The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 13, 1952, Page 8

‘ y | Key West's School Bands — i By DOROTHY RAYMER They “play to beat the band,” and the band is hard to beat! That goes for both the Key West High School Band and the Junior Band, which is made up of music students from ten years of age through a venerable fourteen years, from grades five through seven. The Junior Band has 64 members at present, The Senior unit has @ total of 111 personnel which is made up of a 60 piece instru- ment section plus the Key West Letter Girl strutters, the drum majorettes who prance with batons, the flag-twirlers, and the Conch Girls who march in the rear of the band. And smallest, but not least, is nine-year old Johnny Thompson, band mascot. His brother plays trombone. Johnny, fascinated, hung around with a hungry look. Finally he received a baton to twirl. No parade, and Key West has a big quota of them, is complete without all these representatives. Bandmaster Harold T. Casterton explained that some of the younger students were so advanced in technique that they were capable of playing in the parade band section. Said he, “We try to establish selection on performance, ability and service, rather than on age.” The 60 piece band is based on standard instrumentation. The roster begins with 21 clarinets, four flutes and piccoloes, one oboe, one E flat clarinet, one bassoon, 16 trumpets, four French horns, nine saxophones, seven trombones, two baritone horns, five bess horns, sousahorns or tuba and eight drums. <8 The instruments and equipment are worth ever $7,000 of which three quarters of the cost is covered by the individuals themselves. In the junior group, the value of instruments used is estimated at about $5,500 with most of the equipment belonging to the pupils. This shows a great interest by the parents and for which Casterton is grateful. The younger bandsmen began training for eight weeks last summer beginning on June 11. Casterton pointed out that with grade level training, the Key West main band will have ready re- cruits all set to step up in the work despite transfers or graduating losses. The present enthusiastic Junior aggregation has four flutists, 32 cornet players, 21 clarinetists, three tromLonists, one bell-lyre chimer, one baritone horn player, four saxmen and six drummers. Practice is done in Dillon Hall, an airy, sunlit building with a big pleasant band room, graduated platforms, music stands, a place for equipment, lockers and space for uniforms and the bandmaster’s administration office where a music library and file is rhaintained. On one wall is the plaque dedicated to Major Earl Dillon for whom the hall was named, Drill work is done on the campus sometimes or. out at Wickers Stadium. Music practice sessions continue all day long, some in large groups, but often as possible in small groups for more detailed instruction. Twirlers must practice eight to ten hours a week for perfection. Casterton said that no oné in the main band had had the usual Supper hour since school began, because drill work is done at 6 p.m, They have worked diligently and had only two days off. That was when it rained. He added that the band played for nine foot- ball games this season, The average number for the average high school is four games, E “We try to do something different for each performance,” Cas- terton said, “which means we really have had a strenuous schedule.” Positions are marked on a big chart, a replica of the football field and thus precision is acquired for the marching unit. Rigid rules are posted on the bulletin board of the practice room. If a player gets 15 demerits, he is automatically dropped from the band. Five demerits are; given for any of the following: chewing. gum or eating candy in the sessions; any disturbance when music is distributed; unacceptable posture, or being out of order in the band room. Ten demerits are given should a player abuse the band room, engage in “horseplay” in the bandroom, or misuse the equipment and furniture. Forgetting an instrument is also liable for a demerit penalty. Absence from drill field or musie without a reasonable excuse brings about instant dismissal. Ousting is done if a player talks while at attention or gives “back talk” to the diree- tor of officers appointed from student ranks. Most of the brilliant band suits in red, white and bive with cockaded hats, or the short-skirted majorette outfits, are furnished by the individual. Twenty more band uniforms have been ordered and some civic organizations have pledged aid. The band will take part in the Gasparilla Festival at Tampa, Fla. A recent drive to raise funds for the trip was highly successful and Bandmaster Casterton hopes that the interest displayed will be constant. It most certainly is deserved. (Pictured from top to bottom are the High School band prac ticing; the band in uniform; the junior band; and the letter girls).