2008 Woodie Awards
Band director's recruiting trips pay off in a larger band, bigger sound
Amanda Woods
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 1
By Amanda Woods
staff reporter
The UTC band has almost doubled over the past four years.
Many attribute the 35 percent growth for the 2006 year alone to an approachable and personable teaching method by the director Stuart Benkert and assistant director Shane Porter
Nicknamed the "11th man" by fans, the band has a reputation of concentrating on fun and the schedule of students.
Porter believes in creating a fun and casual environment to further promote learning and love of the arts.
Porter tries to keep the students' class schedule and workload in mind when planning practices and concerts.
"We don't take advantage of our students," Porter said.
With 157 members, Porter focuses on a mixture of music education and fun without sacrificing quality.
Even with the 35 percent increase, both directors say the band cannot get too big.
They invite anyone with a love of music to join.
Porter said, "If you can play an instrument, read music and love playing, you have a place in the band."
The band provides not only a variety of music and pep rallies, football, basketball and volleyball games, but also an exhibitions at high school competitions, and they even receive offers from city council officials and doctors' offices.
Porter attributes the growth of the band to recruitment. Both directors traveled from northeastern Tennessee to Georgia, visiting high schools and talking up the band.
Incentives to join the band are minimal fees and approachable directors.
According to band members, they notice and appreciate the support of the student body at games.
Columbia, Tenn., junior Eric Thompson comments that the band brings a "social atmosphere to campus."
Memphis sophomore Emily Duggan has yet to see the band perform at the game, but she hears them practicing on campus.
If, like Duggan, students do not attend sporting events, they can still see the band practice on the field across from McKenzie Arena.
"I have heard the band practicing in the afternoons on my way to class and it's encouraging to hear the effort being put into each song," Duggan said.
Murfreesboro, Tenn., freshman Becky Amonett joined the band this year after performing in her high school band.
She calls the UTC band a family that you are easily welcomed into. Not only does the band allow you to get involved in campus, but it is a stress reliever, Amonett said.
"We all come from different schools with different backgrounds," Amonett said. "Once we begin to play, we join our different styles together to play for the crowd."
staff reporter
The UTC band has almost doubled over the past four years.
Many attribute the 35 percent growth for the 2006 year alone to an approachable and personable teaching method by the director Stuart Benkert and assistant director Shane Porter
Nicknamed the "11th man" by fans, the band has a reputation of concentrating on fun and the schedule of students.
Porter believes in creating a fun and casual environment to further promote learning and love of the arts.
Porter tries to keep the students' class schedule and workload in mind when planning practices and concerts.
"We don't take advantage of our students," Porter said.
With 157 members, Porter focuses on a mixture of music education and fun without sacrificing quality.
Even with the 35 percent increase, both directors say the band cannot get too big.
They invite anyone with a love of music to join.
Porter said, "If you can play an instrument, read music and love playing, you have a place in the band."
The band provides not only a variety of music and pep rallies, football, basketball and volleyball games, but also an exhibitions at high school competitions, and they even receive offers from city council officials and doctors' offices.
Porter attributes the growth of the band to recruitment. Both directors traveled from northeastern Tennessee to Georgia, visiting high schools and talking up the band.
Incentives to join the band are minimal fees and approachable directors.
According to band members, they notice and appreciate the support of the student body at games.
Columbia, Tenn., junior Eric Thompson comments that the band brings a "social atmosphere to campus."
Memphis sophomore Emily Duggan has yet to see the band perform at the game, but she hears them practicing on campus.
If, like Duggan, students do not attend sporting events, they can still see the band practice on the field across from McKenzie Arena.
"I have heard the band practicing in the afternoons on my way to class and it's encouraging to hear the effort being put into each song," Duggan said.
Murfreesboro, Tenn., freshman Becky Amonett joined the band this year after performing in her high school band.
She calls the UTC band a family that you are easily welcomed into. Not only does the band allow you to get involved in campus, but it is a stress reliever, Amonett said.
"We all come from different schools with different backgrounds," Amonett said. "Once we begin to play, we join our different styles together to play for the crowd."
