Despite a truncated schedule, social distancing, and quarantines that limit rehearsal time, Thomas County Central High School Bands program upholds the highest standards. Whether through performances, instruction, or scholarships, its youth musicians prove a pandemic’s caesura, or grand pause, cannot keep them from their musical aspirations.

“This school year has presented many challenges for our band program, but the perseverance of our students and staff has stood out,” director Joe Regina said. “We have overcome several obstacles such as social distancing in the band room, bell covers and flute shields, and several quarantines, amongst other complications. With the continued hard work of our band students, we certainly have a lot to be proud of!”

Recently, the program’s Blue and Gold bands competed in the annual Large Group Performance Evaluation, or festival, held at Cairo High School. No sight reading event occurred this year. TCCHS Blue Band received superior and excellent ratings, while the TCCHS Gold Band received straight superior ratings.

Ayden Webb, 16, sophomore alto saxophonist, feels good about the band’s festival success.

“It is a big accomplishment not only to get straight superiors on a Level VI program but to do that in a year COVID limited us,” he said.

Usually, more than 30 bands perform at the festival, Regina said. This year, only 16 attended (four from Thomas County Schools). Of these entries, only the TCCHS Gold Band performed a complete Level VI program, the highest difficulty range. 

“To receive straight superior ratings on such difficult wind ensemble literature is certainly quite an accomplishment considering everything going on,” Regina said. “Festival season is when the students grow the most as musicians. We could have chosen easier music, but then the students wouldn't have improved nearly as much. Superior ratings are nice, but the whole point of preparing a festival program is to develop our skills as musicians.”

Junior Ashleigh Dodge, 16, plays the piccolo and flute in the TCCHS Gold Band.

“I feel proud of our accomplishment since our music would have been hard even in a normal year,” she said. “This means that I know I am capable of these difficult pieces and can continue to improve to become the best musician I can be, as an individual or in a concert setting.”

Selections included “October” by contemporary composer Eric Whitacre.

“It is an extremely delicate and beautiful piece of music that perfectly and subtly captures the tone and spirit of the fall season,” Regina said. “I have never taught this piece before, but it has been on the list of things I've wanted to play for a long time. The students performed it beautifully.”

Dodge’s favorite piece was “Italian Rhapsody” because of how it challenged and energized her musicality.

“It was an energetic piece that I was able to have fun with; even in the calmer parts, nothing became boring,” she said. “‘Italian Rhapsody’ was a piece that we would find a better way of playing something even after having it for a couple [of] months.”

Webb concurs.

“I liked this piece because it challenged me and because it [has] very interesting melodies,” he said.

Additionally, freshman Tyler Laidman, 15, earned a baritone horn seat on the GMEA All-State Band. The band’s audition criteria includes playing two etudes and sight reading.

“The etudes require a lot of hard work, and the sight reading piece is music you have to play with no practice,” he said. “This is my first time making all-state, and this is a very great honor for me.”

Making his accomplishment all the more exciting is the fact Laidman’s only played the horn for about four months. His primary instrument is the trombone.

“I like the baritone’s mellow sound tone, and it is a very enjoyable instrument to play,” Laidman said. “I also like how smooth it feels to play it …. I feel very accomplished for making all-state on an instrument I have played for less than a year and for all the hard work I put into learning it.”

Laidman most enjoys the musical journey, learning the compositions to perform onstage.

“I enjoy this the most because I’ll know more about music, and be more experienced, and have a better understanding of how to play music,” he said.

Outside the festival, students Caroline Daughtry and Morgan Loper received honoraria scholarships from the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation in conjunction with Thomasville Center for the Arts and Arts for the Community at Thomas University.

Loper, 15, plays the piano and clarinet and appreciates music’s inspiring and freeing atmosphere.

“I love the freedom that playing music gives you,” she said. “I love the inspiration it can give someone to do great things. I can relate to these two reasons, as music gives me a freedom of expression, and it makes me want to aim higher.”

Loper, a sophomore, has not finalized where she plans to attend college, but she knows her degree path.

“I know I want a bachelor’s degree in music performance and a master’s in conducting,” she said. “I want to be an orchestra conductor. This scholarship will help me cover costs for out-of-state schools and study under prestigious music programs.”

Senior musician Daughtry, 17, plays the French horn and said music always has been an important part of her life.

“[What] I love most about music is that it all speaks different stories,” she said. “It has a story to tell, and it can range from a scary one to somber and joyful, all in one piece.”

She plans to attend Georgia Southern University and major in early childhood education and possibly minor in music.

“I am very thankful for having the opportunity to win this scholarship,” Daughtry said.

As the academic year approaches its close, band participants look back on an unprecedented year in their experience and feel proud of what got done.

“What we accomplished this year couldn’t have happened if our band didn’t have amazing directors and students who were willing to continue to push forward, even with all the obstacles we faced,” Dodge said.

Regina anticipates a return to some semblance of a new normal for rehearsals and instruction time next year.

“The reason in-person instruction is important in band is that the rehearsal is a time to learn everyone else's parts, not just your own,” he said. “Half of playing music is listening. Only then can you hear how your part weaves into the fabric of the music.”