Instruments are such an amazing part of Music and creating new songs, the sounds put together is what makes it all become one amazing piece. Did you know that students here create some of those masterpieces themselves? Lots of kids from the Liberties Band Program stay passionate about music.
The band itself has performed some pretty cool shows. This year, Atlantis was performed, an underwater theme. Our Marching Band had done this for their competitions all throughout October. Colors Blue and Green were really big parts of the outfits and props at this time as well, mainly for colorguard who do competitions with them. Many other colors were incorporated as well such as the sleeves the marching band wore and the gold tridents for the mermaids.
Jonah Maryott, Drum Major of Marching Band, First Chair Trumpet in Wind Ensemble, and Second Chair Trumpet in the Jazz program was spoken to about who he is in band and one thing he states is that though he has these 3 positions, his favorite throughout the all is the Drum Major, he says it’s because, ¨I get to lead and help our band to succeed at competitions around the valley.¨ He also says as the Drum Major, ¨I conduct, and keep our band in tempo making sure everything is going accordingly and works. I’m also Dr. Malpasses right hand man, an aid if he ever needs anything done.¨ The highest position in the Marching Band is the Drum Major and he takes passion in being that for Liberty.
Our band at the moment has just wrapped up with Basketball season as well. They engage in both Mens and Womans. The Band students get chosen like shifts for games so that there’s an even amount of kids that play and an even amount of actual playing time for the students. They begin to set up towards the end of JV games so they can kick off the Varsity game with the National Anthem they perform. You can find them seated on the right side of the gym bleachers next to the entrance which is also right above the men’s fitting room.
(Kiki Mumolo)
One student here at Liberty, Chloe Cunanan, states that that she’s a section leader for the pit in marching band alongside with Ivan Trojahn. ¨I manage the pit, making sure they learn and have their music on time, and whatever they play I turn it back to Dr. Malpass.¨ She also was chosen to control the Synth Cart, and gives an insight on what it performs. All the sound effects played simultaneously with those marching in the band, are controlled by a series of sounds saved in a laptop, which then programs a keyboard piano to play whatever keys are pressed. Together, these sounds travel through numerous technology to bring these sounds through big speakers for not only the band to hear, but the audience to feel.
The assistant Band Director, Ms. Patnesky who helps Dr. Malpass enhance and teach the Band program speaks about some events the Marching Band actually does. She says, ¨In Marching Band, we participate in marching competitions, football games, and basketball games. Symphonic Band participates in Advanced Band Festival, and Jazz bands participate in CCSD Jazz Festival.¨ She also says one of her favorite memories is when our Band had taken first place in their division during the 23´- 24´ school season at the Marching Band Competition Finals.
One important thing that she had mentioned during the interview was how she herself has been connected with Band in her past and how it affected her in different ways. ¨As a life-long band member, I’ve participated in band since I was in fourth grade. I played the saxophone all through grade school. After high school I chose to study Music Education. All through high school and college, Band, particularly Marching Band, is like a huge extended family. When I moved away from home, it was so comforting to have people who shared the same interests and could build friendships with. After many years teaching elementary music, I’ve found my way back to the band world, when I joined the staff at Liberty.¨
¨I would love to see our band continue to grow in size. If anyone played an instrument in middle school or part of high school, we encourage them to come back to the program! We would love for you to join! Just send an email to Ms. Patnesky or Dr. Malpass to get more information!¨ – Ms. Patnesky
