By:  Lamesha Green (Whetstone Writing Staff)

 

They’re bringing a new sound to the Wesley community.

The marching band, a new elective offered this semester at Wesley, invites students to join a musical-filled environment ready to entertain the crowd at Wesley events.

”My plan is to start a great tradition here at Wesley,” said Brian Cass, an adjunct professor who directs the marching band. “Our main goals are to play well, entertain the crowd, and show off the color guard.”

Although this is his first year teaching the marching band at Wesley, Cass is no rookie when it comes to music.

“I have about 25 years in band to offer my students,” he said. “I started playing the sax in the fourth grade and then marched tuba in high school and college.”

Cass earned a B.A. degree in the arts in music education, and is pursuing his M.A. in music education at Boston University.

The marching band quickly caught the attention of most students.

”I decided to join because I have previous experience with music from being in a band in high school,” said Senior Shanna Bryant. “It really was a fun extra activity and I am looking forward to seeing what the band has to showcase and Wesley embracing people’s musical talents.”

Cass wants to put on a great show.

“About 25 students have signed up for the course,” he said. “I am very excited and looking forward to constructing a great semester and eventually will have something put together for our first performance.”

Students are excited to see what the future outcome of the Wesley marching band holds.

“The marching band is something new on campus other students as well as myself can get involved with,” said sophomore Rebecca Tham. “It would be cool to see it grow.”

Tham also said she interested in color guard.

“Although I don’t know how to play an instrument, I still wanted to be a part of the marching band since I love music,” she said. “So I decided, why not join color guard.”

Other students want to wow the crowd by bringing live entertainment to the football games.

“I used to play drums in a band when I was younger and what I loved most was how the crowd would react to the band’s performance, especially the drum line,” said sophomore Cameron Chaffin. “Now that Wesley is offering a marching band this year, I am willing to contribute my talent to making a good outcome, better yet performances the Wesley community will never forget.”

Freshman Damyra Price also can’t wait to show off the color guard routines at the football games during their half time performance.

“I liked being a color guard during my senior year of high school and I just wanted to continue it during college,” she said. “I am looking forward to performing at the football games but I really can’t wait till our homecoming performance.”

The Wesley marching band will perform Sept. 15 for the first time during half time at the home football game.