Written by Ben Cox – A familiar Friday night sight will have a brand new show along with some new faces this season, and that’s not just the freshmen.
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The Mighty Maroon Marching Band has added two new assistant directors this season, Maryann Spurlock and Josh Carroll. Spurlock is a recent West Texas A&M graduate from Stratford Tx, in her first teaching position. Carroll is a Texas Tech graduate who comes to Brownwood after two years teaching at Texas City ISD.
Spurlock’s primary instrument is clarinet, focusing on woodwinds and color-guard and Carroll’s primary is French Horn with a focus on Brass instruments. Howard Payne senior Nathan Lacy will return as percussion tech this season.
Assistant Director and color guard coordinator Lesley Lambert says “We are excited for Mr Carroll and Ms Spurlock to join the band staff. They show a great deal of initiative and willingness to help in the preparations for summer band.”
Summer band begins on Monday and for those who are not familiar with what that means, “it’s like 2-a-days for band” according to director David Lambert. “We work on our marching fundamentals, learn the new music for the marching show, music that we play for the drill team and the fun songs we play in the stands.” Marching is drilled in the mornings, and after a lunch break sectionals start. Sectionals is where each group of instruments learn their respective parts of the show.
The halftime show will be familiar, the band will be performing the music of Beethoven. “The opener is Beethoven’s 5th, the second movement is the Sherzo, the third movement is a drum feature to the Pathetique Sonata, and the last movement is Beethoven’s Ode to Joy” according to Lambert.
Carroll has high hopes for his time with Brownwood. “I’d like to go to State in marching.” Spurlock says she is excited to “view marching season from the directors perspective!” This year is special to the Lamberts, as “it is the biggest band we’ve had here in a long time, around 140.” This year also marks the senior year for students who started band as 6th graders during the Lamberts first year in Brownwood.
Drum majors this year are all returning to their positions from last season; Laurel Glass, Tanner Scull, and Brooklyn Bitters. The first game of the season will be at home against 3A Brock on August 31st. Season tickets for home games are on sale for current ticket holders, and open up to non-ticket holders next week at the athletic office. Seats are $24 for the four home games, parking passes are $25.
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