As band parents at Jeffersonville High School for the last three years, we've seen the tears and joys of our family of kids at marching band competitions. We've also experienced the same emotions with other members of our band booster club. We are called adults, but at times our emotions and pride are as strong, if not stronger than the kids we are there to support.

I remember the last two years, at District competitions in Columbus, hearing the announcer call up the field commanders for our band as a Division II recipient. The tears at the buses. All the hard work by the band members, guard members, pit crews, booster parents, ended so quickly. The marching band competition was suddenly over for the year. Hardest on the field commanders, all seniors, they could not hold in the feelings, for a part of the best of their high school experiences had just ended. But amazingly, by the time the buses returned to the school, the kids were OK. Ready for new challenges in their school lives and able to turn their attention to the concert band season ahead.

This year, it was different. The kids had an attitude. They wanted to "do it for Dave." The goal, get a Division I at District for David Milburn, their band director and be able to perform at the Regional competition which they would be hosting this year.

Even in band camp before school officially started, the kids were excited. Could they do it?...they thought so. After-school practices were better than the previous couple of years. Before they knew it, school was underway and it was time for the first competitions to begin. Their scores were better than in the past, but they were still marginal. Could they improve enough to accomplish their goal? More practices, more competitions. Some trophies for field commanders, guard, percussion, why even the pit crew won a trophy (talk about some excited parents).

And then it was off to Columbus for District competition. We were the last band to perform, and as luck would have it, it started to rain, not hard, but enough to tense up the kids. The show went off without a slip, but was it good enough to score the necessary points?...it was going to be close! As the announcer called out the scores in order of performance the tension in the end zone was extreme. The parents were down there with the kids, covering up instruments and kids from the rain. Finally, the announcer gave our award-a Division I. The kids screamed, the parents screamed. A hundred plus teenagers were jumping up and down, hugging and crying with joy. Parents and kids together doing this strange dance that would put the "Funky Chicken" to shame.

After about ten minutes or so, David and the field commanders were able to get control and had the band march back to the buses at the other end of the school via a drum cadence, and that is when something I never expected to see happened.

Our friends and fellow competitors (both students and parents) from Floyd Central High School (a powerhouse of a school) who were parked next to our buses came over and applauded the Jeffersonville High School band as they passed. Such a spontaneous display of sportsmanship, and a band with class beyond description, was before my eyes. I must admit tears flowed.

Our kids accomplished their goal. They marched this year at Regional "for Dave." There they scored a Division II and the season was over, but the kids didn't lose, no kid who plays in a marching band ever loses. The competitions, the friendships developed, the work ethic, all remain inside each and every one of them. The memories will be with them forever. As a band parent, I wonder how many parents realize what they lost by not taking the time for join their children for this adventure.

UPDATE!

Since the original publication of this article we have been informed that Dave Milburn is no longer the Director at Jeffersonville HS and has since taken a position as Dean. Mr. J. Scott Cooksey is the new band director and we wish them both the best as they pursue their new direction...

Sincerely,
The SI Staff