ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 2, 1997 TAG: 9701030010
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
The trophies tell the story.
The Lord Botetourt High School band won 39 first-place trophies this fall in marching and maneuvering, music, color guard, percussion and other categories.
The band also was named first in its class in six marching festivals in three states, and received a superior rating at all the events.
The Marching Cavaliers won four second-place awards, missing first place in these categories by one or two points.
If that's not enough to convince you that this was the Botetourt band's most successful year, read the letter from Gov. George Allen.
"The outstanding ability and dedication of this band has earned them a richly deserved reputation for musical excellence," Allen wrote in congratulating the student musicians.
The "citizens of Daleville and all of Virginia take pride in the outstanding achievements of this band," the governor wrote. "The high degree of Lord Botetourt High School Band's success is the result of determination, hard work and self-discipline exhibited by each member."
The 68-member band was led by drum major Meg Sellers, along with Heather Morrison, percussion captain, and Ashley Mady and Jennifer Kessler, color guard captains.
The band director is Rex Davidson, who has been at the school for five years. He was a band director at schools in Alabama, Mississippi and Maine for 13 years before coming to Lord Botetourt.
"This year was a culmination of what we've been building since I came. I knew we could have a strong year," he said. "When I came here, the band didn't know what it was like to win. They'd go to competition and get a participation recognition, but no trophies.''
"It's been an educational process for the community and the School Board," he said. "I could have twice the number of members I have in the band if we had more money."
At many high schools, any student who wishes to be in the band can join. Because of the growing interest in band and the limited funding, however, Botetourt students have to audition.
"I'm losing eight members next year, but I've got 25 students who want to join," Davidson said.
In competition this season, the band outscored 64 bands from five states: Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia and North Carolina.
Lord Botetourt competed in band festivals in Vinton; Moneta; Lynchburg; Harrisonburg; Lewisburg, W.Va.; and Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
The band's show repertoire included themes from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony: "Fur Elise," "Scherzo," the "Pathetique Sonata" and "Ode to Joy." As the band finished the last bars of "Ode to Joy," a huge picture of Beethoven was unfurled, bringing roars from the crowds. During the rendition of "Fur Elise," a large music box was brought onto the field, and freshman color guard member Lindsay Mady danced on top.
The Beethoven program was new for the band this year. "The students said they wanted a new program, and they surprised me in how much they enjoyed classical music," Davidson said.
"It was difficult music, and we designed a difficult drill."
At band camp during August, the students worked from 9 to 4 daily learning the music and drills.
The highlight of the season came in October when the band won first place at James Madison University's Parade of Champions by outscoring 12 bands in its class.
Lord Botetourt had placed third at the James Madison competition in 1994 and 1995. The band won the event this year even though it missed a dress rehearsal the previous night because of rain at the school's homecoming game.
"It's been a long time coming, but it was definitely worth the wait," said Jeremy Vaughan, senior trumpet soloist.
During the fall marching season, the Marching Cavaliers outscored larger schools and such archrivals as Altavista High School, E.C. Glass High in Lynchburg and Liberty High in Bedford.
Botetourt band members were especially elated when they beat Altavista, one of their biggest rivals, at the James Madison competition.
At Lynchburg, the Marching Cavaliers outscored Liberty, which competes in Class AAA for large bands. Botetourt normally competes in Class AA.
Liberty had beaten Botetourt in various competitions in the past, and "our kids were itching for a rematch," Davidson said. He decided to move the band up a notch to compete in Class AAA. Rules allow a band director to move the band up one class, but not down, if the director feels confident enough to go against a larger band.
At the Greenbrier East Marching Classic in Lewisburg, W.Va., Lord Botetourt won the Grand Champion trophy, beating 13 bands, including E.C. Glass. This was the only competition in which the bands performed twice - first in their individual divisions and then all against each other.
Davidson said the Lord Botetourt band has a strong booster club that has helped contribute to its success. "My philosophy is to involve as many people in the community as possible."
Sherrie Andrews, mother of a band member, gives Davidson much of the credit for the band's success.
"They've come a long way in a short time," Andrews said. "It's very unusual to have a marching band play classical music in competition. They stand out."
She said the band's success has created interest and enthusiasm among middle school students in Botetourt. "It's like the girls' basketball team and winning the state championship. Kids see the success, and they want to be part of it."
Davidson thinks the marching bands at Lord Botetourt and other Western Virginia high schools are among the best in the state. "I think they can stand up to anyone."
And he's already looking forward to next season.
LENGTH: Long : 118 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: NHAT MEYER/Staff. 1. Freshman Sarah McDonald (left) andby CNBher fellow band members at Lord Botetourt High School line up for
practice. 2. Junior Meg Sellers (foreground) leads a practice on the
driving range at Lord Botetourt High School. 3. Amanda Tuck (right),
a sophomore, swings her flag while
practicing with the other color guard members. 4. Freshman Josh Witt
(left) practices on his slide trombone, and junior Joe Surface
(right) gets a look at some new music for his sousaphone in the band
practice room at Lord Botetourt. color. 5. Director Rex Davidson
(above) talks with junior Brett Honaker during band practice. 6.
Members of the marching band (right) practice a semi-circle
formation during practice at the school's driving range. 7. Trophies
won in competition this year alone line the walls of the band
practice room at Lord Botetourt.