Anabelle Tokash is PortageLife.com's #1StudentNWI representative at Portage High School. For her first story, Anabelle wrote about the Pride of Portage marching band and their Genghis Kahn-inspired routine. Ideas in Motion Media is looking to hire one student at every school in Northwest Indiana to share the good news at their school. Click here for a full description of the position. If interested, send an introductory email to share@nwindianalife.com.
When you think of marching band, the image you imagine may not be wholly accurate. There is no stereotype for marching band, no one size fits all. In fact, the Pride of Portage Marching Band is blessed with a friendly and diverse “family” of students on their way to major success.
This year’s marching band has roughly 100 students of all different types participating in the show. Of these partaking members, there are many different music styles and talents being utilized with these diverse participants: rock musicians, band students, dancers and members of the high school orchestra are all involved in the program. Pride of Portage also recruits band players from the middle school to take part as well. The program has become so large that it has not only one or two, but four talented directors: William Timmerman, Drew Rhoda, Ann Rhoda and Chad Brinkman.
In the midst of August, this year’s marching band season began with band camp. This two-week endeavor is when students receive/practice their music, formations, and physical training. This year’s show is titled 'Legends of the East.' Legends is a compilation of pieces of music based off the trials and tribulations of Asian leader Genghis Khan.
This musical tribute focuses upon Khan’s quest to unite the Mongol tribes and the strife that accompanies that goal. The music has an interestingly foreign and powerful flair. If you are aware of the history that includes Genghis Khan, you know that he was a formidable man of great prowess. Not only was he intimidating, but he was a man who accomplished a great deal through this power. The score infuses different sounds such as Chinese opera gongs, china symbols, and other sampled traditional Asian instruments.
With this great set of music comes the opportunity to improve upon the previous scores and accomplishments of last year’s marching season. Last year Pride of Portage went to the scholastic class state finals in Indianapolis and received a high distinction award. Portage High School participates in the scholastic class marching band in the large section. The large section is for schools over 1,000 students with a band size of under 125. In this division, the band competes against schools such as Merriville, Chesterton and La Porte.
They go to two warm-up invitationals, one in Elkhart and another in South Bend. After that, there is a preliminary competition, where the band performs their set in front of a small group of skilled judges. If they score high enough, they proceed to the Indianapolis state finals. In the state finals, Portage competes against the best bands in their class. This is the end of their season, happening in the beginning of November. The directors hope for a year with improved scores. A positivity about this upcoming season seems to be in the air around the band room.
This positivity comes from more than just a hopefulness for the future. It comes from a general loving environment. The band directors in Portage strive to make the band room a home for many students in the program. Directors and students in leadership positions encourage everyone to believe in one another and treat one another with kindness and respect. They stress to “not only want to do it (a good performance) for you, but want to do it for the person next to you.”
“We believe here as a band staff that if you want to be great, you are going to be good, but if you want the person next to you to be as good as you are, you are going to be great,” said director Drew Rhoda.
The kindness and hope found in the marching band does not stop there. Directors praise not only the fantastic students they are blessed with, but the supportive parents and staff. Almost every person that you approach about marching band speaks of how lucky they are to be a part of such an amazing and caring family of musicians.
The Pride of Portage Marching Band has a bright season in front of them this year. Their program is extremely valuable and inspiring to young students. The marching band is worth watching, and they will continue to exceed our expectations.