Thunder, lightning and another medal for Rock Hill High Band of Distinction

By Jason Foster - jfoster@heraldonline.com

“If you make a mistake (now), make it a good one,” Gulledge tells his students. “Better to make it here than out there.”

The band finishes the drills.

“Today is the day we've waited for,” Hicklin tells the troops. “Don't leave anything behind.”

‘Play the right note'

It's Thursday — the last chance to perfect the show on the field with all elements present.

The students are aware of the finality of the day. On the ground at the entrance to the practice field are the words “Last chance” and “Great season.”

The focus of the moment is getting what Gulledge calls “good air” into the instruments. In other words, achieving a powerful sound without being too loud or blaring.

Other bands at the competition may sound more powerful, Gulledge says, but not by much.

“We have to try to out finesse,” he tells his students.

Again, he comes back to making sure the little things are done right. The little things have undone many a marching band at competition.

The rehearsal goes on, and Gulledge sees some recurring problems. Someone out of step here. Poor spacing there. He's clearly frustrated.

“Look at that not straight line,” he shouts down to the field. “We have got to have a straight line. It cannot break like this.”

Filling the role of drill sergeant is part of being a band director. Marching band has a certain military-like quality to it anyway. Just as a football coach will sternly tell a player in front of teammates that he just isn't getting it, a band director will, too. But the students know to take the verbal jabs in stride. It's never anything mean-spirited or overly harsh, just the constructive criticism that helps a band maintain excellence.

“Quit being defensive, and play the right stupid note.

“It's nothing personal. Get over it and do it for the band.”

It's just part of the process. Gulledge cares for his students. One way he lets them know is by often ending criticism with a deadpan, “Love ya, mean it.”

The feeling is mutual.

“He gives us so much inspiration every day to work harder and harder to get to our best — better than our best,” said Jessica Cale, 15, a sophomore. “He's always there to help lead us along the way and encourage us with every step. … We love him for it.”

Good, not great

The slow, silent walk to the field entrance takes a few minutes. Faces show focus and determination. A passing band wishes Rock Hill good luck.

The band takes the field at 3:28 p.m. It gets a good reception from the crowd.

Hicklin gives the downbeat. Off they go. Gulledge watches intently from the sidelines.

The performance seems to be going well.

The theme of this year's show is “Olympus '09.” The premise: Imagine that modern society still revered figures in Greek mythology and acted accordingly. The visuals include references to Greek mythology, but also feature allusions to modern-day devices such as cell phones and shopping bags. The music itself is seemingly unrelated; it's an adaptation of the score to the Disney film “Bolt.”

The final note sounds. The crowd cheers. The band marches off the field. Reactions within the band are mixed. The students gather in groups to discuss the performance. The consensus: It lacked energy and enthusiasm.

“It was good, but it wasn't our best,” said Gregg Prange, 16, a junior alto saxophone player. “I think a lot of people were under the impression that prelims didn't matter for us.”

There was clearly room for improvement.

Later, the band gathers for the preliminary round awards ceremony. Even for the most confident of bands, this part is nerve-wracking. Some band members have their heads down.

The roll call begins: Wando High School, superior. … Boiling Springs High School, superior …