James Clemens Band to march 197 strong this season

MADISON – With the arrival of fall, a new school year starts, and a new season for marching band opens with performances during halftime at football games, along with a separate, different show for competitions.

At James Clemens High School, Director of Bands Keith Anderson and Assistant Band Director Brian Sims actually started working with band members at band camp during summer break. Band camp introduces music and marching drills that the students will perform during the fall season.

For 2022, James Clemens High School Band will have 197 students marching on the field at halftime. From that total, sections include 126 winds (who play a wind instrument), 31 percussionists, 25 in color guard, 12 for dance team and three drum majors.

Section leaders communicate to fellow players about drill and music changes and motivate members in their squad about correcting any mistakes:

* Drum Majors — Aiyana Milligan, Bryan Preer and Logan Thomason.

* Flutes — Kate Owen and Sarah Choi.

* Clarinets — Esther Jung and Bailey Werka.

* Alto Saxophones — Jack Weber.

* Tenor Saxophones — Troy Woods.

* Trumpets — Joshua Wortham and William Ryals.

* Mellophones — Quinn Zalamea.

* Trombones — Will King and Joseph Choi.

* Baritones — Piper Room.

* Tubas — Cecily Burns.

* Battery — Adam Schneider.

* Front Ensemble — Eli Brown.

* Color Guard — Aun’yae Johnson, Olivia Bonner, Emma Blair, Kendall Sturdivant, Ella Jackson and Savannah Williams.

* Dance Line — Chloe James, Leslie Ku and Anna Laramie.

James Clemens halftime show is named “Royals” and features the music of Lorde, Queen, Prince and James Brown, “The Godfather of Soul.” Featured soloists are Quinn Zalamea on mellophone, Joshua Wortham on trumpet and Will King on trombone.

“Our competition show is entitled ‘Subjects of Time’ and explores our relationship to time and all the things we try to do to control it,” Anderson said. The show features “Right Now” by Van Halen, “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce, “A Thousand Years” by Cristina Perry and “Give Us This Day” by David Maslanka.

In the competition show, featured soloists are Will King, Joseph Choi, and Will Bagwell on trombone; Quinn Zalamea and Tailse Milligan on mellophone; Joshua Wortham on trumpet; and Kate Owen on flute.

Staff members who assist with James Clemens Band are Katie Hazelton, Color Guard sponsor; Samantha Fotovich, Dance Team sponsor; Gwen Rakoff and Kayla Sims, Liberty Middle School directors; and Andrew Kirk, student intern.

For their contests, James Clemens Band will compete in Tennessee Valley Invitational, Muscle Shoals; Peach State Marching Festival, Rome, Ga.; and Bands of America Regional Championship, Jacksonville.