Just one superior band
JHS group shines at marching contest
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

THE JASPER HIGH SCHOOL Band received three superior ratings from judges at the recent UIL marching band contest held at Little Cypress- Mauriceville.The band is under the direction of Jeff Parma, Kenneth Dumond, Erin Parma and Daniel Hinson.

The Jasper High School band earned a Superior rating from all three judges at the marching contest Oct. 20, at Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School.

Director Jeff Parma said that while they hoped to receive all 1's from the judges, their goal was to do their best.

"We're very pleased and the kids are excited," Parma said. "We honestly didn't know how we would do. We tried to stress to the kids that a I is not a goal, it's a result. We want to do the best we can and let the ratings happen."

"It's not about beating another band. It's about doing the best you can. If they walk off the field knowing that's the best they can do, they have been successful," he said. "We try not to put so much stress on competition."

Parma said that it takes a lot of work to build a contest show. Bands begin as soon as practice starts for the new school year in order to be ready by late October.

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy

"It really takes a lot of hours. The UIL restricts time outside the school day to eight hours per week," he said. "We used less because our students are involved in so many things. We have an hour and a half band period and then we practiced on Monday nights from 5:30 to 8:30 and from 3:30 to 5 pm on Thursdays. Having those blocks of time really helped."

Comments from the judges show that the time and effort was evident.

" Good fundamentals. Teaching is evident. Good job," wrote one.

Another comment read, "You have strong fundamentals and well executed drills!"

Parma said that he and the other directors who assist are proud of what the group accomplished.

"We are very proud," he said. "This is a very dedicated group of kids and they have worked hard all year long."

The band's drum majors, he said, are also factors in the group's success because of their leadership.

"Senior Colton Smith and junior Andrew Kier are good musicians and good leaders," he said. "They are good friends and they practice together."

Kier said that he was nervous but expected a strong performance.

"It's a lot of hard work but also fun," he said. "I knew it would be a strong performance, but I was nervous as well. I knew we had done well either way whether we got a I or a II."

Smith, who is a senior, said he expected to do well but also had some worries.

"I know I always have to be prepared for whatever happens on the field," he said. "People can do something that throws another person off. I have to be prepared to correct that. I expected everyone to do well but worried about everyone staying focused. There are a lot of distractions when you play before a quiet audience. Band members hear things, like part of the music they don't normally hear above the noise at a football game and think, 'What's that?' It can throw them off so they make mistakes. We didn't make mistakes, though, and I was very pleased . Everyone had worked so hard and they deserved a I."

Now that marching contest is over, one might think they can rest easy; but the upcoming months will be even busier.

"A lot of people think we're done after football season," Parma said. "We really get busy in the spring and the upcoming contests help kids build skills. They are important to our program because the focus in All-Region tryouts, solo and ensemble contest on individual skills."

All-Region tryouts are in December, followed by Solo and Ensemble contest in February, along with Concert and Sight-reading contest in April. The band will go to Chicago in May for a bit of culture and fun.

The staff also includes Kenneth Dumond, high school band assistant director; Erin Parma, junior high director; and Daniel Hinson, Rowe director and assistant.

"We all assist each other," Jeff Parma said. "Band classes are scheduled at different times at the various schools so we travel between schools to help teach."

The staff's philosophy of being the best one is evident in the words of senior Terren Moon after the marching band's superior rating: "You have to have a lot of pride to be in the band. It's a lot of work and if you don't, it's not worth it. I'm a senior and I gave it my All. I want to go out with a bang."