Since the beginning of summer, the Pride of Union Marching Band has worked hard to hear “Union” called last at the 2A State Marching Championship. It all began in July when we spent a whole week at band camp learning our music, routines, and sets. We continued to work hard during daily in-school practices that allowed us to better understand the show. Additionally, every single day, all of the band or some portion of the band had rehearsal to continue learning new parts and perfecting the entirety of the show. The weekly practice schedule since August has been full band practice on Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30, color guard practice on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30, percussion practice on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00, and full band practice on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30. The band not only practices while on DeVenney's time, but also many members take time to practice at home. Kenley Burns, a seventh-grade clarinet player, reveals her course of action for last Saturday’s performance: “I practice at home because I'm so nervous. I am really trying not to think about it too much. If I think about it, I stress out too much. I feel really prepared because of all the practices that we’ve had.” We, as members of The Pride of Union, worked countless hours to prepare for the competition this past Saturday.
Although this season wasn’t easy, we spent our season persevering through many obstacles such as weather, sickness, injury, and loss. However, the DeVenneys held brave faces for us through it all. They’ve prepared us since band camp by putting us through many different situations so that we would be ready for this past Saturday. Trombone section leader, James Adkins, comments on Mr. DeVenney’s preparation throughout the season: “He has really prepared us. He made us do it so much that we can’t get it wrong. You can never get lazy on a particular spot because we go through the entire show so much. He pushes us to our limits.”
All the many hours spent and obstacles faced all built up to this past Saturday's performance. However, while the DeVenneys and we prepared ourselves for the competition throughout the entirety of the season, Saturday’s performance never would’ve been possible without the support of parents and the community. We, as a collective from the Pride of Union Marching Band, want to thank bus drivers, trailer drivers, chaperones, hair and makeup stylists, equipment assistants, choreographers, and band booster officers for the countless ways you contributed to our success. Additionally, our band parents have done so much to make our winning a championship possible. Our parents have helped with costumes and uniforms, created the “Tree of Souls” prop for our show, decorated the buses with our names and encouraging quotes, and provided goodie bags, snacks, signs of support, and an amazing breakfast on championship morning. We also want to express our deepest gratitude for the entire community of Union. From lining Highway 15 to sending us off with your cheers and signs of support to sitting in the bleachers in the heat and cheering loudly for us to welcoming us home as champions on Saturday night with our very own parade, we have truly felt loved and supported by our community.
However, what matters more than the name we hold, the medal around our necks, and the rings on our fingers is the sense of family that this program has to offer. The DeVenneys have not only helped us become skilled performers but have helped us become well-established humans as well. Senior Bari-Sax player Jacob Smith reveals that “Band has given me a lot of confidence. I've made a bunch of friends. The DeVenneys are like second parents to people, and especially to people who are going through tough times. They are always there if you need something. We all get along. It’s a huge family.” With each and every chance given, they have made a positive influence on us all. They have modeled for us how to truly put God first in all we do. They have always prayed for us and with us, and we know we can trust them with anything. While we prepared for the championship throughout the year, we also grew as individuals by allowing us to understand that our situation, anxiety, popularity, and many other things do not define who we are. Mr. and Mrs. DeVenney have created a forever home for us where we can always be ourselves. As a collective, we can agree that no other program has allowed us to meet such incredible people and provided a sense of family like this one has given to all of us. As a family, we are asked the question every day at the end of band practice, “Who are we?” We all proudly shout without questioning, “Union.”
