By: Eric Corse

Each year, the EHS Marching Band helps puts on a special half-time show during the football games. Despite being very young and low in numbers this year, our band strives every week to inspire school spirit. At the recent homecoming pep rally, the band also played a big part in setting the tone with their exciting music. Thanks to the band’s music, students of all grades were up on their feet and cheering “EHS!”

Recently, The Squire sat down with EHS Drum Major, Mikki Gifford. She, along with Mr. Napolitan, makes sure that the band is running smoothly and efficiently. Or in Mikki’s words, “I have to make sure the band doesn’t go crazy and become disrespectful.” As Drum Major, Mikki has a very important duty in guiding our young band to represent our school in a positive and respectful light.

When asked about the band’s role during the football game half-time shows, Mikki became very excited. She began to list all the songs they will be playing or have played this year, “This year we are playing ‘It’s All Right,’ ‘Rosanna,’ ‘Come Sail Away,’ ‘Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’,’ and ‘My Girl.’ The use of classic rock as a theme for the show this year is a refreshing and interesting take on marching band music. The Squire also talked to Mikki about the flag-twirling color guard and their role in the band. When the topic was brought up, she said, “They give us more of a visual effect because we’re not moving this year, so the flags are like ‘Look at me’ and are really pretty.”

As everybody knows, the band has suffered from low enrollment for a few years now. When asked how this drawback has affected performances, Mikki had this to say: “Because of the low amount of people, we cannot perform at competition and we are missing key parts of the band, such as the low-brass section and the woodwind section.” It is downright shame that such a wonderful program has encountered a rough patch, and hopefully next year more students will be eager to join the EHS Marching Band. See Mr. Napolitan or Mikki for more details about joining the marching band.