In 2019, the Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS) marching band mastered the drill and music for a show called "The Architect," a four-movement program that compared the work of a designer to the questions people encounter and the outside influences that come into play in shaping their own lives. The band took that show to several competitions, including taking part in the American Division of Cavalcade of Bands.
This year, preparing a fall show has been a lot less structured for director Brandon Nase and the 50-member band. "It has been quite a journey to this point," said Nase, who was finally able to hold band camp at the school from Aug. 10 through 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. each evening. "We started with a show back in February," recalled Nase. "We switched (to another) in June, and we switched (again) a couple weeks ago."
The final show will include a number of pop tunes in a five- to six-minute field drill. "There will be a mashup of a couple of Queen tunes called 'Queen Opener,'" said Nase. The Queen medley will be followed by "In the Stone" by Earth, Wind & Fire. "The third tune will be either "'Enter Sandman' (by Metallica) or 'All Star' by Smash Mouth," said Nase.
Nase noted that band camp was focused on teaching and retaining marching skills. "The drill will be minimal this year," remarked Nase. "The main idea is to make sure we maintain protocol, (while) hoping this time next year we will be back to normal." He said that some band members and sections will be featured in the show, but which ones was still being decided during camp. "A lot of that is a work in progress," he explained.
In addition to learning a field drill while playing music or performing with a flag or rifle, band camps for 2020 have included the added challenges of adhering to COVID-19 protocols. "Masks are mandatory," commented Nase. "The color guard and percussion all wear them throughout the evening, and wind players move them down to play." Nase added that special attention has been paid to social distancing. "We keep everyone at a minimum of six feet apart, but we shoot for more," he said, noting that when students arrive at camp, instead of going into the building, they each remain in an assigned parking space and talk to each other from their spaces. Another area of focus involves instruments or flags. "With percussion and guard, chain of custody is really important," said Nase. "Kids have been given equipment sticks, mallets, flags, and they are theirs. They stay with that person. Instruments stay with that person." Organizers have also added time to rehearsals to allow for social distancing. "Normally we would (rehearse) 6 to 6:30 p.m. doing one thing, and at 6:32 we would start the next thing," said Nase. "We are building in time to get from place to place to play it safe (and) for flexibility."
According to Nase, the students returned with the right attitude to accomplish the work that needed to be done within limitations. "The kids have done an excellent job following all the protocols," he said. "That was something I talked about the first night ... I told them what a great job they did, and I reminded them that ... they have to fight that instinct to let down their guard just because we have done it successfully."
Kayla Wolf, serving as drum major for the second year in a row, observed that after the long break, the students are happy to be together again. "It's different from years past, (but) just being together finally, even though we are six feet apart (is fun)," she said. "Seeing my friends and still being goofy and still doing the things we are used to doing in band but differently (allows us to) still joke (and) still have fun."
Cavalcade of Bands canceled live events in early August. Nase noted the organization plans to offer clinics and will accept videos of bands so judges may give comments and feedback. He intends to consider those options later in the fall. For now, he hopes the band will be able to perform at home football games. He also hopes to see area bands meet up in a safe manner during weeks when the team is away, since bands will not travel to away games this year. "Directors have discussed that if two schools have away games on a Friday, possibly getting together (at one of the schools) to perform for each other," he said "It will be as close to performing (before a crowd) as possible." Nase noted, however, that the option may or may not be open to bands. "There's so much that's up in the air right now," he conceded.
More information about the school may be found at http://www.conestogavalley.org/cvhs.
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