A Legacy of Honor: Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence in Marching Band
By guest columnist, Holly Hartman Early
This spring, I’ve been doing a lot of fond reminiscing about my time in the JFHMS and Broadway band programs. Part of that reflection is due to the knowledge that my eldest daughter will be joining band for the first time at Hillyard in the fall. Middle school is hard, but it eases my mind as a mother to know that she has decided to join band and will quickly be able to make lasting friendships with a bunch of great kids.
The band room was always the space where I could be fully myself. Whatever cares I had could be left at the door, and I could lose myself in the music for a time while the stress melted away. My participation gave me confidence, taught me to work hard, and allowed me to meet friends who accepted me for who I was, quirks and all. My band mates became like family, and I’m still good friends with many of them to this day. Band is even how I met a certain alto sax player who went on to become my husband! I’m excited for my daughter to experience those benefits, too.
The other part of my nostalgic reflection is due to a significant anniversary this spring. Twenty years ago, BHS clinched its very first Virginia Honor Band designation. I was a junior that year and participated in both the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble. I remember it was Mrs. Paula Fair’s first year as director, and she encouraged us from the start to work hard toward the goal of achieving the Honor Band distinction. “They who succeed believe they will” was our motto, and she emphasized that no one sits on the bench when it comes to band; it takes everyone doing their part to make a piece work.
We put in hours upon hours of hard work, marched on asphalt in sweltering summer heat during band camp, and gave up our evenings and weekends for practices, games, and competitions. The sacrifice never seemed like a burden when among friends, but when our show “Celtic Celebration” earned top placements and superior ratings at competitions, the exhilaration made every drop of sweat and blood worth it. We were halfway to the Honor Band designation. That spring, my bandmates and I put the same level of time and effort into our concert pieces. We went on to earn superior for concert band as well, clinching the Virginia Honor Band designation for the first time ever and accomplished the challenging goal Mrs. Fair set for us.
That magical 2003-2004 season kicked off a music dynasty for Broadway High School’s band program. Since then, Broadway has become a highly decorated, 15-time Virginia Honor Band. That tradition of superior performance has continued across different directors, carried on by each new crop of students in the past two decades. As an alumna, it brings me great joy to see how the program has grown and flourished over the years.
However, recent news about the budget cuts that Rockingham County Public Schools face puts Broadway’s legacy at risk. In early April, RCPS announced that due to receiving significantly less money from the state, budget reductions are necessary for 2024-2025. Much attention has been focused on losing behavioral support and technology staff, but we are also feeling the impact of the proposed cuts in our local music programs.
Due to the budget cuts, Broadway High School is losing its assistant band director, Ms. Bethany Lough. Ms. Lough currently works with concert band students in addition to teaching piano and guitar classes, and because of her position being eliminated, Broadway students will have fewer music class options for next school year. This is heartbreaking given the tremendous benefits of music education. Studies consistently show music education facilitates academic achievement by improving student recall and retention, boosts math achievement, reading, and language arts skills, and even increases average SAT scores (NAMM Foundation). More importantly, the band room is a place where students are accepted, find their people, gain confidence, and where everyone has a role to play. Fewer music classes mean fewer students will be able to seize these invaluable opportunities. In addition to now having fewer staff to support the program, budget constraints also make it more difficult for Broadway to afford equipment it needs to maintain competitiveness.
Broadway Bands have always enjoyed support from the local community, and now that support is more important than ever. I challenge all band program alumni to join me in donating $20.00 to Broadway High School bands, in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the first Virginia Honor Band designation. “They who succeed, believe they will.” Together, we can ensure despite the challenges faced, Broadway Bands can continue their superior legacy and keep making our community proud. Donations, memories and well wishes for the upcoming season can be mailed to:
Broadway High School Marching Band
attn: C. Flake, Director
269 Gobbler Dr
Broadway, VA 22815
