Members of the Farmingdale High School Marching Band and Dalerettes kickline spent several days learning the halftime drill. Reading dots on a marching map, band students were able to determine how many counts they have to get from one point on the football field to the next as they play the music.
Farmingdale High School’s marching band is one of the largest on Long Island, with 230 band members.
In order to accomplish their halftime routine, students planned to travel to band camp in Pennsylvania. However, the trip was cancelled because of a dangerous situation where a police officer had been killed.
The situation was incredibly disappointing for students. Yet, teachers and parent chaperones immediately sketched a plan to organize two days at home and retain the band camp traditions that are so enjoyable for students while they work long hours to accomplish the half time show. Everyone’s optimism was contagious and students began to accept the situation.
Students arrived at school Friday ready to work. Teachers pleasantly but tenaciously helped students to focus. They methodically had students learn, improve, and be proud of themselves as they worked to understand their section’s location and moves. As the hours passed, students and teachers analyzed what needed correcting. They repeated steps to do it better, and get the sense of accomplishment that comes from diligent work. Students learned the colloquialism, “take lemons and make lemonade” as they had to forego their annual trip but brainstormed and requested a fun activity for all… an inflatable obstacle course and water balloons.
During the first home game, students showed that despite the challenges, they made tremendous strides in the process of learning the halftime show and accomplishing band camp’s objective.
One grandparent said that they climbed to the top of the bleachers to get the full impact of the band, both visually and musically.
“The low brass almost blew me off the bleacher,” they said. “Incredible. And the size of the whole contingent… a trillion kids dancing, brass, flags, woodwinds, percussion, three drum majors, singers, pommers, kickers and cheerleaders. Two days of rehearsals produced all this. What a tribute to the staff and the pride they have instilled in their students. Farmingdale is so lucky. What a nice way to start the school year.”
—Submitted by Farmingdale Fine Arts Director Rita Padden
