RMS Band Marches into the School Year with Sure Steps
ROME, GA— The close of summer break brings with it the excitement of new beginnings, and the educators and members of the Rome Middle School (RMS) Band have been working hard ahead of the first day of school during band camp.
For the last week, and with growing confidence, the sounds of instruments coming together in song could be heard in the music room and on the practice field each day.
Corey Newton (associate band director for the eighth-grade class) and Ben Williams (associate band director for the seventh-grade class) cited one of the most exciting things about the week was that the program’s band boosters committed to almost $10,000 to pay for instructors to work with the kids.
He explained that when band students from six different elementary schools combine, it can be a challenge to create harmony in their program. “Our elementary programs are like six different kingdoms. So, when we come together in seventh grade, we have to work to bring all of our lessons together. With so many instructors available to help, we can do that effectively,” said Newton.
Students spent the week preparing for two of the band’s biggest performances—the 2022 Homecoming Halftime Show and Peach State Marching Festival. Newton gushed about the students’ behavior, investment, and commitment to an intense week of practice and preparation, and he spoke of how impressed he and the other instructors have been that there have been no complaints or pushback despite what they are doing is very difficult.
“We are all bouncing back from a really challenging time during the COVID-19 pandemic. I think all our programs took a little hit because of the separation from our routine. Now, we are seeing that our students are ready to try anything we ask of them,” he said. “It’s impressive and inspiring. Our kids have been amazing.”
In addition to their two major marching performances, RMS Band students will spend time this year preparing for a Christmas concert, as well as individual auditions for District Honor Band and All-State. Newton points out that there is more to band than big performances. He hopes to deepen their knowledge and help grow whole musicians who will continue their band careers in high school with a list of skills and a passion for what they do.
With the support of the Band Boosters, family and friends, and a director with a clear vision of the bigger picture, these budding musicians are well on their way.
RMS parents were offered the opportunity to see what their children were learning during a special preview show hosted at the school. All gathered in the gymnasium where students played music they were learning during the week-long camp.
“We are trying to raise the bar. We have a goal of getting them to the high school with a deeper knowledge of our program, Newton said with a smile. “We want them to not just be invested in marching band. We want them to practice being a whole musician. I have watched some of our students grow from learning the basics in sixth grade to now marching and playing on the field. It really gives us pride in our schools when we see the growth of our students.”
Go Wolves!
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