This year, the Oliver Springs Academy Marching Band has worked tirelessly since the summer to bring their show, “Into the Shadows,” to life. Led by directors Timothy Micheals and JT Hicks, the band has remained undefeated in class 1A since 2015. The band is full of capable members who have put their all into their show and have since reaped the rewards of their hard work. The marching band traveled to three competitions, where they remained undefeated in class 1A.
Karns Marching Invitational:
1st Place Band Class A
1st Place Percussion Class A
Walden Ridge Marching Festival and Competition:
Class A Best Percussion
Class A Best Colorguard
Class A First Place Band
Overall Champion Band
Overall Champion Percussion
49th Alcoa High School Marching Band Competition:
Class A 1st Place Band
Class A 1st Place Percussion
Class A 1st Place Colorguard
Class A 2nd Place Drum Major
Class A/AA/AAA People’s Choice Award
The Oliver Springs Academy Marching Band has had many talented members over the years. This year, the captains of each section gave their all to perform their best. Captains include Drum Major Jesse Meaders, Band/Brass Captain Evan Cline, Band Captain Gracie Stout, Woodwind Captain Sarah Yaokley, Percussion Captain Gavril Salenga, and Colorguard Captain Elizabeth Bean. Each Captain was asked about this marching season:
Q: How do you think you’ve grown since band camp?
Jesse M.: I think I’ve always been the best at my talents. I've taught myself a lot of things and I’ve always listened to Mr Micheals.
Q: How do you take leadership from within your role?
Jesse M.: I usually try to correct others when I see them misbehaving or struggling with some of their music.
Q: Is there any advice you’d like to give about marching band?
Jesse M.: The best advice I can give is to listen to Mr. Micheals when he is teaching.
Q: How do you think you’ve grown since band camp?
Evan C.: I’ve always had complete confidence in my abilities and know that I get better at what I do daily.
Q: How do you take leadership from within your role?
Evan C.: I do my best to correct misbehavior and help others when they need it.
Q: Is there any advice you’d like to give about marching band?
Evan C.: The best advice I can give is to listen to Mr. Micheals when he tells you something, and scour the internet or meet people who are experts at your instrument.
Q: How do you think you’ve grown since band camp?
Sarah Y.: Since band camp, I feel that I’ve definitely become more confident, not only in areas pertaining to band.
Q: How do you take leadership from within your role?
Sarah Y.: I take leadership as a captain by doing my best to help wherever I can and by teaching others what my former leaders taught me.
Q: Is there any advice you’d like to give about marching band?
Sarah Y.: Some pieces of advice I would give that I have learned through marching band are definitely to listen to Mr. Micheals, believe me he knows what he’s doing, as well as staying consistent. Consistency is key when seeking results from anything, be it studying, practicing an instrument, working out, or wherever you seek improvement.
Q: How do you think you’ve grown since band camp?
Gavril S.: While I wasn’t perfect throughout my eight years of marching band, I struggled but strived for the best possible outcome for each season in the band.
Q: How do you take leadership from within your role?
Gavril S.: I treat my role as the percussion captain with seriousness, but also with enjoyment. While I’m not the best drum captain this band has had, I Have still made sure that our percussion line gives its all with these years of performance.
Q: Is there any advice you’d like to give about marching band?
Gavril S.: The number one advice I would give for current band members and upcoming members is to never lose focus. No matter what’s going on either with school or your personal life never lose your concentration, it’ll be worth it at the end of the day.
Q: How do you think you’ve grown since band camp?
Elizabeth B.: I always strive to better myself in whatever I do. Since band camp, I’ve seen a lot of improvement within myself. There are times when I don’t feel as confident in my abilities, but I always get back up and strive to improve even more.
Q: How do you take leadership from within your role?
Elizabeth B.: My role as color guard captain is extremely important to me. I’ve always seen it as an opportunity to help my fellow guard members better their skills. I always do my best daily to make sure that the other guard members keep their focus and also strive to better themselves.
Q: Is there any advice you’d like to give about marching band?
Elizabeth B.: The best I can give is to know your abilities, and work to go even further than what you know you’re capable of. There will always be moments when you want to quit, but there has never been anything worth doing that has come easy.
The Oliver Springs Academy Marching Band has worked tirelessly this year to better their skills and bring an amazing performance to the public. Their efforts are clear when they take the field to perform. They’ve brought so much to the field and will continue to do so in the future.