An old fashioned parade sets the tone for community events and a marching band creates excitement all along the parade route. The Peabody-Burns bands added to the festive mood at eight area parades this school year.
“For many band members parades are the highlight of being in band,” said Peabody-Burns band director Steven Glover. PBHS band members have continued a tradition of performing dance steps along parade routes since the 1970s. Glover, himself, marched in the band and performed dance steps in the mid-1980s.
PGHS junior Taylor Ensminger says that participating in the band program is great experience for an aspiring musician like herself. She especially enjoys playing the French horn in band competitions. As for the marching events, she said, “People enjoy watching us because we dance and it is fun to hear the crowds cheer.”
In December the crowds in Newton did cheer for the bands as they brought new life to the Parade of Lights, according to Dan Heinze, officer of Newton Mid-Day Lions’ Club.
“Our vision for the parade was to bring the community together for a ‘good old parade’ by incorporating area schools, churches, and civic groups,” said Heinze. “We were very pleased by the participation of the Newton High School and Peabody-Burns bands.”
Several band events are scheduled in May for the Peabody-Burns bands including the Band Barbecue and Music Extravaganza fundraiser May 13 in the Brown Building at the high school.
On May 14, the last day of school, the band will march at the All-Schools Parade in McPherson. Band members will continue after school is out to participate in community events such the parade for Operation Celebration and the Memorial Day service at the cemetery.
PBHS band students also will perform at Branson, Mo., during a band trip.
The Band Barbecue and Music Extravaganza is the major fundraising event for the bands and will generate funds for the trip to Branson, for band camp fees, meals on some band trips, and supplemental supplies.
The $10 tickets may be reserved by phoning the Peabody-Burns central office at (620) 983-2198 or they may be purchased at the door of the Brown Building Concert Hall at the high school on the night of the event.