Marching Hurricanes Get Fall Ready With Summer Band Camp
The Marching Hurricanes are ramping up the 2023 season with band camp. The annual band camp began with half days last week and continued with full days this week. The show this year is titled “Wonder,” a three movement show with a space like theme.
Longtime band director Chris Savage elaborated on each of the movements in the show. Movement one is set to cover the “lift-off”, a frantic paced journey into space that will leave listeners ready to travel to space themselves. Movement two is set to represent the calmness and tranquility of the show. Mr. Savage described specifically as “floating in space.” Movement three will then see the “return to home” portion of the show.
The music choice of the show is primarily based off of planets. Music in the show will include Claude Debussy’s “Clare De Lune” and an unordinary rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star.”
When speaking of the challenges the band may face this year, Mr. Savage said the main challenge was the amount of newer faces in the band. This year the Marching Hurricanes have around 20 rookies, a higher number than usual. However, Mr. Savage said that this is a “great problem to have” and that the rookies are doing great and are acclimating just fine. Mr. Savage also added that the heat has been an issue, and it’s something that they’ll have to work through as the season goes on.
While many know the Marching Hurricanes to be the official halftime show of the JCHS football games, they also compete in a number of competitions. This year, the band has two competitions. The first in September at the Oconee Classic in Milledgeville and the second in October at the Hurricane Classic in Monroe.
When being asked what he’d like to see the band accomplish this season, Mr. Savage spoke on the growth of the overall band being important. He stated while it would be nice to match or exceed the scores of previous competitions, growing the program and reaching the band’s full potential is what he’d like to see the most.
Joining Mr. Savage in the Marching Hurricanes staff is JCMS director Matthew Jernigan and Brass/Visual director Wayne Bennett. The colorguard director is Kim Savage.
This year’s drum major is Faith Cook.
The woodwinds section include Abigail Claborn, Chloe Darst, Alyssa Moon, Marie Perry, Breanna Singleton, Stephanie Waters, Perla Bautista, Amy Monterrey, Emma Morris, Destiny Peete, Bethany Strength, Alan Bautista, Garrett Beckworth, Charles Forrest, Ryker Harty, Emmett Hawlik, Tommy Sanvidge, Cameran Tuggle, Carley Whitmire, and Caroline Savage.
The brass section includes Owen Boatwright, Brandon Zawlocki, Carlie Hall, Braden Hoffman, Eli Nelson, Kinley Savage, Kaylee Slocumb, JD Williams, Leamon Clayborn, Aaliyah Johnson, Jacob McCullen, Tyler Zawlocki, Cooper Selman, Brady Cagle, Carson Crotts, and Riley Newton.
Percussion include Michael Abner, Chris Boswell, Brailey DeGarmo, Cooper Dietzel, Lorilei Fowler, Eden Funk, Maelee Hamblin, Andrew Harris, Maiden Jordan, Nate McIntyre, Eli Morgan, Hannah Tinney, Anna Trawick, and Houston West.
Colorguard include Sophie Adams, Itzel Arizmendi, Jordyn Drake, Skye Eads, Lupita Garcia, Abigail Garland, Autumn George, Emily Hall, Rayne Paulsen, Chantal Sanchez, Joseph Stephenson, and Yaretzi Tarin.