When Zachary Davis was one of five directors of a high school marching band in San Antonio, Texas, he helped oversee a flourishing program that boasted more than 300 members.
This year, Davis is leading a 20-member marching band at The Catholic High School of Baltimore that includes some students who are just learning to play instruments.
Davis, who arrived at Catholic High this summer, knows he’s in for a challenge in getting the East Baltimore school’s newly formed band off the ground. But he sees tremendous potential in helping develop one of the area’s only all-girls marching bands into a source of pride.
“It’s really exciting and fun to start a program from scratch,” said Davis, noting that Catholic High began the marching band last year, but never did any actual marching. “You get to develop a new tradition. Students in smaller bands form closer bonds and friendships, so that’s going to be exciting from a teaching standpoint.”
Davis remembered working with a marching band in his native Alabama that was in a similar stage of development.
“When you’re growing a program, you start off by just getting the bodies in there,” said Davis, who also teaches music in the school. “Then we can teach the marching because that comes a little easier than the playing. Then we teach the playing. And then everything starts to come together.”
During an Aug.18 practice session, marching band members wore crisp green, black, yellow and white uniforms with white-plumed shako caps as they worked on “The Star-Spangled Banner” and other pieces. With constant encouragement from their band leader, the students’ confidence grew as they began playing more in unison over the course of the session.
Davis brought Olivia Campbell, a junior piccolo and flute player, to the front to conduct alongside him. Earlier, Campbell marked time using drumsticks as her bandmates learned to march heel to toe in the school parking lot.
“You work together as a team to create the best music you can,” Campbell said, “and once you really get to that spot where it just sounds really good, the feeling of accomplishment and just teamwork is so amazing, and you really start to grow a family with the band.”
Isabelle Maisano, a senior band member who has played the flute since fourth grade, said being in the nascent band gives opportunities for leadership.
“Because we are just starting out and we are moving in a new direction with it, we have a lot of say in what happens,” she said.
There’s a feeling of pride in being part of an all-girls’ band. There are not many all-girls’ marching bands throughout the country.
“It’s very rare to see female representation – a female drum major or conductor,” said Davis, who hopes Catholic High’s band can partner with area schools for appearances at sporting events.
Dr. Barbara Nazelrod, Catholic High president, was on hand at a recent practice to cheer for the girls. She was overjoyed to see a marching band on campus. It’s been her dream for many years.
“When I see you all suited up like this I get goose bumps,” she told the students. “I can’t tell you what this means to me as your president and a Catholic High alum. I think you’re awesome. You’re going to help showcase our school in so many ways.”
Kevin J. Parks contributed to this story.
Email George P. Matysek Jr. at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org
To view more photos of Catholic High’s marching band, click below:
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