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The Band of Gold performed its halftime show, which features the music of The Beatles, during the recent Lumpkin County home football game.
The Lumpkin County High School Band of Gold is riding strong with their creativity and their spirit as they rev up for the new year.
Although the marching band might not be as front and center in people’s minds when they think of sports, band coach D.I. Brunson is determined to change this thinking.
Like most high school sports teams, the marching band took a hit with the pandemic. Many students that were a part of the program either graduated on time or got ahead of their schooling enough to graduate early.
However, many students decided to join due to glowing recommendations from the halls of the high school, so much so, that more than third of the kids are freshman.
This includes Reidan Jackson, who has been part of band in Lumpkin County since sixth grade.
“It’s been good, a tight ship,” she said. “It’s like a family.”
Most of the praise is in no small part to Brunson and his philosophy to “get in-touch and inspire kids while helping them with their schoolwork and problems with life.”
“I think what I’m liking to see most is the work ethic of our young folks,” Brunson explained, “We’re more on the yonger side, but plenty of opportunity for growth. My goal for the band is to continue to build on our sense of patience between the younger and older classmen.”
Brunson said that with much of the group being new, there is the possibility that experienced members could be impatient while the younger members feel they are not up to the task.
“That’s what we’ve been really putting our focus on these past couple of weeks,” Brunson added. “And I feel that we’ve gotten better with that aspect.”
Amelia Kennedy, the bass-section leader who plays bass number 4, has had some experience being in the same boat as the newer classmen, having started in band her freshman year. Now in her senior year, Kennedy is ready to pass her knowledge and wisdom to the younger generation to take the lead.
“It gives me a chance to show off how well the student body works together,” she said. “Because, if you’re not good at cooperating, it’s never going to work. And it gives me the chance to show how determined I am to do something right when I put my mind to it.”
Overall, Brunson said he wants to help his students find who they want to be in life through the marching band.
In addition to playing every football game and homecoming, the Band of Gold will also compete in the Blue Ridge Marching competition on October 8 as well as the Greater Atlanta Marching Festival on October 29.