Band Fan: Gaining a Whole New Perspective

As of Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Help the Marching Vikings

Not sure who kgirl is, but she posted a blog on thepilot.com encouraging people to help the Union Pines Marching Vikings get in the running for a $50,000 prize. Click here to read her blog.

Going to high school football games for me always meant two halves of action, split by a halftime, when going to the concession stand, chatting to other fans or the bathroom was uppermost in my mind.

Usually, a band playing during that halftime, with color guards swirling, as a background to the milling crowd that had much the same idea as me: food, bathroom and talk.

But I discovered different when I started going to Union Pines High School games. Fans actually kept their attention on the field - a field pulsating with percussion, brass and pageantry The Marching Vikings could put on a show.

They still do.

But there were two things I never realized about the Marching Vikings, or any other high school band for that matter: one, how much effort and practice a band engaged in, and, two, Friday night was just a prelude to what really drove the band members - participating in Saturday night competitions.

I can remember David Seiberling, the former longtime Union Pines band director, encouraging me to come watch the Viking Classic, a Saturday night competition that featured bands from around the state lumbering all their gear to Woodrow Wilhoit Stadium for a daylong competition.

It was the first time I had ever heard of such a thing: a competition for bands. Call me uninformed, but I never really had much exposure to what a high school band program was all about. I thought they just went out on Friday night to play at halftime of a football game and participate in a few local parades.

Now, I've got a son who plays for the Marching Vikings and, believe me, I've learned what is involved in being a member of a band.

Admittedly, I haven't been involved in the behind-the-scene workings, the long hours that not only the band, but also a large cadre of volunteers - mostly parents - dedicate to the program. Those parents deserve a big thank you from the Union Pines community. They are the unseen backbone of the band.

And the time the band members put in is unbelievable. Let's just say a band, like rust, never sleeps. And it's to avoid that rust that the band puts in the hours it does.

Summertime, and the living isn't easy for band members. They practice in the heat for hours at a time. They go to band camp, where they are immersed in practice 10 hours a day. When school starts, they are out there practicing after school for several hours at least three times a week.

And the pride that is built up by that dedication, and the friendships made, are something that can't be overlooked. There are 140-plus members of the band, which equals more than 11 percent of the student body at Union Pines. They are there because they want to be, and they are there to be the best they can be.

They've already proven their mettle in the early-going of band competition.

In both the Pinecrest Band Fest and the Western Harnett Screaming Eagles Classic, the band claimed the top honor offered at both events: Grand Champion, meaning they achieved the highest score of any band participating.

I'd be remiss not to mention that the Pinecrest and North Moore bands also participated in these events and also did their respective schools proud.

There is more to come for the Viking band, both under the Friday night lights at home football games and in Saturday competitions.

I would encourage any one who has never seen a band competition to circle Oct. 23 the calendar. That is the Saturday when the band will be the host for the Viking Classic, which is one of the band's biggest fundraisers of the year.

As I've said before, I never attended one of these events until my son started playing with the Marching Vikings, but do I get a kick out of it now. It really is a spectacle. And judging by the large crowds that fill the stands at these events, I'm not alone in enjoying the show.

Anywhere from 12 to 22 bands from across the state will be at the events, and all take the field to present their program, with twists and turns and props all lending to the entertainment.

Then there is the music itself, and the multitasking these performers engage in. Just think, not only are they playing musical instruments or twirling flags, but also they are doing this while marching intricate patterns across the green expanse of the field.

Although I've talked a lot about the Marching Vikings, I also have to admit that it has changed my whole outlook toward halftime at football games. No longer do I think about concessions and bathrooms, or chatting with other fans. Now, I turn my gaze back to the field and watch the band, no matter what game I'm attending.

Those performers out there deserve the utmost respect and recognition. They've earned it.

Contact Hunter Chase at hchase@thepilot.com.

More like this story

bald_dude 2 years, 7 months ago

Hunter, Awesome story! I too am a proud Band Dad, as my daughter plays in the Vikings as well. Seeing the dedication and enthusiasm that these teenagers put into not only band practice but other “life” essentials, it is understandable how these kids succeed in what we as parents often refer to as the “Real World”. The UP Viking Band does a lot for the local communities as well, from Holiday Parades, to Veterans’ Day events, and even local business Grand Openings. I am very impressed at the support the local communities provide us. I am sure you are well aware of the current Fund Raising Project the band is involved in, I am hoping that your article will inspire more of the community to find ways to become more involved in a group that has always brought great recognition not only upon itself but the whole Union Pines High School. I hope that with the increased publicity for the band that more and more people will dedicate a few minutes out of each day to go to the Pepsi Refreshes Everything Project and vote for the Union Pines High School Marching Viking Band. We have a chance to receive a grant for $50,000 which if you have seen most of the school owned instruments (tubas, baritone saxophones, drum line, and a lot of other equipment ) you would agree that the money could be well spent “Refreshing the Union Pines Band” I challenge all of the Sandhills to step up and vote each day for the band. Anyone who wants more information about the band and any of its events can go to the Union Pines Band website @ www. unionpinesband . org. See you in the stands! “Wacky Band Dad”

fwm2 2 years, 7 months ago

Hunna,

Great piece -- dig ur style man. Matter of fact, if at all possible, you should write more often...you ain't half bad at it ;)

obtog2205 2 years, 7 months ago

I will admit it is a great article about promoting Union Pines Marching Band. I personally liked the one sentence that focused on the fact that this county has a couple other schools with bands. All those children practice their hearts out not just Union Pines. I have a son at Pinecrest and he works his tail off for hours too. It would have been nice for you to have advertised for Pinecrest's BandFest too...since that is their biggest fundraiser too. I must say as a parent, Pinecrest is pretty darn wonderful and they now make up a 4A level band who have dedicated time and energy into their school and band.

TeamRhinoLLC 2 years, 7 months ago

@ obtog2205, First, this is not meant to be critical. It may have been nice for the author to "advertise" Pinecrest's Bandfest but really not appropriate for the tone of the editorial. One of the many great things about The Pilot is their openess, the Readers' Blogs are an example. If you want to see your school's band promoted this can be a tremendous asset and one that you can drive the content on. Good luck. http://www.thepilot.com/weblogs/reader/

kandjAsh 2 years, 7 months ago

Kudos to the author of this editorial. I must say as a proud aunt of a UP band member, his mother and the rest of our family cannot be prouder of all they have accomplished as a 4 a Band. They have taken home numerous awards, been the only band in this county to be invited and perform at the 4th of july parade in our nation's capital. Every competition they have been in they have excelled. Wonderful job on exposing this small highschool's achievements to all those that have not had the wonderful advantage of seeing this awesome kids in person. I can say this we are blessed to have the full support of the small communities and towns that surround Union Pines. Keep up the wonderful job guys!

bald_dude 2 years, 7 months ago

@obtog225 as you know for many years, the Union Pines band competed in 4A band categories, while the Pinecrest band was rebuilding its program, competed in 3A categories. Each year both bands supported and cheered for each other. This year when both bands were at the Western Harnett Eagles Classic they competed in the same 4A category, and as I sat in the stands watching the Pinecrest band perform I noticed that UP parents and students were cheering as another great band from our County performed. When the Union Pines band performed I noticed the same support from Pinecrest band parents and children. You would think that since such a rivalry exists between the two schools in their athletic programs that it would carry over into the band arena as well, but I have seen that this is not the case at all. This is an indicator to the caliber of our parents and children. Pinecrest is a larger school, is seen by many as having a silver spoon, and when the two schools compete, it is often the Pinecrest programs that prevail. The fact that Union Pines is a much smaller school, you find that the families and supporters are much closer and supportive of their students and very “vocal” regardless of any outcomes. This is what we do as parents, we support our children unwaveringly. I appreciate your comments and fully understand where they were coming from. The Pinecrest Band Fest (which was two weekends ago) was an awesome event for your band this year; I was pleased with how it was run. From the concessions to support operations, externally it appeared that all was running “professionally”. If you want more exposure for your band you might want to do as TeamRhinoLLC suggested. Please understand that Mr. Chase is a Union Pines Band Parent and his article was written as “HIS” perspective. I assure you that when Pinecrest takes the field at the Union Pines Viking Classic on Saturday October 23rd, 2010, you will see a sea of Union Pines band parents and members cheering your band on and pulling for a 1st Place and Grand Champion award for your band. So please “obtog225” don’t turn the “supportive” relationship that the two bands now share and enjoy into “ANOTHER” Pinecrest vs. Union Pines Rivalry.