The Houston High School band begins its 2021 marching season

By Student Reporter: Ashley Yan

Germantown, Tennessee--August 13, 2021-- The Houston High School marching band season just kicked off with band camp, ringing in the new year. The theme for this season is “Unfinished”, pulling inspiration from ideas of loneliness and hope at the end of isolation. Many may find familiarity in these sentiments as they emerge from a year of quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the band also finds inspiration in the semicolon movement, signifying that the story is not over, rather a continuation has begun. Melodic and uplifting melodies should be heard ringing from the band and the interesting movements and coordination of all the students are a feast for the eyes.

Houston Band director Matthew Taylor expresses his great excitement in starting the marching band again following previous cancellations due to the pandemic. Rehearsals are in full swing with the band working diligently in the summer, during school, and after school to ensure the best show is presented. This season, the band is attending multiple competitions locally, traveling to ones such as UT-Martin, Huntingdon, Paragould, and Bandmasters at the Liberty Bowl. The band will also be playing pep band tunes at every Houston High School football game, adding excitement to the stands and music to everyone’s ears.

Particularly this year, the band program is enjoying the addition of the new band room, the Pickler Performance Center, at Houston High. It greatly accommodates the 150+ student band complete with a drum line, front ensemble, colorguard, and winds. The Houston Band is a place for every student with many different opportunities and is one of the many student enrichment programs that GMSD offers. Not only can students foster their love for music, but they can also meet new people and find lasting friendships.