George Washington High School Band

History of the Marching Eagles as a Competitive Band

            Although George Washington High School has had a marching band for many years, the band has not been competitive quite that long. The Marching Eagles were transformed from a parade and football halftime show band to one that competed against other bands around the Commonwealth starting in the 1975-76 school year. Newly-hired [in August ‘74] band director Thomas Huhn reorganized the Marching Eagles and took them to their first competitions in the 1975 fall season.

            Even though they didn’t win many awards during the first year or so, they eventually established a reputation as a strongly competitive band. As the years passed, however, things only improved and the band’s reputation grew as it defeated established champions in contests throughout Virginia and the Carolinas.

            Between 1975 and 1984, the Marching Eagles went to Richmond every year to compete in the Virginia State Fair Marching Band Competition (perhaps the only contest they entered that regularly). Their first appearance at the Richmond competition earned them a 4^th place finish, setting the tone for the rest of their appearances there. The Marching Eagles never placed below 4^th (out of an average of over 30 bands a year) in Richmond and even placed 1^st twice [in 1976 and 1979].

            The Marching Eagles may not have won 1^st place as often as some of their counterparts from other area schools, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Five days a week from August through November, they practiced at school for at least 4 hours a day [half before school and half after]. During their August band camps, they practiced 6-8 hours a day. Every year, for up to a few days before band competitions, they would put in longer practice days – sometimes working as late as 10 o’clock – and would put in plenty of Saturday hours for dress rehearsals. Needless to say, the band members – like anyone else learning something new – also put in countless hours of practice away from school.

            One situation has become evident over the years, however. While the band members practice at school, they might daydream and not give their best efforts. They might not follow orders properly and consequently earn some kind of punishment. When they put on their uniforms and perform, though, they become totally focused on their performances. Their movements are sharp, their music is crisp and clear, and they are well disciplined [better disciplined, in some instances, than some of the bands they compete against]. After bands have performed at competitions and everybody is waiting for results to be announced, some bands – especially if the schools are regular rivals – engage in the kind of noise-making you’d find at pep rallies. Each band tries to out-cheer the others about which band is best, or which class [freshman, etc.] is best. The Marching Eagles – either in street clothes or uniforms [depending on how recently they performed] – simply stand or sit quietly, waiting for the results to be announced. Many times, when another band wins an award, the Marching Eagles will give them a silent, dignified salute – rising from their seats, standing quietly during the presentation and then sitting down again. When the Marching Eagles win awards, the band stands tall and proud – controlling their emotions as the drum majors or section leaders accept whatever award(s) the band has won. All throughout the stadium, however, many of the other bands just can’t make enough noise when their bands win anything. One year in the late ‘70s, for example, members of one band ran out onto the field to celebrate in the midst of the presentations – disrupting the awards presentations and resulting in police barricading access to the field to present further disruptions.

            The Marching Eagles, on the other hand, restrain themselves exceptionally well. They march proudly as they leave every stadium – heads held high regardless of the results. When they win first place – or better still, grand champion – they contain themselves only long enough to march back to their busses. At the busses, the director praises them for a job well done and, on occasion, announces especially outstanding scores they earned. He then releases the group and that’s when they start celebrating – as they pack up their uniforms and instruments for the return trip to Danville.