Band of Stars present vs. Band of Stars past…

OK, I thought I had addressed the South Gwinnett Band of Stars issue in the last blog, but two recent things have popped up to make me want to address the topic again.  First, a recent Facebook question from a former neighbor and fellow Band of Stars member, Melanie Brown, about the South Gwinnett Wikipedia page came to light.  Second, a recent video post by another former Band of Stars member, Kristi (Moon) Ash, showing the Band of Stars marching at the Snellville Days Parade.

First, addressing the Wikipedia page…  This is directly from South Gwinnett’s Wikipedia page concerning the Marching Band (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Gwinnett_High_School):  “The long-time marching band of over twenty years is known as the South Gwinnett ‘Band of Stars’. Band director Dr. Arvold handed the band down to Erik Mason who led it to win several competitions. Mason, after four years moved to Mill Creek High School and the head passed on to William Owens. Only a short time had passed when Owens was offered a position in the new opening school of Mountain View High. Currently, Jimmie McKinley now heads the band program with his new slogan ‘Sound. Style. Sophistication.’” 

Interesting that history of the Band of Stars began with David Arvold, don’t some of you think?  Here’s a little history lesson about Dr. Arvold’s BOS… In the first year he was Band Director (1993), the South Gwinnett Comets made the State Championship Football Game.  I was at that game and saw the Band of Stars perform at Halftime.  I remembered a couple of things about that performance:  First, there was no Drill Team separate from the Flag Corps at that performance.  What happened?  Second, the Band was more static than its predecessors.  In short, let’s just say the Band of Stars from 1988 would have wiped the floor (marching and playing wise) with their 1993 successors.  And yet, history ignores the directors who proceeded Dr. Arvold, most notably Lavender and Nettleton.

Which leads me to the video Kristi shot at the Snellville Days Parade.  It’s clear the fight song has changed (it’s no longer “Are you from Dixie”, which makes sense).  But also what is clear is that this group is smaller and has a lot more of the Florida A&M style to it.  First impression of marching and playing is not good of this group.  I hope Mr. McKinley is just having a down year and that the Band will be back next year.  In my day, the Snellville Middle School Band would have out-marched and out-played this group.  The Band needs to step their game up in the future.

Maybe it’s time to write the complete Band of Stars story.  I guarantee you, none of today’s members know just how many awards the Band has run over the years.  Many of us can help fill in the blanks…