in college with the plan of one day being a Marine Band musician.

A&E, Michael Pepin

Freezing rain reschedules band concert

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By Michael Pepin

On Thursday Feb. 21, all after school activities taking place after 5:30 p.m. were cancelled due to the prediction of freezing rain.  This included the band spring concert, also known as the POPs Concert.

“I had seen the weather forecast and I was not at all surprised by their decision.  I think they did the right thing, even though the freezing rain never really came,” said band director Harold Yankee.

The rain started around 5 p.m. and continued off and on for several hours, however in many areas it was just rain because the temperature was not right for the precipitation to freeze.

“I am really glad that they cancelled the concert, by the time I got home it there was a thin layer of ice on our driveway already. I know that some areas received next to nothing, but that just comes with freezing rain I guess,” said senior Zachary Butcher.

This is the first time in Floyd Central history that this particular concert had to be rescheduled due to weather. Yankee explains that nearly twenty years ago a band concert was cancelled on account of a tornado warning, but that is the only other time any concert has ever been cancelled and rescheduled.

“I can remember that last year the Parent Show for marching band was cancelled twice on account of heavy rain, but I never thought that the POPs concert would be rescheduled,” said senior Brian Young. “It’s one of those things you think will never happen, then it does.”

The concert has been rescheduled to March 19, nearly a month after its planned time.

“The concert has not really changed anything.  We are just going to keep playing and practicing to get better.  We might try to add a new piece with all the extra time, but otherwise nothing has changed,” said Yankee.

“The weather can’t stop us, only delay us a bit,” said senior Shelby Reynolds.

News, Patrick Prifogle

Marching Highlanders place seventh at state

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By Megan Hardin and Patrick Prifogle

On Saturday, Nov. 3, the FC band marched their way to Lucas Oil Stadium, where they competed at state. “This was the most emotional performance for me, placement didn’t matter,” said senior Chloe Wassom. The emotional performance earned a seventh place finish.

Marching band performs on Saturday at the state finals at Lucas Oil Stadium. The band placed seventh in the state. This was the fourth consecutive year the marching band earned a trip to the finals. Photo by Sidney Reynolds.

“They did great, it was the best performance they have ever put together,” said band director Harold Yankey. Although they didn’t finish as well as they had hoped to they were all very pleased with their performance.

“I’m really happy about the performance. Our band improved greatly from last year, but so did everyone else’s,” said senior Christian Thomas.

“It was one of the best performances, everyone did really well,” said senior Maggie Staples. Many band members thought they deserved a higher place. “We couldn’t have done a show better than Saturday, we probably should have gotten sixth or fifth,” said Staples.

In the end, however, what really matters is the experience.

“It was a great ending to five years of band,” said Thomas.

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Derek Hanke, Features

Band members voice differing opinions on relationships within clubs

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By Derek Hanke

Marching band relationships can cause everything from distraction to increased satisfaction from band.

“If you’re dating someone within the band, you’re dating the band itself,” said senior Christian Thomas.

Being a veteran of a number of band relationships himself, Thomas can see both the positives and negatives of having one.

“You get to spend time together, but you’re also spending it with 120 of your closest friends,” Thomas said.

He thinks band relationships can turn out good or bad.

“It all depends on the people involved. There are some people who cause a lot of drama, and that’s not fun for anybody,” he said.

Sophomore Steven Pierce stands against band relationships.

“After my experience, I came away with new knowledge of why I shouldn’t be in a relationship in band,” he said.

Remaining professional is a priority to Pierce.

“I am against relationships because band is a completely serious thing, and a band relationship can get distracting,” said Pierce.

Pierce concedes that while band relationships may have benefits, they can also impair the marching band itself.

“A negative is that you can lose focus, and not use full potential,” said Pierce.

Pierce says he is okay with people who have them.

“I don’t have a problem with people being in a band relationship, I’m just going on past experience,” he said.

Senior Parker Lyons supports band relationships.

“When you’re already spending a lot of time with people in band, you’re presented with a great opportunity to date someone if that’s what you want,” said Lyons.

Lyons said band relationships are fine as long as they do not interrupt the ensemble.

“It’s important to keep things professional,” he said.

Lyons feels that outsiders are indifferent to dating within the band.

“People are okay with it. There’s always going to be a couple of people that aren’t okay with it, but that’s just their perspective,” said Lyons.

Junior Jacqueline Howard and her boyfriend sophomore Christian Bush have been in a successful band relationship for around five weeks.

“Band helped give us a lot more time together. It’s a great thing,” said Howard.

Howard is glad she is dating someone in band.

“Christian and I share the same interests and personality type,” said Howard.

Bush thinks the time spent together has an effect on the relationship.

“Band has brought us closer and given us more bonding time,” said Bush.

A&E, Patrick Prifogle

Seniors march to state finals four consecutive years

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By Megan Hardin and Patrick Prifogle

Doing what no other FC band has done before, the marching Highlanders have accomplished something remarkable as they compete in the state finals for the fourth consecutive year tomorrow.

“It’s the best feeling ever knowing that we accomplished something that no other FC graduating class has done,” said senior Shelby Reynolds.

“It’s very honoring to know that for the first time in 50 years. We came to a level of success to go to state all four years. Our goal has been to be the first band to go to state four times and we did it. I’m glad the class of 2013 made history,” said senior Craig Keibler.

Going to state for the last four years has raised the band’s expectations.

“Our goal this year isn’t just going to state; it’s doing well at state,” said senior Christian Thomas.

After finishing no higher than sixth place their last three years, the band is really trying to step up their game even more.

“This band has the potential to do better than sixth,” said Thomas.

“I think we have stepped it up this year; we need to perform well to be the best,” said senior Ryan Marksbury.

“I hope we get better than sixth, because getting sixth is getting old,” added senior Matt Drescher.

The band’s high expectations throughout the season have led them to this weekend’s honor.

“We expected to go to state this year. I think we can get fourth or fifth,” said senior Will Fancher.

In order to stop the trend of sixth place finishes, a lot of preparation has been done.

“We are working harder and are more focused, cleaning up a lot more than we have before,” said senior Andrew Frieberger

“We are working on keeping the visuals and music together,” added senior Parker Lyons.

“We need to do better on music; marching is improving,” said senior Amber Sprigler.

With all the stress of state it can be easy to forget that this is the senior’s last attempt at greatness.

“It’s kind of sad because this is the last competition I’m ever going to do at this school with this group of people,” said senior Kayla Sumner.

“This year has been stressful; it’s amazing to know I get to do it one last time,” said Sprigler.