While fall sports programs are still waiting to hear a decision from the KHSAA, another governing body in Kentucky made the call last week to cancel its state championships.
The Kentucky Music Educators Administration, or KMEA, decided to cancel the marching band state championships this year — but that doesn’t mean the music stops for area bands.
Karen Alward is in a new position for Daviess County Public Schools, as she’s now the fine and performing arts coordinator.
Alward said it’s important to realize the KHSAA and KMEA are different entities, which means they have different rules they have to follow.
Currently, one of those rules is the KHSAA has a cap on the number of hours an athlete can practice per week. The KMEA has no such rule in place.
“KHSAA says six (hours) and KMEA has never limited the number of practice hours on any of its organizations,” she said. “Until the NFHS and KMEA ‘Guidance For a Return to High School Marching Band’ changes, bands in Kentucky can still operate under those guidelines.
“Just because our state championship is canceled, it doesn’t mean that marching band instruction and activities cannot move forward. Each band program will make decisions that fit their curriculum and organizational goals. But eventually, we will produce a performance product that can be shared with the public and each other.”
Apollo High School Director of Band Drew Tucker said while they won’t compete, they still have other things they can do.
“We will still have a marching band however, and we will plan to perform at home football games, parades and other community events that are allowed and available for us,” he said.
Owensboro High School Director of Band Abe Barr echoed the sentiment of Tucker. He said they already had a plan in place but said the KMEA made the right decision.
“I announced to our parents and students last month that we would try to field a non-competitive marching band this fall,” he said. “We have delayed the start of our band camp until mid-August and plan to meet with the students in small groups.”
Alward said just because there are no state championships, their goal doesn’t end. It just gets tweaked a little bit.
“As a school community, our goal is to remain connected, involved, skillful and keep our sense of community and belonging in spite of isolation,” she said. “We will proceed effectively, although altered, in any platform allowed by our guidelines. We cannot give up on our art, our kids, and our community.
“So if it is all virtual, then it will be the most amazing display of musical and marching prowess that we can muster. The arts and athletics both speak to the heart of a community, they are the training grounds for our future. We are a team.”
Alward, along with Tucker and Barr, each have the same mindset going forward.
“The ultimate goal of our program is to provide memorable and life-changing experiences through music and hopefully we can get back to that soon,” Tucker said.
Barr said they have big goals this season, as they’ve written a collegiate-style show with music from The Beatles.
“This is going to be a challenging year for students, but it’s our responsibility, as the adults in their lives, to provide them with the encouragement to make the most out of this situation,” he said.
Alward is no stranger to the world of athletics and the KHSAA, as she has multiple coaches in her family tree, but she said the members of a band share the same pride on the sideline as those on the field.
“In the performing arts, we work ceaseless hours, not for a trophy, but for our art form and to share in creativity and aesthetic beauty,” she said. “Every time you get together to make music, you win. For a musician, marching band isn’t about winning. It’s about growth, musicianship, connection, remaining involved, developing technical skills and discipline, and maintaining a sense of community and belonging for our students.
“As the daughter of a musician and an athlete, and a dancer, musician and athlete myself, I know how both sports and music share a set of values and benefits for kids. Our school communities, coaches, and players (band and athletics) share a common bond and benefit.”
