Hope Lions Hear Program on Hope High Band

The Hope Lions heard a program on Monday (8-5) on the Hope High band program.  “The Sound of Hope” is preparing for their football marching season.  On hand was Director Christian Davis along with instructor Bryon Silva and students Joelys Lopez, Jair Salgado, and Addison McEuen.

Mr. Davis handled much of the program.  He noted this year’s marching program is quite involved and almost like a Broadway production.  The program is about expressing inner beauty,

The Hope High Band has over 90 students in the band this year.  They have been practicing from 9am until 4pm recently.

Mr. Davis says he’s entering his fifth year although he says he doesn’t really count the first year because it was during COVID.  He credits former band director Julie Gladden and Dr. Carol Ann Duke for laying the foundations for the band program to be what it is now.  Mr. Davis says he thinks this year’s band will be the best in 30 years.

Mr. Davis talked about some of the band contests they will go to this year.  He noted at Bryant last year Hope took second in their class and eighth overall.  The band competes there not to just win but to be judged by nationally accredited judges to get constructive criticism.  He noted the band were grand champions last year at the Glen Rose contest.  The band won their class at Jonesboro and 4th overall there.  The band was ranked #6 in the state last year despite having a sound system malfunction.  The band also competed in Texas last year.

Mr. Silva said he’s never seen a band compete like Hope’s and notes they are “hungry for success”.

In answer to a question from the audience, Mr. Davis noted the instruments for the band are quite expensive.  Almost all the students use a school-owned horn.  Mr. Davis says he doesn’t want cost to get into the way of the students enjoying learning music.  The band recently purchased a new sound system but needs some more microphones.  Also, the band was able to update their low brass instruments this year.  The district purchased two concert tubas recently for $9,000 each.  Mr. Davis says the sousaphones used for marching season cost $7,000 to $13,000.  He noted marching euphoniums and baritones are around $4,000.  Beginner trumpets cost over $1,000. Even the reeds for the woodwinds cost $7 each.  Mr. Davis said he had to adjust for inflation when he prepared a five-year budget.

Mr. Davis closed his program by encouraging the Lions to support the band at the football games this year and encouraged anyone who would like to volunteer for the band boosters to do so.   He also encouraged the Lions to come out Thursday (8-8) at 4pm to see a performance at the football field.