By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Michael Rodriguez
At the advice of a dear friend of mine, I will not begin this column – a tribute to the San Benito High School Mighty Greyhound Band and the parents who participated in making our last edition so memorable – with the opening phrase, “One time, at band camp…”
…oops
“It’s dated, Mike!” my friend said when hearing of my intentions to quote the oft-used line. In my defense, however, consider that I did not want to write an article about a high school marching band without challenging those who dismiss the extracurricular activity as something only geeks participate in. I blame American Pie for this acknowledgement being necessary, but the truth is that anyone foolish enough to ridicule band programs in general has obviously never felt as passionately about music as I have.
I joined band my sixth grade year at Miller Jordan Middle School not necessarily planning to one day march before hundreds of people. I just wanted to learn how to play the riff to U2’s “New Year’s Day” on the alto saxophone, or Clarence Clemons’ sax solo in the Bruce Springsteen classic “Rosalita.”
While I did learn those things, what I came away with was much more gratifying. I know how to read music now, and I’ve developed an appreciation for genres I would not have otherwise been open to, such as Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” and Gustav Holst’s orchestral masterpiece “The Planets.”
Of the seven movements in “The Planets,” by the way, Mars became my favorite. I still remember getting chills when a particular crescendo rose to what’s arguably the most climatic part of the entire suite. Those few bars of exquisite melody continue to echo in my mind. It was really quite riveting. It’s just too bad that I lacked the talent to do the piece justice.
Still, I enjoyed performing in the band, conversing and learning from other music aficionados and instrumental connoisseurs. After learning about song structure and understanding the difference between arpeggios and broken chords as well as how to craft a tune from scratch, my experiences in the seven years I was in band (three at MJMS and four at SBHS) are by far more rewarding than anything else I did in school.
My only complaint was the marching. I was never very good at it. I was a tall, lanky kid who kinda goofed off a lot and would often miss school due to legit illnesses (no, really!). As a result, I often forgot my sets. Sets, by the bye, are the points designated by the directors that instruct marchers where to move on the field. Obviously, it’s a rather vital part of choreographing a show, so imagine being a director stuck with one kid who just couldn’t get it right.
Despite my shortcomings, there were years when we thought the band could advance to state. After all, as a collective, we were good. The only problem is that we weren’t good enough. We earned division 1 ratings at Pigskin a few years but could never make it past Area. That’s why it’s a big deal to this town that San Benito’s finally going to be represented at the UIL State Marching Band contest on Tuesday.
Take it from someone who understands the difficulty associated with performing at these marching competitions – what the 2012 edition of the Mighty Greyhound Band has done is nothing short of extraordinary. They are pioneers as the first band members of their alma mater to achieve as much, and they’ll forever be remembered.
I’d also like to give a shout out to the parents. You guys rock! There’s no other way to say it. Supporting your beloved band students is expected, obviously, but to advocate and demand their recognition as fervently as you do is moving.
With that said, if you enjoyed our commemorative edition and two-page spread that paid tribute to the band in the Oct. 31st San Benito News, thank the band parents who submitted photos of their kids, such as Adriana Lopez, Jose and Maggie Rivera, and my sister Melissa Ysasi and her husband Rudy, whose daughter Cassandra plays “The Girl” in this year’s show. Credit should also be given to photographer T.J. Tijerina and the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District for trusting in the News to do the band justice. Their cooperation proves that a community can come together to create something special. I hope we can do it again sometime soon.
Read this story in the Nov. 4 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
Outstanding piece, Mr. Editor. We are very, very proud of all the hard work of the directors, the band students, and most especially our son, Reed. Keep up the great work, San Benito New!