The Lebanon Tiger Pride Marching Band has been active at LHS since 1949 and has been deeply rooted in the community ever since. But the Tiger Pride also has a community of their own. It is based on a sense of family, having trust in others, a strong work ethic, and being open-minded to other ideas and changes.
Logan Zamora, Senior, said “Band is my second home. It is a place where you feel welcomed and able to be yourself.”
When one thing gets changed or altered, it implements the Domino effect; when one falls, all the others go down with it. The most recent example of that is the change in staff.
It has been the biggest challenge the program has faced so far. But we are pleased to welcome the new Head Director, Ms. Boone, and Assistant Director, Mr. Rodriguez. Not forgetting to mention Percussion Director, Mr. Williams, and Percussion Technician, CJ McConnell. The Tigerettes staff has remained unchanged with Director, Amanda Wines, and Assistant Director, Taylor McQueen.
Director, Ms. Boone “I am most excited about the potential that all of the kids have and the growth that has and will continue to occur over the season.”
As it is currently football season, you will see the band at Friday night home games; but what you will not see is:
– 3-hour rehearsals that happen 2 nights a week
– Memorizing 10 minutes of music
– Band Camp in July for 2 weeks straight with 9-hour days
– Drill Camps on random Saturdays for 7 hours
– Giving up the football field to the football team so they can practice
– 12-hour competition days
And that does not include the musical pit, charisma band, pep band, jazz band, wind ensemble, concert band, indoor percussion, or winter guard. The band program prides itself on being very versatile in their areas of expertise. The wind ensemble, concert band, and jazz band are classes that are taken during the school day and in the winter, spring, and fall they have concerts with the music they rehearse in class.
The point is band is more than meets the eye because it also makes a substantial impact on the lives of the students in it.
Blake Stivers, Senior, said “Joining the Marching band has given me a sense of purpose and made me realize I want to dedicate my life to music.”
The main thing we have learned is that everyone comes together from various places for the common good. Whether that is their home life, social life, or economic status, none of that matters when they are on the field performing for a crowd. The students in the Lebanon Band Program have a huge sense of family and community that we believe should be adapted by other programs for the future.
“At the end of the day, if you put in the hard work, you will come out of it being happy and proud of what you overcame.” said Kylee Rodriguez, Senior.