Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rotarians Hear About GHS Band

Gurdon's Marching Go-Devil Band will be rocking the new stadium to the rafters.

At least this is the promise Band Director Alan Wimberly told the Gurdon Rotary Club Thursday.

He said this year's halftime show has an ambitious routine, but the music will be fun. The band will be getting heavily into funky music, playing selections from groups such as the Ohio Players and KC and the Sunshine Band.

Some of the tunes to be performed include "Brick House", "Jungle Boogie" and "Roller Coaster".

Wimberly said this group of students came to summer practice ready to work hard and maintain Gurdon's domination in competitions during the year. When he told them this year's routine was more challenging and the band may not get all 1s at the contests, he was informed, by the students, this is not the case and the GHS band will continue to rule.

The students are committed to success, he said. During one summer practice, the band was given a break. In the past, the students have had to be told to return to practice.

In this instance, Wimberly said, when the break was over, he yelled for the band to get ready, but called to an empty room, as was pointed out by assistant director Bruce Burson.

The band was already outside, on the practice field with drum major Annie Otwell having them in formation.

Additionally, at the start of practice, each member of the band was given a pin to wear to practice. Those who didn't had to give Wimberly 10 pushups. On one occasion, he said, he forgot to wear the pin and attempted to give the band 10. "It was ugly," he said.

"I've never seen Mr. Burson as happy as he is this year," Wimberly continued. He attributed Burson's happiness to the attitude and work ethic of the students.

This year's GHS band will have 34 members, with the percussion section to be sporting a new look, especially in headgear.

While the rest of the band will be in standard uniform, the flag line and majorette will also be showing off a new look for the fans.

Wimberly said a precedent was set for this year's group  they had to audition and earn their way into the high school band.

However, he said, those who didn't make the cut weren't tossed out of the program, but were, instead, placed in the intermediate band. As their skills and talent improves, they can be moved up to the high school level.

The intermediate band, he said, has 22 members, while there are 34 in the sixth grade band. There is a total of 75 students in the sixth grade this year, so Wimberly is pleased with the turnout for band.

"It will be exciting," he said. "The new stadium is incredible and the fans will love it." The band, Wimberly pointed out, will be seated closest to the concession stand.

In discussing the concession stand, Wimberly said it's bigger than some houses, with large restrooms.

The Marching Go-Devil Band will make its first appearance Sept. 10 when the new stadium is inaugurated with a visit from the Lake Village Beavers.

Ceremonies are being planned for the event, with commemorative souvenirs to be sold at the concession stand.