By Debbie Adams
“WBHS Band Camp 2021 is in the books!” according to Band Director Dan Plybon. “Our Marching Terriers enjoyed a wonderful week at Camp Bethel.”
The Byrd band rehearsed their program at home camp at William Byrd High School inside the school and in the parking lot during the week of July 19. The following week they were off to Fincastle to Camp Bethel for away camp.
“The purpose of away camp is to give our students an opportunity to bond as a group,” Plybon said. “We work all day together, eat three meals ‘family style,’ together, participate in Band Camp Olympics together in the late evening, and then do it all again, all week long. The experience, in my opinion, is far better than keeping them at school for camps the entire time. The one week at away camp is something that our students look forward to and will not soon forget.”
After a week of rehearsals, the Marching Terriers performed their program, “Escape from the Mind,” for their families on Saturday, July 31, the last day at Camp Bethel.
“This afternoon the students performed with all their heart, and it showed!” Plybon noted. “I couldn’t be prouder of the progress that these young people have made over the last few weeks. I am anticipating a great season ahead.”
That season gets underway later in the month with the first home football game.
At a luncheon prior to the performance, Camp Bethel Director Barry LeNoir recognized the “fine group of students” from William Byrd and their adult leadership.
Plybon thanked, in particular, Assistant Director Denise Aspell, Band Booster President Suzanne Bowser, Color Guard Coach Keagan Vickers, Percussion Coach DeWayne Peters, Band Booster Fundraising Coordinator Erica Jones, and all the parents who supported their students. Some of the parents took vacation time to assist with band camp. Plybon also introduced the band parents to the program for the 2021 marching season.
“This year’s program, entitled ‘Escape from the Mind,’ has three selections,” explained Plybon. “The opening music is about being ‘Trapped’ in our minds with our thoughts and at times we all just want to ‘Escape!’ This is something we all can understand. The second selection is about ‘Escaping into the Clouds’ and leaving all our troubles and worries behind. The third selection is about ‘Love at First Sight’ or ‘I can’t get them out of my mind!’”
Student band officers this year are:
- Jonah Bowser, Corps Commander and Drum Major
- Johnathan Ham, Brass Captain
- Latriva Pierce, Woodwind Captain
- Tre Cossaboon, Percussion Captain
- Ema Fay, Color Guard Captain
It takes the support of band families to help all the pieces fall in place for performances and to raise funds for band activities. Band Booster officers for 2021-2022 are:
- President Suzanne Bowser
- Vice President Troy Ham
- Treasurer Heather Wray
- Secretary Amy Trogdon
- Fundraising Coordinator Erica Jones
The Marching Terriers roster for this year includes:
- Flutes: Emily Wilmer, Lake Paul, Maggie Parkhurst, Reagan Dillard
- Clarinet: Takenya Brown, Callie Lusk, Jacob Schult, Kassidy Wrye
- Bass Clarinet: Elijah Dillon
- Alto Sax: Ellie McCormack, Isaac Fedor, Aidan Williams
- Tenor Sax: Hunter Burns, Latriva Pierce, Becca Radford
- Trumpet: Griffin Yakob, Landon Bruner, Xavier Vaughn, Tyler Banks, Johnathan Ham, Annabelle Moore, Hunter Muddiman, Matthew Kalb
- Mellophone: Bennett Burger
- Trombone: Sage Kushman, Holly Mills, Conner Colgan, Caleb Drewery, Daniel Letz, Nathan Miller, Charles Trogdon, Catie Harless
- Baritone: Thomas McGregor, Claire Wray, Kaylynn Wilson
- Tuba; Sam Ferris, Jacob Blevins, Kyle Colvin, Jonah Bowser (Drum Major), Annika Hoagland
- Battery: Logan Brown, Mary Wray, Jackson Powell, Dylan Price, Jonathan Farmer, Treveon Cossaboon, Aiden Eline
- Front Ensemble: Cadin Byrd, Naveah Davila, Kaiden Schuder, Zepp Shelor, Corrina Pittenger, Ashton Kanode
- Color Guard: Emily Jones, Genevieve Paul, Allysen Morgan, Riley Helmintoller, Bailey Burger, Ema Fay, Faith Smith, Jason Cox
