Clovis East band doubles membership, ‘takes flight’

A military jet roaring over Bulldog Stadium proved a defining moment for the Clovis East High School marching band.

The students were striving to play their best and perform to their potential in a season-ending competition last year. Then the unexpected flyover occurred – just as the band reached the climax of its field show.

The distraction could have played havoc with the students’ concentration.

It didn’t.

“Our band played their hearts out that day,” said band director Shannon Weber. “Nothing – not even a jet – was going to stop them. We were all so proud of them and how much they wanted that performance to go down as their best.”

Weber hopes this year’s band will build on that spirit as it enters a busy fall season of Friday night football games and weekend field show competitions.

“Our mindset with the students is, ‘Why wait until the end of the season to show what you can do, when you can do it from Day 1?’ They’re all smart and talented enough to reach the level of excellence they’re capable of,” Weber said.

Clovis East’s marching band has grown rapidly in the last several years, doubling in size. Freshmen have led the growth, and they needed some time to get accustomed to expectations and competitiveness associated with band, Weber said. The band staff kept believing the students would adapt.

“We knew if we kept pushing, it would pay off,” Weber said. “It’s just so wonderful to see the joy in their faces when they realize they’ve had a great performance.”

Director

“My sophomore year marching band experience at Buchanan High School is what made me realize music education was for me. I had such an amazing time, and it inspired me to give back to future students the experience that was given me by my fantastic teachers.” – Weber

Weber is in her first year as band director, having served the previous two years as assistant band director at Clovis East.

Her music career started in fifth grade on the clarinet her mother played in school.

“It was still lying around in storage, which was convenient since instruments aren’t cheap,” she said.

A 2008 graduate of Buchanan, Weber played in the marching band, wind ensemble and winter percussion.

“We traveled a lot, and I just have so many great memories and am really thankful for the opportunities presented to us,” Weber said. “My teachers were inspiring and made music fun, but also had high expectations and pushed us to be our best.”

After high school, she attended Fresno State as a music education major and participated in the Bulldog Marching Band for four years, two of them as drum major.

Said Weber: “The training I received at Fresno State prepared me to be a successful teacher right out of the gate.”

Drum Majors

“In elementary school, my friend said I should try band. When I started playing, I spent all my time on my clarinet. I wanted to be one of the leaders of the band because I get to conduct, and it would expand my musical knowledge.” – Thong Dinh

“I want everyone to have the same experience I’ve had in the band. I felt really welcomed when I came here. When I joined my elementary school band I wasn’t sure about it. But I ended up loving it. When I play my flute, I can escape from all my troubles.” – Millenia Yang

Color Guard

“The color guard helps give the emotion and feeling of the music to the audience. The way we move can show happiness or excitement, and it can be something that makes people smile. For us, color guard is family, and it’s working hard together.” – Sabrina Luna, captain

A voice from the band

“I love marching in field shows. It’s being part of something bigger than yourself. And I like the competition. It creates a drive to be good, and you want to be better than other bands. It’s fun to be the best.” – David Tomei, four-year band member

Fall competition season

“It really is an incredible amount of work that our students put into this activity, but it’s something they love and are passionate about.” – Weber

Competition show

It’s entitled “Take Flight” and is designed to make audiences feel like they’re flying. Music will include the theme from Pixar’s “Up” as well as the theme from the Soarin’ Over California attraction at Disney’s California Adventure theme park.

Traditions

Band staff members pass out lemon drops before every competition so they can encourage students. During the last week of rehearsals in the fall season, seniors receive a special send-off. This includes a time for them to reminisce and a lineup where underclassmen hug seniors.

Weber also presents every student with a handmade necklace at the last performance of the season.

Assistants

Spencer Hannibal-Smith serves as assistant band director. Other band staff are Matt Dye, Evan Johnson, Jessica Perez, Zackary Potter, Ray Rivera, Haley Sergent and Robert Strong.

Band members

Jose Arzola, Devin Benninghoven, Hayley Bishop, Olivia Boling, Jillian Boston, Evan Carnahan, Raul Chavez Jr., Banond Chheang, Sierra Claxton,, Samuel Clifton, Madeline Cook, Erika Corpin, Martin Dabon, Kelsi Daniel, Sebastin Delgado, Franklin Delossantos, James Delossantos, Thong Dinh, Matthew Dolio, Daniel Erese, Breana Espinoza and David Estrella.

Jakob Frost, Joshua Frost, Tony Garcia, Christopher Giocalone, Kristin Gonzales, Caleb Haldeman, Angel Hernandez, Jese Hernandez, Miles Hernandez, Angela Holmes, Cheri Holmes, Alexandra Hough, Samantha Howery, Jacob Jacobsen, Isaiah Juarez, Jackson Kiehlmeier, Kevin Kingham, Brent Lee, Madelyn Lee, Monica Lopez, Justin Masangcay, Travis McDonald, Ruben Mejia, Yvette Melendrez, Ashley Moorhead, Beatriz Moreno, Cruz Moreno, Gabriel Murray, Fred Obana, Kristen Ochoa and Zackary Oliveira.

Justin Packer, John Reed, Samantha Rios, Mykayla Rodriguez, Ron Ronat, Cristian Simpson, Ranveer Singh, Dylan Stover, David Tomei, Quan Tran, Quyen Tran, Jason Vang, Kongmong Vang, Elijah Vega, River Verdin, Jared Vue, Austin Warren, Brendan Warren, Robert White, Christopher Witrado, Matthew Woodard, Nicholas Yanez, Bee Yang, Millenia Yang, Kyle Yoder and Zachary Zuniga. Mackenzie Jackson – TA

Color Guard

Melody Briceno, Citlalli Castanon, Stormy Conner, Guadalupe Garcia, Anissa Gonzalez, Candice Hayes, Wayne Kue, Sabrina Luna, Jaeda Murillo, Savannah Nieves, Kelsey Reppert, Aiko Thurman, Caitlyn Tuffanelli, Brianna White, Jessica Yarbrough and Cheyenne Young.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 6:25 PM with the headline "Clovis East band doubles membership, ‘takes flight’."