The Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 156, No. 50, Ed. 1 Saturday, August 22, 2009 Page: 7 of 12
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Che JBastrop 3(locrtiscr
LIVING
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2009 * PAGE A8
Strike up the Bears band
BY TERRY HAGERTY
Assistant Editor
You don't have to be out on Bastrop
High School's rear parking lot more than
10 minutes to realize that band director
Johnny L. Lang's vocal bark s more love
than bite, when it comes to instructing
youth.
The heat would already be testing
this group of dedicated high school
musicians by 10 a.m. on a Thursday
morning, and they arrived well before 8
a.m.
But with frequent water breaks and
the overall spirit of the band quite evi-
dent, the workout in the heat didn't
seem to faze them at all.
"The excitement level is up for this
year, and the student leaders are doing a
fantastic job in showing the way and
motivating other band members," Lang
said. "This is the best start we've had in
three years since the new staff arrived."
A teacher with 22 years in the field,
Lang became BUS band director in
2007.
"The freshmen are also very excited
and going the extra mile even when it's
105 degrees outside," Lang said. "We
also have a very strong senior class of
about 30 students."
The band is preparing for a very busy
year - as always.
"We perform at parades, pep rallies,
football games, concerts and numerous
marching and concert contests," Lang
said. "There are also special performanc-
es for other school district and communi-
ty functions."
The hometown crowd will have their
chance to see the band's halftime show
at the new Bastrop Memorial Stadium
off Texas 21 - on Friday, Sept. 4 for the
Bears' game against San Marcos. (The
Bears visit Buda Hays for their first reg-
ular game of the season on Friday, Aug.
28.)
Lang said participation in band is a
valuable experience for students.
"There's more performance opportu-
nities (than middle school band) and
more opportunities to make memories
and lifelong friends," Lang said. "It's
demanding work, but worth every
minute that you spend working with
others for a common goal."
Come on out for the band!
Lang said there are 130 students
participating n the BHS band now.
He added that there are still a few
faces he would like to see out on the
parking lot.
"There are a number of students at
BHS that we would love to have come
out and join band - and it's not too late,"
Lang emphasized.
"We have around 60 freshmen right
now, but we should really be closer to
100, between the BMS and CCMS
bands.
"We expect students to work hard
and play harder," Lang said. "We set
goals and standards and expect them to
meet them. Our motto is 'Excellence has
a Price.'"
Lang credited his assistants for help-
ing to field a strong band come the start
of the school year. The staff includes
assistant band directors Chris Mendez
and Michele Lang, color guard instruc-
tor Allison Higginbotham and band sec-
retary Donna Bartsch.
"We have an awesome group of band
parents as well," Lang added.
alfti me show
"Our halftime competition show is
titled 'Copland Variations,' which is
music of American composer Aaron
Copland," Lang said. "The show is in
three parts; part one is based on 'The
Red Pony' and part two is 'Down A
Country Lane.' Part three is 'Fanfare for
the Common Man' and 'The Red Pony.'"
You will also hear snippets of
"Appalachian Spring" throughout the
performance.
Lang and students are hoping for a
strong turnout at games this year to
showcase their talent. Don't disappoint
them!
25
21
Students practice lining up in the correct formation.
V J
BISD's Director of Bands Johnny Lang takes a short break with the the Bastrop High School marching band during a practice
earlier this week. Lang is hoping even more students will come out for the band.
Playing or marching miscues call for a few pushups and
occasional laps around the perimeter of the practice area in
the rear Bastrop High School parking lot.
i
Senior Melanie Perez gives playing tips to a fellow
band member.
Freshman Kendrick William practices raising her horn to the proper level during practice of the Bastrop High School
marching band. Close to 130 students are currently with the band, a number that could increase.
Sta * photos by perry Hagerty
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Wright, Cyndi. The Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 156, No. 50, Ed. 1 Saturday, August 22, 2009, newspaper, August 22, 2009; Bastrop, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth252607/m1/7/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bastrop Public Library.