Leopard Band Already Back to Work
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Director Chris Cooper speaks to the band, giving them directions for the next drill. Photo by MaKenzie Givan -
The baritone section holds their horns up as they march during outside rehearsals. Photos by MaKenzie Givan -
Students stretch outside on the marching field before beginning marching drills.
The La Grange Mighty Leopard Band held its first week of full band rehearsal, running July 25 through 29. Each day ran from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and consisted of full ensemble rehearsals outside in the morning when it was cooler, sectionals inside in the afternoon, and full ensemble rehearsals inside at the end of the day.
This year’s show theme is ‘Metamorphosis’ and includes music from Swan Lake, as well as Chandelier by Sia. As indicated by the title, the show will conceptually tell the story of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. This story of growth and transformation is a significant concept for the La Grange band program. Last school year, three new band directors and a new color guard coach were hired, meaning that the band program was standing on a completely new playing field. The directors, student leadership, and members had to learn to work together, to trust one another. Nevertheless, they persisted, and now the program is preparing to spread its wings.
Head drum major Jill Newton shares, “Communication is a big skill that we have learned to use this year. Last year, a lot of student leaders didn’t know how to lead in the same way. We were all just trying to do what we could as an individual, instead of it being all of us doing things together to lift the band up as a team like we’re able to now.”
This school year, the community will begin to see this transformation visibly, not just in the marching show, but in the band itself. Along with a new loading trailer that the band got in at the end of last semester, the students will also be performing in brand new uniforms, as well as the drum majors on new podiums. The band has also increased in numbers this year as compared to last year, with a larger color guard, more musicians, and three drum majors instead of two.
“The first time they march into the stadium in their new ASS uniforms, that’s going to be a very special moment for me,” said head director Chris Cooper. “I’m also looking forward to competitions as the season progresses, when the entirety of the program is on the field and the audience gets to see the improvement of the band.”
The Mighty Leopard Band program is definitely stepping into a new era this year. Through lots of hard work, as well as an abundance of community support, they are headed in a direction leading to amazing things.