Marching Black Bears look forward to season
WARSAW – Cassidy Tarrh always wanted to be a drum major and this year her dream came true.
“I remember seeing a drum major at a parade when I was really young and ever since then I knew I wanted to this one day,” she said. “I was able to meet my goal my senior year.”
Tarrh will lead the River View High School marching band onto the field when it performs at football games and competitions this fall.
“I have to be one step ahead of the band at all times and know every part of our routines and all the music,” she said.
This year, the Black Bear’s competition show is called Beautiful Dreamer – Music of Stephen Foster.
“We consider several shows each year, but I thought this one was educational because they get to learn some folk songs and about an American composer,” said Keith Watson, band director.
According to Watson, the band members caught on to the music pretty well during summer practices.
“We have a lot of musical talent and a group of good kids,” he said.
The Marching Black Bears are 62 strong this year and Watson said about 18-20 of them are freshmen.
“One of our strengths is the fact that the kids are willing,” he said. “There is experience in about every section and they have the attitude to make things happen. We just need a few more reps on certain things and to get the freshmen to catch on a little more and we will start to blend together.”
Tarrh also has high hopes for this year’s band.
“I think we have a really, really great group,” she said. “I love the competitive and teamwork aspect of band. I think, band more than anything else requires teamwork. If you don’t have that it’s not going to work.”
Freshman Michael Border is looking forward to being part of that team.
“I like music and I think it’s fun to play and march,” he said. “It’s a lot of hard work though because you have to remember the music and the drill and get it all right.”
The Black Bears will get to demonstrate their skills for area residents when they host the Black Bear Marching Band Invitational Saturday, Oct. 19. The competition is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at Don Rushing Stadium. They also have away competitions at 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at Zanesville and at 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at New Philadelphia.
Category: Clubs & Organizations, Education
