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Concord High School marching band prepares for new year

By Jessica Groover | Independent Tribune

Published: August 21, 2009

As football teams and other sports teams prepare for the beginning of the school year, the marching bands are right there, too.

For Concord High School's band, this summer's preparations were even more extensive. For his second year as director, Doug Morin not only had two weeks of band camp for students, but also camps for the rookies, color guard members and the leaders of the marching band.

"Needless to say, the students are dedicated to be members of this band," Morin said.

Having time for the rookies to be trained before they work with the veteran members and time for the leaders to build trust and confidence will make the band stronger this year, Morin said.

"We've had more of an opportunity to build a team and to build an ensemble," Morin said. "That helps the students when they know each other and trust each other."

Senior Eli Kaser-Odor, 16, has noticed the positive changes to the band.

"The leadership is better because we did classes," Kaser-Odor said. "That will lead the band into a better direction for coming years."

This will be Kaser-Odor's fifth year as a member, and he has seen or worked with three band directors before Morin. Having so many different leaders is something he said has frustrated band members in the past.

"I definitely think it's made some people not (participate in band), because they are not willing to change," Kaser-Odor said.

Now, under Morin's leadership, Kaser-Odor said some traditions have changed for the better, such as members being dismissed based on their years in band, and the relationship between the middle school band has improved.

"(Before,) we went from a good relationship with the middle school to a nonexistent one, but we've started building that up," Kaser-Odor said. "It helps (provide) us (with) new kids who know how to play, and it makes them feel like a group."

The size of the Concord High School band has increased by 20 percent this year, and the color guard has increased by three times its size, Morin said.

And as far as the music goes, both Morin and Kaser-Odor promise an entertaining selection this year.

"It's a little more sneaky," Kaser-Odor said. "There are a lot of dynamic changes that will catch you off guard."

This year's theme for the show tunes is "To catch a thief," something Morin said will entertain the crowd visually and musically.

"Just like a movie, (the show) throws out surprises," Morin said. "Unexpected moments hold the audience's attention."

Morin promised that the stand tunes, played at parts of the football game that are not halftime, will continue to include favorites, such as "Louie, Louie," and some new ones, including "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay.

He said the band members have a lot of input when it comes to choosing these songs.

"If they enjoy playing it, usually their peers enjoy listening to it," Morin said.

While Morin spent this week offering advice to his band in preparation for the first football game tonight, he also thanked the community for its support and had something to say to locals.

"Come out and enjoy the show," Morin said.