By Amy Augustine
The mood in Thomas Guenther’s high school band classroom was decidedly upbeat for first period on Monday. Flutes whistled, trombones bayed, and saxophones buzzed as students chatted and giggled between songs.
With three weeks before the Kingston High School band sets off for Washington, D.C., to play a set on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, there were some nerves, too, but mostly excitement for the opportunity to play at an iconic American landmark. The 27 band members, a mix of freshmen through seniors, will be joined by 10 chaperones on the trip – which will include plenty of time for sightseeing and even a trip to Six Flags America in nearby Maryland.
“Having the opportunity to do what I love and play on a historical site is really exciting,” said flutist Lyndsey Mooth, a freshman. “The music is challenging; it will push us to become better musicians.” The class will play a largely patriotic, all-American set, including the “Star Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and several other works from John Philip Sousa, with a bit of George Gershwin sprinkled in, Guenther said.
“These are not easy marches,” Guenther encouraged the students after introducing a new song in class that challenged the group. “They will definitely push us. Let’s keep the march mojo going.” This is not the first time Guenther, who has worked as director of bands and choir for three years at Kingston High, has led excursions for his students.
The Kingston High School band played at various college campuses in San Francisco two years ago, as well as performances in Pullman and Spokane last year. “We try to do something every year,” said Guenther, a Kent High School graduate who said he was inspired by similar musical voyages he took as a high-schooler. “These trips greatly enriched my musical experience. I hope to recreate that experience for my students as well.”
The band raised nearly $5,500 through fundraisers to offset the cost of the trip. They sold donuts and popcorn, and flipped pancakes. The trip, arranged through a tour group company, cost around $1,200 per student. “Mainly the seniors decided that they wanted to do the big D.C. trip. We went through a big process to decide in the fall,” Guenther said. “We figured out exactly how financially feasible our options were and decided that the kids were motivated enough to fundraise for D.C.” Between Guenther’s classes, there are enough students to make up two full concert bands at the school. And while not all students can attend the trip, the makeup of instruments and skill level of the students who can go is relatively balanced. “Ultimately we can make this work,” he said. “We have enough really solid core of players that will make us sound great.”
Besides playing at the Lincoln Memorial freshman Curtis Upton, a clarinet player, was excited to check out the International Spy Museum. He said he wasn’t nervous about the performance. “It’s too early to tell. Maybe that will change when we get there,” he said. “I know we’ll go out and play well. It’s going to be pretty cool.”
Guenther hopes to live stream the performance at facebook.com/BuccaneerMusic/ for students and families who can’t make it. The band is slated to play on Friday, April 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. EST.
