By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. —
“Go back and do it again,” Doug Whitten shouted.
The director of athletic bands at Pittsburg State University, Whitten was perched on a platform ladder Thursday morning above the PSU practice field. Beneath him, more than 200 Kansas high school students returned to starting positions and came to attention.
Sweat was forming on their foreheads.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re all dragging, including myself, so if you don’t have the energy, fake it!” Whitten advised with a smile.
Percussionist Brandon Fansler, a junior at Chapman High School, began a rhythm on his drumsticks. With that, the 200 students began to move in unison, all looking west with chins up, arms up and invisible instruments held to their mouths.
“That’s it!” Whitten shouted, and cheers erupted among the students.
The students, from all over Kansas, are part of the Kansas Masonic All-State Band, which has been rehearsing in preparation for pregame and halftime performances during the 37th Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl high school all-star football game, which will be held today.
Whitten said those who attend will see a great show from the band, too.
“Pregame is patriotic, and halftime is a Blues Brothers show, with four songs from the movie that are really fun,” he said.
Learning drills
At PSU, days for the band members are split, with morning practices on the field in order to learn where to stand and how to move through each song. In the afternoon, the band rehearsed musical selections indoors at McCray Hall. They returned to the practice field in the evenings for additional drills.
For many students from rural high schools, it’s the only chance they’ve had to march with such a large group that includes multiple instruments in each section.
“It’s different being around so many others in the trombone section, where here there are 18 or 20 of them and at my school there are just a few,” said Gage Rogers, at senior at Pittsburg High School.
This is her first time participating in the Masonic Band.
“It’s weird being around others who love this as much as I do, and we sound really good, which is fun,” Rogers said.
Flute player Morgan Fritz, a junior from Southeast Saline County High School, is in her third year as a Masonic Band member.
“I’m excited about the show, and it’s nice meeting lots of people who like what I do,” she said. “After this experience, I’m a lot better with timing my steps on the field than I was in the past. Our director back at school had told us that we could learn a lot here because it’s more intensive.”
Said percussionist Sage Thurston, a junior from Emporia: “I like being able to march with 200 people from all over Kansas and do a show in just a few days. It helps build focus. When I go back to school, I will be able to pick it up so much more quickly, I think.”
The Kansas Masonic All-State Band has been a part of the Shrine Bowl since 1984. The band also performs at the Shrine Bowl banquet Friday evening and the Saturday morning Shrine Bowl parade.
Want to go?
The Kansas Shrine Bowl football game rotates to different cities each year. The teams are made up of 68 standout high school senior players from throughout the state. The event is used to raise money for the state’s Masonic charities.
Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Carnie Smith Stadium. Tickets are available online at www.pittstate.edu/office/tickets/athletics/index.dot.
Source: Craig Hull, Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau
