Liberty, James Clemens bands merge for combined, field performance

MADISON – More than 300 musicians performed together on Oct. 25 when bands merged from Liberty Middle and James Clemens High schools.

The bands from James Clemens High School and Liberty Middle School performed together at the Jets/Decatur game on Oct. 25. (CONTRIBUTED)

The musicians played at the Jets home game. They stood in a sea of school colors, bright orange and Carolina blue, on Madison City Schools Stadium field.

Liberty band director Gwen Rakoff brought 180 musicians, including about 25 students in the sixth-grade honor band. “My biggest challenge was logistics. Lots of planning goes into an event for almost 200 middle school and 130 high school students,” Rakoff said.

During pre-game, the Jets Band and JROTC were on field for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As the Jets drumline played, the Lions marched to join James Clemens. The full band played the Jet’s fight song, “To the Skies.”

Keith Anderson is band director at James Clemens, assisted by Stuart Tankesley.

Many Liberty students had some marching experience from Madison Music Camp last summer. “The kids were excited, but nervous, about … such a large venue in front of a big crowd,” Rakoff said.

Liberty enjoyed walking through the huge, inflated football helmet, giving them a taste of high school band.

In the stands, Liberty sat by the Jets Band throughout the game. “There was a lot of school spirit. James Clemens students made the Liberty kids feel important,” Rakoff said. “Emily Wittig, James Clemens Drum Major, did a great job involving the Liberty students in music and cheers.”

For the event, Rakoff met a paperwork challenge, devised a band ‘uniform,’ scheduled chaperones and buses, planned the pre-game meal and taught field maneuvers. Music was the easy part, thanks to Anderson’s simplified arrangement.

Rakoff credits band boosters from both schools with the event’s success.

About 85 percent of Liberty students usually continue into high school band. Anderson, Tankesley and Rakoff believe solid relationships with the young bandsmen keeps them involved later. The trio collaborates often in a cooperative spirit.

“We believe that solid musical teaching, high expectations and a unified vision make our programs so strong,” she said.