Troy High School marching band earns Superior rating at state
The Troy High School marching band may havetaken a slightly different path than in previous years, but the end result was the same … with the Trojans celebrating at the Ohio Music Education Association’s state competition.
The Troy High School marching band carried one of the longest streaks in Ohio band history into the OMEA state competition Sunday night at Piqua’s Alexander Stadium, and added to that impressive legacy by earning a Superior rating once again.
Troy has earned a Superior (1) rating at state every year since 2000. Troy also is one of only four bands in the state to qualify for state every year since the competition's inception in 1980.
While ending with a Superior rating this year falls in line with tradition how the Trojans got there this year did not.
“We had to do things a little different this year than we have in the past, but the kids responded to the challenges in front of them and we couldn’t possibly be more proud of them,” said Troy High School Director of Bands Molly Venneman. “We had a big senior class graduate last year. Not only was it a big class in terms of numbers, but it was also an extremely talented class that left us with a lot of holes to fill. We ended up bringing up a number of eighth graders to help us fill in some of those gaps, and our leaders did a great job of bringing them along and the younger kids stepped up and filled right in.
“Also, because of the construction at the high school, we didn’t have a band room all summer or this fall. We had to move a lot of things over to the junior high in the summer and have some of our daily band classes in the high school auditorium in the fall. That may seem like a small thing to some people, but it definitely throws off your routine. The kids just rolled with the punches and made the most of it.”
For the band, it is a journey that began in July, first with a pre-camp at Troy Junior High School, then a steamy band camp at Wittenberg University that saw the band members regularly putting in 15-hour days. It continued through the fall, as the band practiced, performed at football games on Friday nights and competed in four different competitions on Saturdays to earn a qualifying mark for state. Troy earned Superior ratings in its final three competitions, first punching its ticket to state with a Superior at the Grove City Band Invitational, then following up with Superior ratings at Hamilton and state.
Troy’s show this year was entitled “The Daily Grind.”
“These kids work incredibly hard, which is what makes this so rewarding,” Venneman said. “A lot of people may only see what happens on Friday nights at football games or Saturdays in the fall if they come to our competition. These kids start working in the summer, including a week of 12-15 hour days at band camp, to put together the show everyone gets to see. They work all through the summer and then after school once it begins. To be able to earn a Superior rating shows these kids all the hard work they put in was worth it.
“Every year, you have different kids, different music and a different show, so I don’t think earning a Superior rating at state ever gets old, and I don’t think it’s something you can ever take for granted. Every year when we begin working with the kids in July, we know how difficult it is going to be. These kids work so hard to get to this point and we are extremely proud of their dedication.”
In addition to Venneman, the band is led by Casey Layer (associate director), Megan Fulk (assistant director), Andre Rodriguez (percussion instructor), Matthew Brush (percussion instructor), Nathan Weidner (percussion instructor), Andi Wise (color guard instructor), Sheri Baker (color guard instructor), Adam Cartwright (color guard instructor), and Victoria Solomon (winds instructor).
The show’s featured soloists were Amelia Kolakowski (alto sax) and Maddie Fulk (trumpet). This year's drum majors are Anastasia Cremeans, Coralee Whicker and Adam Straughn.
“I think one of the things that makes marching band unique is there are so many different elements to it,” Venneman said. “You have 100 kids and all of these different instruments and musical styles, in addition to our color guard members. You have to get all of these different pieces to fit together into one cohesive, entertaining show. To do that, it truly takes an entire staff of dedicated individuals, which I am very fortunate to work with. They are truly here for the students. The kids have bought into this program, and what we are trying to teach and what we are trying to accomplish. We are also fortunate that a good deal of our staff are alumni of the program. The legacy of success means so much more to them, because they are a part of it from when they were in high school, and now they are continuing the streak with the education they provide.”
Venneman said the Troy marching band is also fortunate to have commitment not only from students, but their families as well.
“Our band families know going in that it isn’t going to be easy,” she said. “I’m sure they don’t always see their kids as much as they would like to in the fall. It takes commitment not only from our students, but their families as well. Plus, we have an amazing team of volunteers who put in countless hours supporting our students and our band. A big part of the reason we’ve been so successful over the years is because we live in such a supportive community.”