The PHS Marching Band and Color Guard includes (not in order) Danica Christian, Erin Crannick, Adelynn Darwin, Skylar Francis, Serena Hanks, Autumn Johnson, Kora Kemner, Elizabeth Linhorst and Kylee Lukefahr, Anna Abbott, Mariah Bauwens, Ashton Anschultz, Noah Bergman, Emily Baker, Dominic Buerck, Rose Baker-Mosley, Natalie Casillas, Donivyn Bridges, Kate Clifton, Katy Broeking, Lilly Darwin, Sofia Buerck, Kaden Dibooglu, Jacob Casillas, Thomas Dowdy, Mya Christian, Nathaniel Dreyer, Devin Clifton, Phebe Dunker, Taylor Ebersohl, Taylor Greer, Daisy Ernst, Cheyenne Hasty, Greyson Ernst, Johannah Hoffer, Hallie Figge, Jonathan Kluender, Nathan Geringer, Megan Kluender, Haylie Hagan, Eric Linhorst, Lexi Howe, Lydia Lohmann, Isabella Iffert, Angel Mahathath, Lexi Johnson, Megan Matasci, Jada Knop, Julie Morris, Chris Linhorst, Delainy Napier, Trenton Lorenz, Libby Reed, Destinee Morland, Macie Smith, Destiny Mudge, Kiera Stanley, Jacob Otte, Katelynn Starr, Katelyn Pittman, Vicky Trejo, Jeff Redecker, Halle Wengert, Jeremy Reisenbichler , Breanna White, Ayla Schuler, Samantha Yamnitz, Cecillia Spencer-Hayes, Jayden Stortz, Caleb Triller, Vohn Vandeven, Macy Vincent, Grady Warren, Austyn Wolk, Savannah Young, Olivia Iffert and Wesley Pfaff.
By Kate Martin, kmartin@pcsd32.com
You can feel the excitement as they take the field. The home crowd roars and then you hear the bam-bam-bam of the snare drums, and the boom-boom of the bass. Then the Friday night air is filled with the sweet sounds of clarinets ... and suddenly the Perryville High School Marching Band comes to full life.
That’s a Friday night in Perryville, to the delight of Pirate Nation.
And it’s something we no longer take for granted, after the pandemic sidelined our Buccaneers for the 2020-21 marching season.
The band, under the direction of PHS Band Directors Jerry Childers and David Barani, along with the Color Guard, directed by Vocal Music Director Taylor Davis, returned to the field August 28 for its first halftime performance since 2019.
“It feels great to be back out there again doing what we love!” said Mr. Barani. “Having to give up our season last year was incredibly defeating and the fall felt hollow for sure. Getting back on the horse has been phenomenal. The kids have been so positive, extremely dedicated, focused, and determined this year like I’ve never seen them before.”
Ms. Davis agrees. “We are rejuvenated each day that we are able to do what we love — making music with the students of Perry County School District 32,” she said.
“We cherish the hard work being put in, the wonderful music being made, and the memories being created that will last a lifetime,” Ms. Davis said. “These students are relentless in work ethic and grit, they haven’t wasted a moment in getting back on the field.”
That work ethic is paying off at competitions, too. The Marching Buccaneers earned first place at the Music on the Meramec Band Competition in September, with caption awards in percussion, Color Guard, Music and Visual categories. The band took third place Oct. 10 in Class 4 at the SEMBDA Contest in Sikeston. The percussion score ranked second of 12 bands.
This year’s show, called The Dream Giver, carries a special message. “When Mr. Barani and I began to write our ideas for this year’s show I wanted to bring a message of hope to our students and audiences,” Mr. Childers said. “ The story of The Dream Giver speaks of sharing a promising future with others and I feel that students have grasped the message and feel they are sharing that message with their audiences.”
Ms. Davis said that The Dream Giver represents the strength and grace to dream. “In my opinion, dreaming is one of the most courageous things a person can do in this life because there is always a risk that once someone dreams, it might not come true,” she said. “However, the strength and hope it takes to dream in the knowledge of possible defeat is the inspiration I have taken from the show and I hope the students, faculty, and community can do the same.”
And Mr. Barani says that this moment in history is reflected in the show as well. “Our 2021 show is about following your dreams and not letting anything stop you,” he said. “We’re not going to let COVID destroy our dreams — or our band program for that matter. We shall endure and not just survive but thrive.”
The directors know that the pandemic has indeed ended some band and music programs across the country. The PHS music program struggled last year as well.
“We were just beginning to see a large increase in numbers in the entire band program when school was closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic,” Mr. Childers said. “Retention and recruitment of new and current band members was abruptly interrupted and unfortunately will have an effect for the next few years. The students who committed to our summer band camp this year and who have continued in the band have worked hard and with amazing consistency all season long. When I watch this band rehearse every day and perform every weekend I am very proud of what they have accomplished.”
PHS Assistant Principal Shadrick Shafer notes the importance of music programs in schools. “The band program cultivated by Mr. Childers and Mr. Barani continues to be a point of pride for our school, our students, and our community. The positive influences of music on our children’s social, emotional, and educational development has been proven time and again. The dedication these students show to their craft is nothing short of inspiring.”
Parents like Teresa Geringer are also proud of the PHS Marching Band, and happy to see the return of the halftime show and competitions. “When I watch these kids perform it brings a tear of joy and warms my heart,” she said. “They are doing an amazing job. I know it took a lot of hard work, but they are winning awards now. This group of students is amazing, and the staff that works with them are awesome. We’re all so proud of the band, color guard and their directors.”
