Hometown Clinton - Fall 2017

MARCHING
TO THE TOP:
Clinton High
School Band
Abigail Walker
Whether it’s playing in the stands, marching
during halftime, or performing in a concert
hall, the members of the Clinton High
School Band pour their hearts into their
music. But they are also putting Clinton on the map as a
strong competitor among bands nationwide.
The Clinton High School Band is made up of ninth
through twelfth grade students who must audition for a
spot, as well as try out for individual ranks within each
section. Kevin Welborn, the director of bands for Clinton
Public Schools, says that this year’s band will be the biggest
yet, with 224 members.
The band is active throughout the entire year. During the
fall, the marching band plays at all Clinton home football
games and most of the away games, supporting the team
and rallying the community together. But fall is also the
band’s competitive season, which means they often get
home late from games on Friday nights and wake up early
for competitions on Saturdays.
The Clinton High School Marching Band is a perennial
state finalist—the equivalent of going to the second round
in football playoffs. Welborn says they also hold their own
at some of the larger out-of-state competitions, placing
among 30 to 45 schools. Last year, the marching band made
the finals at the USBands Championships. Clinton High
School has also hosted the state MHSAA band competition
and will again this year.
“We believe competition breeds success,” says Welborn.
“My job is to make sure our students are exposed to as
much as possible and grow from it.”
In the spring, students take part in up to ten different
ensembles. From concert bands and small chamber
ensembles to indoor percussion groups and two winter
guard groups, the band spends most of the second semester
performing in concerts and attending state festivals.
The Clinton bands have multiple state championships
under their belts, but the concert bands are also making a
name for Clinton on the national scale. In 2014, the indoor
percussion group won the WGI World Championships in
Dayton, Ohio—their first year to go to the competition.
This past year, the indoor group made the finals at Worlds
and the winter guard scored higher than they ever had in
their classification at Regionals.
“We are keeping our eyes looking forward,” Welborn says.
“As long as we do our best and get better than the previous
year, we are proud. We are definitely competitive, but it’s
more about us being our best selves.”
The band has marched in the Memorial Day Parade in
Washington D.C. and the Magic Kingdom Parade at Walt
Disney World. Annual spring trips like these give the
Clinton band a chance to showcase their talent to the world
and celebrate a successful year.
“If we are going to ask these students to be their best,”
says Welborn, “we have to make sure to do everything in
24 • Aug/Sept/Oct 2017
Hometown Clinton • 25