Kiwanis Hears Program on Hope Bands, “The Sound of Hope”

By Mark Keith, 10/27/22 7:59 AM

The Hope Kiwanis Club heard from Christian Davis, Director of Hope Bands on October 25th.  Mr. Davis noted this year’s marching show is called “We Are Hope” and features history from the band’s history from the 40’s through the “Super Band” and the Madlock years in the 90’s.  He noted they wanted to have a “community show”.  The band now calls itself “The Sound of Hope”.  this year the band has about 75 students marching.

The Sound of Hope has been doing well in contests recently, winning 17 trophies in 3 contests.  He said the band’s growth has meant it has moved up to competing against schools like Bryant and Cabot.  Despite moving up the band is still competing well winning such awards as 2nd and 3rd place and overall in color guard.

Mr. Davis said the band has shown major growth.  He noted when Mrs. Gladden first came, the band marched 17 members.  The growth began under Mrs. Gladden and now the  band is up to 75 members.  8 will graduate this year but there will be 55 more coming up meaning next year’s marching band should be well over 100.  A bigger class is coming up in the 7th grade with 75 members in that grade.

The band is turning heads around the state.  Mr. Davis noted a judge who gave the band a “4” in a marching contest several years ago (the next to lowest grade) had mentioned to him how impressed he was by the band’s progress.  He also noted some band students at Henderson have been volunteering with the band.

The need for more instruments was noted.  Mr. Davis noted how much more expensive new ones are these days as composed to when the Kiwanians were in the band.  When asked if he would take donated instruments from former band students he indicated he would.  Should anyone want to donate an instrument to the band they can contact Mr. Davis at the high school band hall.

When asked if the public could do anything else for the band, Mr. Davis encouraged the Kiwanians to attend the ballgames to show their support for both the football team and the band.