Carroll band steps to the music
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer
Carroll marching band is back! The band, under the direction of Don Pettit, gave its first performance on the field Friday night at C a r r o l l 'homecoming game.

Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School marching band Carroll's marching band performed Friday night at homecoming with the show, "The Sound of Magic." Bill Stauffer photo

The 29- member band

and color guard presented "The Sound of Magic" during halftime.

The first number performed was "The Magic of Harry Potter," featuring Donald Rush as trumpet soloist.

The second song, "Hog Warts Hymn," featured Heather Brickhouse as trumpet soloist.

The last selection, "Night on Bald Mountain," spotlighted Corey Johnson and Dane Schwingle as percussion soloists.

Cougar football fan Jerry D. Reinke said it was "fantastic" to bring back the tradition of a marching band after several years without one.

"It's fun to watch the band - very entertaining for people in the stands," Reinke said.

"The crowd gave the band a warm reception after Friday night's performance," Pettit said.

Pettit

This is Pettit's second year as band instructor at Carroll. He graduated from the University of Evansville in 2005 and taught band at Evansville Christian School before coming to Carroll.

"I've pushed the kids and challenged them," he said. "After last year and band camp this summer, I thought they were coordinated enough and proficient enough to march."

He said the kids had a rigorous two weeks of band camp. The training included physical warmups and running, learning the marching drill, memorizing and practicing the music, and then putting it all together.

"Marching is a big undertaking," Pettit said. "It's not easy to march and play at the same time. The kids have a lot to memorize and they have to learn their spots. It's similar to a play. They have to be right where they're supposed to be. They don't just march in a straight line - they make formations."

"They learned very quickly," he continued. "They really impressed me."

Pettit said the marching band is for grades 8-12.

"Not a single one has been in a marching band before," he said. He added that they have nice uniforms that haven't been worn in the last several years.

Pettit has also pushed the marching band to be in contests this year. They participated in their first contest on Saturday - at the Maconaquah Invitational.

"The judges said that we did a great job for a first year marching band and that we are 'taking a major step in the right direction,'" Pettit said.

On Sept. 29, they will compete at the district ISSMA contest at Lewis Cass.

Band parent Kim Forgey said it is a good experience for the kids to go to contests and to see some of the bigger bands perform.

She said she thinks Carroll's band will grow under Pettit's leadership.

"Since Mr. Thornburg left, we've been through several band instructors," she said. "What I appreciate about Mr. Pettit is his commitment to the kids and to the band program. He's got enthusiasm, and sees the potential in the Carroll band."

Her son, Patrick, is a sophomore

member of the marching band. He said the band has been working hard, and he thought Friday night's show went pretty well.