The Marching Band
The Dallastown Marching Band has always been a main attraction for many people, weather in a parade, exhibition, or even a football game. But what goes on before the show is ready to begin? What is it like to be in charge of the marching band? Many people do not know much about the Dallastown Marching Band or its history, only that before the game and at half-time a band presents a show for the entertainment of the audience and to support the football team. Read on, and you will learn the history of the Dallastown marching band, and how it has changed.
Dallastown's Marching Band was started in 1952 at the old Charles Street high school. It consisted of 12 students, was directed by Mr. Joe Campanella, and was pretty different from today's marching band. "The band has changed a lot from then to now. It used to be more of a military style. The uniforms have also changed from more of a military style with a military cap to today's uniforms, but they are still the same colors, blue and white," he recalls. Mr. Campanella was the first of five directors. What was the best part about working with the marching band? "Seeing the finished work, definately, seeing how all of the hard work paid off."
Mr. Jim Dougert is the current band director, and he has also noticed some ways the band and bandfront have change. "Today a theme is chosen, and music and routines are chosen to fit the theme, instead of just putting songs together. Today the bandfront is trained to do almost everything (flags, rifles, swing flags, etc.), instead of having a group do only rifles, a group do only flags, though they do have a specialty. Next year, in 1999, the uniforms will change. They will be more of a contemporary style with sequins, helmets, and contrasting colors. They will be designed to go with each other, instead of being stuck together," he supplies.
The marching band has come a long way, with its large size, from having only twelve members. "The marching band is definately a popular extra-cirricular activity in the high school. It's very fun musically, and it's also fun socially with the football games, parades, and travel. In April, we are going to Toronto," says Mr. Dougert.
Obviously the Dallastown Marching Band has gone through a lot of changes to become the band we know today. It is constantly changing, with new uniforms, new members, new instruments, and new themes. It is also becoming more and more popular, causing the size to constantly increase. The marching band is never the same each year, but some people say that each year it is better than the year before.
