EVSC marching bands to perform at showcases this year
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Although Indiana's top marching bands won't battle it out this year on the statewide level, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. will set the stage for local schools to perform this fall.
On Sept.12 at Central High School and Sept. 19 at North High School EVSC will hold showcases for the district's marching bands to put their routines on display.
Noah Farmer, North Sr. High School band director, said the announcement has reenergized his students and brought a new sense of purpose for the upcoming year.
"It's been a huge relief and really something great to look forward to," he said. "It gives our community and students a goal to aim for.
"They are pumped."
There's a lot of reasons for EVSC marching bands to be excited, Farmer said. This year, students have the opportunity to enjoy their shared passion for performing music rather than compete against each other in traditionally fierce musical battles.
Last month, the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) canceled the competition season — which includes regional, semi-state and state finals events – due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
When North started practicing July 6, Farmer said students expected the competitive year would look different. But after the cancelation of the state marching band competition, his students were forced to go forward without a clear goal in mind.
Now with the two non-competitive events in place, Farmer said his students are even more motivated to see this season through.
"We just wanted an opportunity for the kids to perform what they have worked on this summer," said Dwight Emmert, EVSC fine arts director.
While students may perform at football half-time shows, Emmert said that situation is "less conducive to the types of performances they are working on." A band show is more fitting, he said.
Emmert said EVSC picked the two locations because of the size of their parking lots, which provide enough space for bands to spread out and form contained areas away from other participants.
The district will use state-directed guidelines at these events to reduce the potential risk of COVID-19 exposure, Emmert said.
Each band will perform in 20-minute time slots, giving them enough time to swap between performances. Spectators will be socially distanced, and the EVSC will veer away from bus services. Instead, EVSC will encourage parents to transport their students to and from the high schools.
No award ceremonies will take place, so there will be no reason to congregate, Emmert said.
"Students really understand how serious this is," he said. "We truly know we can do some things safely; so we have to be on our toes."
As for other safety measures, the district is currently planning them out, Emmert said. Many of them will align with guidelines students and instructors have followed during summer rehearsals and are set to do so in the fall.
Students will be socially distanced, required to wear masks and face coverings and restricted from sharing equipment. They will only be allowed to use materials they clean beforehand.
A week before the performances, Farmer said he will hold an online meeting or send a detailed letter to families so they are aware of the expectations for the events.
"We're going to do the things exactly the way we're told and make sure we have enough front time to get that messaging out to our parents before they show up so we're happy, healthy and don't have any issues when they show up," he said.
With their preparation this summer, Farmer said his students will comply with COVID-19 restrictions and put on a solid performance. Having worked to readjust and shorten their routines, he said they are already conditioned for next month's showcases.
While he's excited for his students to perform, Farmer said he will continue to urge his students to live in the moment and enjoy the time that they have with each other.
Any practice could be their last, he said.
"Of course we want to perform, but if those performances can't happen, I feel like our students would still be satisfied leaving that rehearsal knowing it would be their last, and they would be OK with it," Farmer said.
As school bands prepare for the showcases, Emmert said the district will continue enforcing safety requirements and monitor the novel coronavirus during the school year.