GHS

School Band achieves straight "superior" ratings at state ASSESSMENT

Editor Ethan Miller

On March 13 and 14, the Gloucester High School Symphonic and Wind Ensemble bands got an astounding "superior" rating at the state assessment.

This was no small feat. After months of hard work and multiple after-school rehearsals, their work has paid off. “Hard work pays,” said Band Director Mr. Venable. “Putting up with the hard work always pays off.”

There were a lot of missteps to get to that point, however. “There were a lot actually,” says Venable, “But that’s the point of band. Inch by inch… we get closer and closer.”

Working with the students can be tough work, especially when there are inevitably those students who don’t out in the work to their best effort. “It’s hard to deal with lazy students.” He finds himself using methods that were used when he was a kid, and it helps the band quite a bit. “Everyone’s a first bench player. If one person sounds bad, it affects the whole band.”

“I like things to be perfect, but that’s impossible. When we get defeated, unless you kill me, I’ll always get back up,”

The Symphonic Band got straight ones over the board, which is the best grade to receive. Venable gave a few insights on the process behind the band. “You can’t compare yourself [to other bands],” he says, “There are many different factors in a performance.”

“I’m very proud of the students of both bands,” he says in a message to all band students. The assessment season may be over, but the Band isn’t quite finished yet, with both the Spring Concert and Graduation on the horizon, Band students have busy schedules in front of them.