DuWayne Dale, Director of Bands and Orchestra, Grant County Schools
JoAnn Owens, Director of Bands, Grant County Middle School

Not sure if band is for you?  Read what these middle school band students have to say about being in band:

From :Trevor Nantz

8th Grade Percussionist and a member of the Grant County High School Marching Band

Dear Rookie Musicians,

"I don’t want to get involved in band and become a band geek." That’s what I told mom in June of 2007. I was in concert band during my sixth grade year and I really wasn’t enjoying it very much. I did not care about band back then.

At the end of my seventh grade year Mrs. Owens asked me to join marching band and be in drum line. I told her no, but she persisted to ask me over and over. She told me that I would like it and that I would have fun. I eventually decided to give it a try but I still wasn’t sure about the whole thing.

So, the time came to start band and we went about our business. And I thought I actually like this. I couldn’t believe Mrs. Owens was right.

There are so many things that I like about band that I don’t know where to start but I’ll give it a try. I have made good friends and we get to hang out all the time. It gets to where you practically become a family. On top of that you get to learn and play new music. I also love band because you become friends with the directors. You usually think of the directors as teachers and not friends but our directors are our really good friends. They joke around with you and don’t talk down to you.

As you can see, I changed my mind about band. I love band for the new friends I’ve made, the music, and the directors. So, if you’re in band, but you’re not loving it,  just try to get involved. It made the difference for me. It is the spring of 2008 and I cannot wait until July so marching band will start. I love band and some might say that I’m a band geek and that’s okay with me.

From :ZACH M. SCHWARTZ

8TH Grade Band Member and Member of the Grant county High School Marching Band

DEAR ROOKIE MUSICIANS,

       MY NAME IS ZACH M. SCHWARTZ AND I AM THE LEAD BARITONE PLAYER FOR THE 8TH GRADE ENSEMBLE. I AM WRITING YOU THIS LETTER TO INFORM YOU OF WHY I LIKE BAND AND WHY YOU SHOULD LIKE IT TOO. THE FIRST REASON I LIKE BAND IS BECAUSE YOU CAN GET SO GOOD AT SOMETHING YOU LIKE DOING, BUT ONLY IF YOU DEDICATE YOURSELF TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING. PLEASE, STAY IN BAND UNTIL YOU GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL, AND IF YOU STAY IN BAND LONG ENOUGH YOU CAN GET SCHOLARSHIPS TO REALLY GOOD COLLEGES.