Separation Anxiety
Imagine, if you will, a unit of students who have been together for an entire season.
Imagine the bonds formed on those late night practices and on the many functions which
they take part in. Imagine the MHHS band.
I always thought of the band as a group of students, musically talented, that got out
on the field, made designs and put out sound. I never truly understood the feeling of
belonging and acceptance until I became a band ninja - you know, the little people in
black? I was shown that even junior high students have a place in our little family we
call band. Together, we have all grown and blossomed. We have built bonds that will last
us forever. We have learned about life and who we want to be - perhaps the best gift band
has ever given.
Our band director and mentor, Robert Nelson, once told us that the old saying "if
life gives you a lemon, make lemonade," was wrong. He said that if we didn't want
lemonade, we should spit out the lemon and take what we really wanted. If we want an
award, then we must work for it, not just take what someone hands us. Mr. Nelson also gave
us a sense of pride. Whenever you see a band student, out of uniform or in uniform, you
can always see a difference. Band members always walk with their heads up and their hearts
singing. Band members will not let others down and will always work towards a common goal.
Mr. Nelson gave us the best thing anyone has ever given: a family.
Whenever the band takes the field, we all strive to do one thing - make Mr. Nelson
smile with pride. We know we can pay him back for all of his years of service and hard
work, along with all his care (yelling), in only one way - through our music. He once said
that music is more than just notes on a page; music is the voice of the soul. When music
affects you, you react. And musically, we strive to make Mr. Nelson react. Sometimes, he
yells. But, on a rare occasion, he smiles so brightly that the band could march for two or
three more hours.
At the Siloam Springs contest, my high school marching career reached its culmination.
My sophomore year, we went to a marching competition in Carthage, MO, and we came in
eighth - last place. We hit the field that following week, under some outstanding
leadership from the seniors of '96, and each of us strove to improve our small part of the
show. We traveled to Siloam Springs that following weekend. Our band took the first place
trophy. My junior year, we went to Siloam, and took a distant third place finish. We came
off the field last year, knowing that it was not what we wanted to happen this year. So,
August rolled around and so did band practices on the parking lot. I am proud to say, with
just a bit of a smile, that the band came into the parking lot as a disorganized group of
high school students, and left the field at Siloam this year as a fully functional family,
complete with a leading force whom we could all depend on. I can never fully describe the
feeling of victory we got, but I know that I will take it with me to my grave, and that I
will always look back on this band and say, "That was my family." The victory
was great and the look on our three band directors' faces was well worth all the time,
sweat and tears that went into our show. And when Mr. Nelson told us that we were going to
play our best, and most emotional song as the other bands marched out, the tears of joy
and triumph flooded from many of us. I will always remember how we stood there, unified
and strong, and played the best we have ever played, knowing that we were there, and that
we had accomplished our goal - we were one.
The only thing left to say is thank you. My thanks go out to the teachers who have
given up class time so that band students could go to the many different activities we
were scheduled for. Special thanks go out to the administration for allowing us to do all
that we do. Loving thanks go to all the parents and band booster members that have
traveled with us, and have cheered for us. A tender thanks go out to all the little people
in black. You are the backbone of our show, and without you, the show would not have been
as tremendous as it was. Heartfelt thanks go out to our three band directors - Mr. Bill
Maxwell, Mrs. Michelle Goode, and, of course, Mr. Robert Nelson. Without you, our band
would have been empty and lonely. And my last thanks go out to all the juniors and
sophomores in our family. This thanks is from the entire senior class. We could not have
been anything without you around. We love all of you, and we know that you will continue
to shine. You have been a bright spot in our lives. We will miss you.
Oh, I almost forgot. I found out something very important at Siloam. Our band doesn't
much like lemonade.
- With love and pride,
Randy Snyder
Dear Fellow Band Members Or Whoever Decides To Read This,
I always remember thinking that I wasn't going to be in band because I didn't think I
was good enough. I thought everyone was going to hate me for not being good enough and
dragging everyone down. But all my friends were going to be in it so I thought I would
give it a try. Well here I am three years later and I can't begin to think what might have
possessed me to think that way. I could have been the worst player in the band and nobody
would have cared as long as I tried my best. Once about a year ago, I was on the verge of
quitting band. I don't even remember why. I stayed in because someone I hardly knew;
someone I dared not talk to because she was older and I didn't think she would even want
to be seen talking to someone younger. I found out she was in band because she's kinda
loud. Well, one day she started talking to me on the bus. We became friends. She convinced
me to stay in band, with stories about all the fun she's had with band. I asked her why
she had even wanted to help me. I just kinda got a weird look.....Then I realized
something, and it made me stop and think. It doesn't matter how old you are, we are all
part of the band and we help each other out, regardless of age. If you are in a band,
remember this. Don't ever be afraid to ask someone older (or younger) to help you if you
need it. Whether it be something small, like a fingering, or something big, like reason to
stay in band, like me.
(Thank you Elizabeth...As long as I live I don't think I will ever forget you)
Sincerely Yours Truly With Love,
Katie Miller...(MHJH Band)
Together Forever
When I first became a band member, I never imagined how it would change my life. The
band has become my second family. We've been through so much together. Happiness, sorrow,
and the hard work that was required to become what we are. The word "proud"
doesn't even come close to explaining how I feel about being part of the Mountain Home
High School Band. I've never been part of something so special before. Band is what makes
me happy and keeps me smiling on days when life is hard. Knowing that there is a group of
people united together that care so much about one another gives you the most wonderful
feeling...especially when you are part of that union and you know that they care about you
too. It doesn't matter how young or how old you are...what you look like, or who you
are...we are all a family. Not because we have to be...but because we choose to be. No
matter what, we will ALWAYS be a family. When the seniors move out and go to live the rest
of their lives, they are still a part of this family we call band. Those who move away, or
are sadly diminished from being part of the everyday meetings of the band have not lost
their family. They will always be part of the union.
I just want to say that I dedicate this page, to my family, the Mountain Home High
School Band. I will never forget you all. Thank you for the happy times and all the
memories. I will treasure them forever in my heart.
Love always and forever,
Nichole (Nickie) Wedge
Class of 2000
Band: A Lesson Not Just on Music, But on Life
I will never forget that day, just about four years ago when I was in the fifth grade.
I brought home that little slip of paper titled "Band Sign-up Sheet." I
couldn’t decide whether or not I wanted to sign up for Band. Questions kept popping
up in my head, like "Will I have enough time? What instrument will I play? Will the
scary stories about Mr. Nelson come true?" Though I didn't realize this then, signing
up for Band was one of the biggest and most important decisions of my life. All along I've
wondered "What would it be like if I wasn't in Band?" Without music, my life
would be dull, empty, and I think my emotions would be incomplete. I wouldn't have a real
sense of what family and accomplishment is all about. I would never had experienced the
wonderful feeling of achievement when I made All-Region Band for the first time. And I
would probably not have some of the great friends that I have right now. One thing
I’ll always remember is that if I’m not being accepted anywhere else...I know
one place where I’ll always be accepted - Band. Band models children into fine young
adults and teaches respect, hard work, and discipline. I feel it could be a valuable asset
in anyone’s life. Until being a ninja for the High School Band, I never really knew
what it felt like to be needed by a group of people. Now I know. Now I know that even the
little people in black are accepted into the High School Band family. I’ll never
forget the night of November 1, 1998, when the High School Band left Siloam Springs titled
Grand Champions. They played "The Fire of Eternal Glory" as the other bands left
the field. Tears rolled down everyone’s cheeks, even ours, the little people in
black. At that point I knew for sure and more than ever that we were all one big family, a
family that worked together, cried together, and froze and sweated together. That family
is called Band, and I am very proud to be a part of it.
-- Justin Porter --
Rush
There are just some feelings that just can't be explained unless you have experienced
it.
Like when you walk off a bus and march onto the field and hear the announcer announce
your band. Then you hear the crowd cheer.
Or the rush of adrenaline that you get when the announcer announces that your band is
the best band of all. And the happiness that you feel all over when your band director
tells you that he's proud of you and that you have done a good job.
And the feeling that you get when you know that you have given the seniors the feeling
of accomplishment and you let them know that they can be proud to be part of the MHHS
band.
When you just want to reach over and give your best friend the biggest hug ever and
begin to cry because you know that you've done your best and have proven it to all the
other bands there.
Most of these feelings you haven't experienced unless you're in band, but then you know
just what I'm talking about. These are the best feelings you can experience in the world.
And not easy to compare to many other things in the world.
Seniors
Seniors are the ones who understand what it's like to need a helping hand.
Seniors are the ones who will pick you up and help you along even though you're stuck.
Seniors are the ones who care the most when something happens and they hope you're not
broke.
Seniors are the ones who will lead you by the hand and show you what there is to
understand.
Now the seniors will leave and you'll miss them a lot and hope they don't make you run
the parking-lot (Angie).
When the seniors move on and you're left all alone you remember the good times you all
once owned. But now they leave and you cry because you love them all.
And when the band marches onto the field for the very last time the seniors will hear
it played. Because you do the best that you can do because that night is their night.
So to the seniors that have come and gone and to those who are still here among. We
envy you greatly and may this be the year of great fun and memories.
-Shandale St.Clair-
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