CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Bands and majorettes from all eight high schools in Kanawha County made their way to Laidley Field in Charleston Tuesday evening for the 2024 Gazette-Mail Kanawha County Majorette & Band Festival.
George Washington High School opened the festival with the playing of the National Anthem, and band member Sophie Johnson says competing with all the schools in the county is fun change of pace.
“There’s eight schools in our area, eight schools in our county, it’s really nice to get to see everybody,” Johnson said.
Cassidy Dawson from St. Albans said before her band’s performance, that she was excited to go out there and compete.
“Just performing and seeing how we do in the awards,” Dawson said.
Dawson also says the festival being at Laidley Field is special.
“It’s very exciting,” Dawson said. “I love this field.”
Fellow St. Albans band mate Alyssa Mowery says the stadium allows for more mobility for bands.
“It’s bigger,” Mowery said. “There’s more room and it’s actually easier sometimes.”
On the other hand, Johnson says the shape and size of Laidley Field can present some challenges when performing.
“There’s a lot of technicalities like the big bump in the middle of the field and the four different hash marks,” Johnson said.
Despite whatever slopes were on her mind, Johnson was gearing up for a solo feature in her band’s performance.
“In the second movement, I have a little feature,” Johnson said. “I play tuba, so you don’t really see that stuff a lot and I think it’s really cool.
Johnson’s classmate Amelia Moore serves as band’s conductor, and she says the role brings a whole new perspective to her.
“Seeing the music come together before your eyes, usually you’re in the music and you only hear it,” Moore said. “Conducting it, I get to actually see the show and see everything come together.”