Mt. Hope Musicians Gear Up For School Year's 'Big' Events

The sound of drums, trumpets, flutes and clarinets drifted upon the morning breezes at Mt. Hope High School a few weeks ago as members, both new and old, of the school's marching band practiced their tunes for the start of the new school year.

The Marching Band performs at all school football games and dances, as well as the Eastern States Exposition, coming up in September. This doesn't leave much time for newcomers to learn the music and routines, which is why summer band camp is so important.

Diane Davis is in her 31^st year of volunteering with Mt. Hope's Marching Band. She began as a parent volunteer, but is now a grandparent volunteer – her granddaughter Gabrielle Davis is the section leader of the color guard.

Davis, along with other volunteers, spent a week before the start of school at band camp helping the band members. The parent (and grandparent) volunteers were switching out the summer uniforms for winter ones, while the students practiced their tunes, marching, and dance routines.

“The freshmen need to learn the music, and they need to learn how to march,” Davis said.

Davis explained that The Big E, an event planned for September 20, is a big deal for the Marching Band, with the kids being excused from class in order to attend on Rhode Island Day.

“The fair is definitely a learning experience for the kids,” said Davis. “They get to see the sights, then perform in front of the Rhode Island building, before going in formation to do the parade around the fairground.”

Indeed, The Big E is such a big deal for the kids, that the Bristol Recreation Department charters a bus every year to take interested people to see them at the fair that is held in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

Sarah Klein, Assistant Director of the Recreation Department, said the bus sells out pretty quickly. At $35 a ticket, which includes round-trip motorcoach transportation as well as the entry fee to the exposition (normally $15 for individuals), the tickets are a great deal.

Klein said it's always a treat to see the Mt. Hope High School Marching Band at The Big E.

“They always make us proud,” Klein said. “They always look so great, and they do so well.”

Klein said there are still some tickets available, and anyone interested in joining the bus trip which will leave at 8:30 am on Sept. 20 and return at 6 pm, can call the Recreation Department directly at 253-1611.