By Sara Tolar, Special to The Trussville Tribune
CLAY – The Clay Chalkville High School band is celebrating its 20 year anniversary with this years show “Celebration.” This year’s show will include “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang,” “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie, “1999” by Prince and “Shut up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.
Band camp starts for auxiliaries and percussion on July 18, and goes from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The rest of the band starts practice on July 20 and doesn’t end band camp until August 3. After school practice starts on August 11 and goes from 3:15 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and after school practice continues throughout football season.
Flutist Courtney Ray said that band camp was the best part of summer for her.
“Band camp was probably the best part of my summer,” Ray said. “Getting to see all of my friends and doing something we all enjoy, making music.”
For the first time, the Cougar band is introducing a rifle line to the half time show. The line features 15 girls, who have been training since band camp. They were featured for the first timed during the song “1999” on August 26, which was Cougars’s second game.
Colorguard Sponsor Laci Gonzalez said that she wanted to add the line because it adds another element of entertainment. Gonzalez was on her college’s colorguard and rifle line, and decided to pass it on to her students because she thought they would enjoy it.
The addition of Rifle Line was a shock to many of the colorguard “veterans.” Colorguard veteran Malyria Jackson questioned why Gonzalez would add rifle line to the show, saying it looked very difficult, and she never knew it would be a part of the show.
“Mrs. Gonzalez pushes us to do anything and everything, especially new things she brings to the table,” Malyria said. “There were a lot of moments I doubted myself, or thought I couldn’t do it. But I tried out and made it. It was a real boost in confidence. I really love it now. It was a great decision.”
Prior to each game, the band meets in the Clay-Chalkville auditorium where they warm up before leaving for the game. In the stands, the band performs a variety of music to excite the football team and Cougar fans.
“If the football team is falling behind, it boost morale. We play music that pumps up the football team and excites the crowd,” Abby Jaillet, Cougarette sponsor, said.
Ray said the halftime show gets her excited and “pumped up” for the second half of the game, as well as for more Cougar football. Not only does the halftime show excite band members but for most, the show is important to them.
“This year’s show hold a special place in my heart because our school was opened 20 years ago,” Ray said. “ It just reminds me of how much you can accomplish in life as you get older.”
