Marching Owls lead the way to music

After learning a new word, E.J. Foster thought it would be appropriate to use it to describe the Seymour High School Marching Owls.

“Outstanding,” the first-grader said. “No, super-outstanding, that’s what I think.”

The marching band treated Foster and his classmates at Emerson Elementary School to a brief but fun and enthusiastic concert Friday afternoon on the school’s playground as part of the band’s tour of local schools.

“This is our ninth performance of the day,” band director Kevin Cottrill told students. “We are so happy to be able to perform for you and hope you enjoy the show.”

Cottrill said the visit is a way to get younger students excited about music and encourage them to sign up for band or choir when they get to sixth grade.

Before the school year is over, fifth-graders will get an opportunity to look at instruments and decide if they would like to be in the middle school band.

“One of the saddest things for us is when you don’t take a music class in middle school or high school,” he told the elementary students. “Obviously, we are here to promote the band, but whether it’s band or choir, we hope you get involved.”

Many of the band members proudly raised their hands when Cottrill asked how many of them attended Emerson when they were in elementary school.

Students and faculty showed their support by clapping, singing, jumping and dancing to the music, which included the high school fight song and a variety of popular music.

Six-year-old Mallory Moore had no trouble picking out her favorite tune.

“‘I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,’” she said after singing and dancing to the Joan Jett ’70s classic.

Although she’s little now and it would be hard to carry an instrument, Moore said she would like to play the drums someday.

“I want to play the big drums, the ones that sit on the ground, not the ones you carry,” she said.

First-grader Trey Morris watched the trombone players closely and mimicked their actions, pretending he, too, was playing.

“I can do it,” he said.

Hgerian Fields stopped by the school to pick up her daughter and watch her son, freshman Kaelan Brennan, play in the band.

“He plays alto sax and oboe,” she said. “Every time I see him play, I get tears in my eyes because I’m just so proud of him.”

After the performance, Madison Cowins, 6, Ivy Brown, 7, and Loghan Daviner, 6, sat in the cafeteria and discussed what they thought about the band.

“They are way cool,” Daviner said. “I want to be in the marching band, too, because I like the music.”

Cowins and Brown said they had heard the band play before at Girls Inc.

“I want to play the drums because it would be fun,” Brown said.

“We know some girls in the band and we’re going to take their place when we get older,” Cowins added.

Emerson Principal Talmadge Reasoner said he was glad the band stopped by.

“They are just fantastic and good role models for our kids,” he said.