At Monday’s lunchtime Lions Club meeting, Hope Public Schools Band Director Chris Davis spoke about the state of the band program, offering hints of what can be expected in the fall and introducing three members of the high school band who came to the meeting as guests. 

Introduced by Lion Steve Montgomery who said “I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but you guys know how important the arts are for our school system, and I hope that we all continue to support those endeavors whether it's drama, choir or band.” 

Davis began by listing the schools that participate in the band program, including Hope Academy of Public Service, Beryl Henry Elementary, Yerger Middle School and Hope High School. Then he introduced Bryan Silva, recently hired as assistant band director, who has contributed his efforts to the band program in the past. “He’s actually been working with us a couple years now,” Davis said. “He was a guard tech. If you didn’t notice, we went and did something called Winter Guard. It’s a circuit in Winter Guard International. We actually got state champions last year. They kicked us out of our class because we were too good, then we still won the championship in the next class up.” 

Davis noted that a junior high guard corps also excelled at the contest. “They were gold medalists at state as well. So that was really impressive.” 

About 93 students are in the high school band, Davis said. The band will also have multiple drum majors. “As marching band has evolved over the last few decades, the demands out of the kids has just doubled and tripled. The kids are running around in circles. Now they're going from the 25 to the 25 [yard lines] in 10 seconds so many times throughout the show. Sometimes they even turn around so they can’t watch the drum major.”  Hence the reason for multiple drum majors this year, Davis said. 

Further describing what audiences can expect this year, Davis said “It's like Broadway on the field. And if you're a Broadway fan, which I hope you are, if not, you should be, it's awesome. It's one of those arts.” 

He also said this year’s theme is Juno. “You may have seen pictures of peacocks around, but it's about expressing inner beauty, not comparing yourselves to other people around. You don't see something that's not there. You're already beautiful. You don't have to change a thing about yourself.” 

A new sound system with new microphones should result in higher scores at marching band contests, Davis said. Referring to state contest results from last year, he said a malfunctioning mic caused  Joelys Lopez’ flute solo not to be heard.  “We should have been third or fourth but got sixth because it happened. That's how life works.” 

Commenting on the band this year, Silva said, “I've worked with many programs around the state, Arkadelphia, Malvern, Gurdon, Lake, Hamilton, and I've never seen such dedication and work ethic at a school like this, ever. And I'm so excited to work here at a program that is hungry for success.” 

The band will put on a special preview performance at Hammons Stadium Thursday at 4:00 p.m, Davis said. Volunteers for band booster activities are also, he said, always welcome.

Also taking place at the meeting was local attorney Bryce Montgomery’s induction into the Lions Club.