And the band played on ...
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| Director Ann Lusher practices regularly with members of her Bureau Valley High School marching band in preparation for performances at all home football games, concerts and other events and competitions. The full band rehearses for 82 minutes every other day, three days one week and two days the next. Band students also have scheduled pull-out sessions for additional practice time. Lusher has been Bureau Valley High School’s band and choral instructor since the formation of the district in 1996. (BCR photo/Donna Barker) |
MANLIUS — Dressed in Columbia blue and navy uniforms, the Bureau Valley High School marching band has been winning awards and entertaining audiences since the school district was formed in 1996.
At the helm of the band program is vocal and band instructor Ann Lusher of Princeton. Music and her marching band are an important part of the Bureau Valley educational program, she said.
“I think band is, of course, a source of cultural and artistic expression for our school and for our students,” Lusher said. “Band is a group which can help express school pride, and it’s a source of live musical entertainment on those occasions.”
However, the band program at Bureau Valley provides much more than just a source of cultural expression or the opportunity to provide live entertainment to others, Lusher said.
“I think band is one of the few classes in school these days that focuses on the expression of the creative-thought process and naturally teaches students to utilize their higher order thinking skills of analysis and logic everyday,” Lusher said. “Band has the power to bridge cultural, social and economic gaps. Music has the power to unite us no matter how deep our divisions may be.”
On Friday, three members of the Bureau Valley marching band talked about the importance of band and music in their lives.
According to senior John Foss, participating in the music program at Bureau Valley is one positive experience after the other.
“What’s not to like? We get to provide entertainment for our friends and families and then we go ask them how it was, so we can keep improving,” Foss said. “Plus, we have some pretty cool uniforms!”
Music is the one thing that had stayed constant throughout his entire life, Foss said. He listens to music while doing homework, reading, exercising, playing games, driving, doing chores.
“Music brings me out of the rough times and helps me enjoy the good times,” he said.
Senior Jordan Twidell talked about the satisfaction of working together as a band to make one sound. After high school, he plans to continue playing his instrument in college and community groups.
“Music provides a release for me,” Twidell said. “If I’m stressed or upset, I can always go to music to provide an escape from the world. When I’m playing the trumpet or piano, I am usually in the best mood.”
Junior Olivia Zwierzko agreed, saying music and being a member of the Bureau Valley band are important parts of her day.
“I love being part of something bigger than myself. We are all working for one sound, one image,” Zwierzko said. “I can express myself in ways I never could, other than through music. I am my true self while I play music. It helps me let go of troubles and anxieties and just relax.”
From among her 43 marching band students, Lusher also has three drum majors this year, who perform with the marching band at all home football games and at the Homestead Festival parade in Princeton.
“Our drum majors operate a little differently than at most schools,” Lusher said. “Because we are so small, I don’t really feel that I can spare any players, so I do all of the conducting. We had one drum major, Leslie Legg, who led the band in the Homestead Festival parade and we had two drum majors, Jordan Twidell and Trent Johnson, who provided field commands at football games.”
Looking back on her 28 years as a band teacher, Lusher said her greatest sense of accomplishment are those times when students come back to visit or contact her and tell her they are still playing their instrument long after they are out of high school.
On a personal note, Lusher said she doesn’t remember when she first discovered music. Growing up, her entire family was very musical. Her dad’s cousins even had a Swedish Dance Band in Chicago during the 1930s and 1940s. Her 85-year-old mom still plays the piano at the Arizona nursing home where she lives.
“Music has always been a part of my life,” Lusher said. “I guess I do have a picture of me getting a toy banjo for Christmas from one of my aunts when I was 2 years old. I seemed to be a natural at it!”
As did her students, Lusher talked about the impact of music on her life. She recalled recently telling her music history students about playing a particular Beethoven piano sonata when she was in high school, how she was feeling down and how the music would help her work things out. Lusher said her students were about to hear that same sonata.
“One of my favorite quotes is ‘Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,’ by Berthold Auerbach,” Lusher said. “I guess that’s one of the things music does for me.”
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