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Despite recent changes, Garner High band flourishes

By Sharron Gibson
Education Editor

The Garner Magnet High School band program is thriving despite facing major changes since the 2008-2009 school year.

The GMHS band, the Mighty Trojans, show off trophies from their wins in their first band competition of the season in September. MICHELLE WARD, CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Former band director John Caldwell’s resignation resulted in a search for a new director during the Wake County Public Schools System’s hiring freeze. The band graduated a large number of seniors in 2009, which resulted not only in the loss of the musicians but many of the experienced band booster parents as well. The band booster plan to repaint and refurbish the 1980s model band truck was also put on hold when the truck experienced major mechanical trouble.

But the band has triumphed over most of these obstacles quite well.

New band director Chris Serina, who graduated with from Appalachian State University and led bands in Rocky Mount and Johnston County, was officially hired a week before band camp was slated to begin. According to Principal Drew Cook, Serina has worked long hours to prepare the Mighty Trojans Marching Band for the fall season and instill mutual respect among the musicians.

Senior trumpet player Dylan Castora agrees, noting that the transition went more smoothly than the students anticipated.

“Mr. Serina went right to work,” Castora said. “He came right in like nothing had changed and has made the transition easy for us.”

Serina gives much of the credit to the students, parents and school community, however.

“The kids have worked really hard and are very dedicated,” he said. “I’ve got a great group of parents that really help out with everything we do. The school is really supportive.”

In addition to marching band, which is a voluntary extracurricular group, all band students spend class time in either concert band or symphonic band. Serina said that concert band, the class for freshmen, has 28 members this year and that he anticipates a larger incoming freshmen class for the 2010-2011 school year.

Roughly half of GMHS’s 70 band students choose to participate in marching band. While Serina is hopeful this percentage will increase, he values the commitment required to be a part of the marching band and holds the young musicians to high standards.

Hard work behind with more still to come

The high expectations appear to be paying off. The marching band participated in their first band competition of the season at Clayton Saturday, Sept. 26. Stormy weather forced the competition to be moved into the Clayton High School gym, but the GMHS band has become accustomed to dealing with change.

The Mighty Trojans walked away with trophies for first place in music, outstanding color guard and best overall for Class AA bands. They also placed second for general effect.

The marching band followed the competition with quite a busy week. In addition to practices, the group performed at a North Garner Middle School football game, the GMHS pep rally, Homecoming 2009 parade, the Homecoming game against Knightdale High School and then capped the week with an appearance in the Fireman’s Day Parade. They are also preparing for the remaining two competitions of the seasons.

Serina and the Mighty Trojans also believe in being involved as much as possible in community activities. They will play for a Veteran’s Day ceremony at Lake Benson and appear in both the Garner and Raleigh Christmas parades.

The community helps the band to keep marching

Jocelyn Cahall, president of the band boosters, said the Garner community is also supportive of the band. Cahall contacted locally-owned restaurants to request dinner for the band members on Friday nights during home football games; all contacted restaurants have been very generous in their donations for the students.

The boosters use various means to the support the annual budget of $40,000. Each family is required to donate or raise $400, but the remainder of the money for instruments, uniforms, music and travel must come from fundraisers.

In addition to the normal costs, this season the band truck broke down. The group has been forced to rent trucks to haul the equipment to parades and competitions, as there are no funds available to replace the truck. Cahall and the boosters are hopeful the community will step forward to help.

The Mighty Trojan Marching Band may be small in numbers at this point, but they are representing Garner Magnet High School and the Garner community well. Mighty, indeed.

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• Garner High bands hold open house, seek support

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