The Tyrone Golden Eagle Marching Band Prepares For Another Competition Season

By Derek Wilson, Staff Writer|September 11, 2017

Piccolo+Players+Liz+Brown+and+Becca+White+and+Trumpet+Players+Curtis+Brenneman+and+Derek+Wilson

Zack Webster

Piccolo Players Liz Brown and Becca White and Trumpet Players Curtis Brenneman and Derek Wilson

The sound of music is filling the air under the Friday night lights and Saturday competitions. The Tyrone Area High School Marching Band season is in full swing.  

This year’s show is entitled “Journey Of Man.” Tyrone Band Director David Hock is excited for the show.

“Each year I try to choose music with which the students will feel connected and will enjoy. I have always enjoyed the music of Cirque Du Soleil and the music from their production of “Journey of Man” is especially engaging. I felt this was the right year to try this music and the students are really enjoying it and performing it well” said Hock.

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So far we are having a very good season. Our first competition is September 16th. I believe we are going to do well this year.

— Mr. David Hock

“So far we are having a very good season. Our first competition is September 16th. I believe we are going to do well this year. As with every season, I hope the students continue to grow and learn throughout the course of the season and perform their absolute best by the end of the season. I also hope to see the students finish near the top this year. Ending the season in an even higher placement than last year would be a great reward.” said Hock.

Tyrone will compete in group 1A of Chapter 11 again this season with Juniata Valley High School, Mount Union High School, Westmont Hilltop High School, Elk County Catholic High School, Windber Area High School, and Somerset High School.

In the Tournament Of Bands competition grouping there are a total of four groups for the competition season. Each group is based on the band’s overall size. In group 1A, a band must have no more than 30 musicians and a maximum of 30 color guard members. For a band in group 2A, the band will have between 31-50 musicians and a maximum of 50 color guard members. For group 3A, a band will have up to 51-75 musicians and a maximum of 75 color guard members. For a group 4A band, the band will have 76 or more band members and color guard members.

The Tyrone Golden Eagle Marching Band will perform Journey of Man part 1 as the opener, the ballad this year is Reve Rouge, the “Death ”section is the Funeral March, and the closer is Journey of Man Part 3.  

The band’s first performance will be at St.Mary’s High School on Saturday, September 16 at 6:00 pm.    

The competition schedule is as follows:

  • St. Mary’s High School – Saturday, September 16
  • Juniata Valley High School  – Saturday, September 23
  • Mechanicsburg High School  – Saturday, September 30  
  • Music in the Valley Home Show at Gray Field – Saturday, October 7
  • Greater Johnstown High School – Saturday, October 14
  • Chapter 11 Championships at Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Saturday, October 21
  • Atlantic Coast Championships at Central Dauphin High School- Saturday, October 28

Most important to local fans is that Tyrone’s 2017 home show on October 7th at Gray Field. The show will begin at 4:00 pm. Currently there are twelve bands registered for the competition. This year, the St. Francis University Marching Band will be Performing at the Music In The Valley show. The band will perform after the Tyrone band. 

Tyrone will perform, but as the host the show, they will not be competing for awards at the show.

The section leaders for the 2017-2018 Tyrone Marching Band are: Trumpet Section Leader is Senior Derek Wilson. Saxophone Section Leader is Senior Rachel Robinson. The Drum Majors are Senior Rebekah Schleppy and Junior Ethan White. The Tyrone Golden Eagle Marching Band is under the direction of Mr. David Hock. Percussion instructor is Jake Morningstar.