Seven or six trombones will lead this big(ish) parade.
And while it might not be quite on the scale of The Music Man, Steve Clements promises to give fans a taste of the dream of every famous band at Hyacks Homecoming 2015.
The New Westminster Secondary School band teacher has put together a student marching band to jazz up the half-time show at Mercer Stadium on Sept. 25.
“The fans can expect to see a group of kids making music together in an entertaining, visual way,” said Clements, who’s taught at NWSS for 15 years.
“While marching band is new to them, they're going to do their best to make it spectacular and memorable.”
NWSS bands have marched in the Hyack Parade and the Mayday celebrations for years, but this is their first attempt at a choreographed, U.S. football-style marching band performance. It’s the result of a suggestion by Hyacks Football head coach Farhan Lalji that was music to Clements’ ears.
“I thought, as difficult as it is to get something ready in September, it's worth a shot - it builds community and it supports the great things that are going on at NWSS, such as team spirit and a great academic attitude,” said Clements, who studied music at Capilano University and UBC.
Rehearsals started the last week of summer vacation and the enthusiastic response surprised Clements. A core of 25 eager students from Grade 9 to 12 answered the bell and parent volunteers stepped up to the plate for help repair some of the older, worn marching band equipment.
Then there are the instruments.
“We have two sousaphones, which is great - it gives that authentic marching band sound,” he said. “We have percussive instruments as well as flute and clarinet.”
And the trombones?
“We have a couple of trombones – not 76.”
Clements says the choreography has been challenging, but he’s incorporated many of the students’ own ideas into the fancy footwork. While the result may not be quite as elaborate as their American cousins’, the New West students are practising hard to put on a heart-pumping show.
“They'll be playing some high-energy hits from Michael Jackson, the Village People, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Lady Gaga. It should be a blast!” says Clements.
The half-time show at the 11th annual Homecoming Game between the Hyacks and the G.W. Grizzlies will ultimately demonstrate just how much fun the students had in adding a new dimension to a Royal City tradition.
“Ultimately, kids need to feel a part of something, and what could be better than getting outside with your friends and making music together?” asks Clements. “That's the bottom line. And the kids are really doing well, having fun, and bringing a fantastic energy to this. So I'm glad we're doing it.”
