Being part of Marching Knights

Being a part of the band family at West is an amazing experience. This is not just because of how nice it looks to colleges; it’s because of how tight knit the members become through playing an instrument.

One member of the band family is junior Ethan Anderson. His interest in band class is caused by how much he enjoys playing instruments. In band you are given the opportunity to try new instruments. Anderson tried the vibraphone, but he used to play trumpet. Now Anderson can play both the vibraphone and the trumpet. Anderson played the trumpet for four years and the vibraphone for two. Anderson mentioned how all of the members of band interact with each other.

“They’re caring and they try to help you get better at playing,” he said. Anderon’s favorite part of being in band is playing at football games and hanging out with his friends. His most memorable moment was getting two trumpet solos. Anderson was nervous at first, but he asked fellow junior Matthew Price to help him and Price did. Anderson is taking band because he wants to try and get better and later on help others with their instrument if they struggle.

Anderson’s advice to new band members is to “Try your best, and if you can, help others if they struggle. And don’t leave anyone out of band”. When he first started playing in front of others he was nervous but after a while it wasn’t bad. Later on he got used to playing in front of people.

Another member of band class is senior Wesley Bower. Bower says "being in band class is a lot of hard work and takes dedication. This pays off in the end, and all members have fun." Bower is in the percussion section which includes multiple instruments. He has been a percussionist for seven years. Every band member is a hard worker and almost everyone knows each other. He loves competition season and getting to spend time with friends. Bower has had many memorable band moments over the years.

“Lower state this past Saturday was extremely memorable, it was very emotional, and amazing,”he said. Bower's brother was also in band and he has always looked up to him. Bower said he wanted to be as good as him if not better.

"You should take band class because you will absolutely love it,” he said. When he is performing in front of others it will always be a little nerve wracking, but then it smooths out because he gets in his zone.

The band director, Johnny Powers, is a big influence to all band members. The preparations for each event are very important to the quality of the performance.

"Our preparations for each event begin super far in advance,” Powers said. Most members begin to meet sometime in summer, either late or early July. He explained that all members participate in several weeks of camp in order to learn the fundamentals of marching.

“We then practice 3 days a week for 3 hour blocks to develop our marching band show,” Powers said. Then, the students also march on Friday nights to practice for Saturday competitions, where they are adjudicated. Powers also mentioned the performance at the SCBDA (South Carolina Band Directors Association). He explained that the band competes for the top 8 spots which offer them a chance to perform for the SCBDA State Finals.

“They finished less than a point behind 8th, which would have earned them a spot in the State Finals! This is one of the highest placements in school history,” he said. The pride that both Powers and the band must have felt was immense, considering that this is a high rating that made school history.

Interested in joining band?

“Do it. You will not regret it. The band is hard work, but you will discover strengths about yourself that you never knew existed,” Powers said.