Green Canyon Band Marches Into the Spotlight
The 2017-2018 school year marks many monumental ‘firsts’ for Green Canyon High School. Whether it be an academic success in the classroom or new clubs and teams making their mark, there are countless things for which Green Canyon can be proud. This fall, Green Canyon’s marching band proved they were a force to be reckoned with. The rookie ensemble marched themselves straight into the spotlight by wowing crowds all across the state of Utah.
As a brand new high school, many hopeful student-musicians worried they would be unable to participate in this band season due to the school division. “We didn't know how it would turn out,” explained band director, Randall Beach. “We ended up with 80 students, and for our first year, we were thrilled. It’s not a very big band, but we thought, ‘Hey, we can do this! It’s big enough.’” The small, but exuberant band of 80 students exceeded everyone's expectations and set the bar high.
During the early summer months, the band began their practices without all of their instruments or a field to call their own. Day in and day out they would haul instruments to different parks, ready and excited for another day of rehearsal. “What impressed me, is that I never heard a complaint,” reflected Green Canyon Principal, Dave Swenson. “They were just grateful to have the instruments they had, and a field to practice on.”
At the beginning of their season, the band proudly took home awards for placing first in their division and for most outstanding in music visual, percussion, and color guard. At the Red Rock Final in Saint George, the ensemble, yet again, took first in their division, winning the state title.
This award qualified the first year marching band to compete in the nationally-sponsored competition, Bands of America Western Regional Championship. “The competition there was the toughest we have ever seen it,” said Mr. Beach. “Most bands there were much much larger (200-300 plus band members). Our little band of 80 members came in, and gave the performance of a lifetime, placing them in the top ten. It was one of the neatest things I've ever seen.”
“For them to come together as a group and work as hard as they did, and accomplish what they did in the context of the big picture, is just huge,” reflected Mr. Beach. “That’s all great, but even more important is that they are an amazing group of young people. I think everywhere they went, and in everything they did, they represented themselves, they represented Green Canyon, and I think they represented our school district and our valley with great class and professionalism.”
Congratulations, to the Green Canyon marching band on your success. Below is a list recognizing the band’s student instructors:
Color Guard Director: Katie Anderson
Visual Instructors: Lana Williams & Elena Peterson
Percussion: Jake Peterson, Curtis Peterson, & Emily Densley
Assistant to Ms. Anderson: Siera Allen