Beech Tree News Network

With marching season the rear-view mirror, Butler County High School Band members are reflecting on the school year thus far and looking ahead to upcoming events.  

The Butler County High School band has a total of 86 members. The marching season was very short, with only 5 competitions: Russellville, Logan County, Franklin Simpson, the Butler County Home Show, and Morehead. Morehead was a new experience for the band because they had never been to Morehead before, never took part in a competition that big before, and they competed with bands that they had never seen before. The bus ride for competition left at 5 a.m., according to Chase Pardue, assistant band director.

 “The kids seemed ready on the field, not as nervous as they were before the performance,” said Pardue.  The band finished fourth in their class.

“This performance showed our growth from all season.  I think that it was the best we had done emotionally and physically. it gave us a good perspective from what the judges were looking for,” said Pardue.   “We have reviewed the judges’ comments and are using them for next year’s competition.” 

Later performances, according to Pardue, were more “relaxed because the kids felt that they could cool down and just play music.”

 After the competitive season ended, the band took part in Veterans’ Day Parade and the Christmas Parade.  

The Christmas Concert wrapped up the year as the high school band joined with the middle school to play everyone’s favorite Christmas music. The concert showed off what band is all about, good music and good people playing just enjoying what they do by dressing up and decorating their instruments. This concert is a good way to show the progress from the begining of the season to the end.

Then after winter break the band jumped right into pep band, which is where the band plays popular music that the people in the basketball stands. This is important because it helps establish how the mood for the game is going.  For example, players will come up to the band and ask to play a certain song because it helps the team and the crowd also gets excited.. 

Transitioning into concert season, the band is currently practicing concert pieces for their final concert, their movie concert, as well as preparing for their upcoming Sweetheart Extravaganza, which is on February 7th, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at BCHS.  The band will play music and also be holding a silent auction of different baskets to help fundraise for more performances and next year’s marching season.

By Kayla Green, Beech Tree News Intern