In a time when the health of the arts programs is in question for many school districts, Fountain Hills Unified School District’s programs survive as the exception.

More than survive, most are thriving. This is no better evidence than by the massive amount of members in the high school marching band.

With about 70 eager musicians crammed into the band room, the local program is uncanny for a school its size.

But a program’s existence is only guaranteed by continued interest. With more than half of this year’s band members being freshmen (35), it looks as though the local program has its eyes firmly set on the future.

This year’s marching band may be young, but anyone in attendance at any of the home football games can attest that these kids have heart. And a sound to match.

This year’s program features lots of classic rock. Something the parents can “rock out to,” according to instructor Lynn Truby.

Over the years, the local band program has earned a reputation as being one of the best in the Valley. Though this year’s group of musicians are young, they all have big dreams for what this sort of “fresh start” can mean for the program.

Will Aker began playing the tuba in the seventh grade because, he believes, it’s the instrument that holds the band together.

Fellow freshman Chris Wagner is an alto sax man. He’s been playing since the sixth grade because he thought the instrument sounded cool and didn’t have too many buttons.

Briana Garcia, another of the band’s many freshmen, picked up the flute in the fourth grade, partially because of the instrument’s small size.

“My brother was in band,” said Wagner. “I went to a lot of performances and decided I wanted to be a part of it too.”

Aker became interested in band thanks to his trombone playing mom, but gave up her instrument of choice in the sixth grade when he first heard the tuba and decided to make a switch.

Garcia said she heard a flute played in a church in California.

“It sounded gorgeous,” Garcia said. “I had to play it.”

According to Wagner, the transition from middle school to high school band has been a good one, but not without its challenges.

“We were a little nervous,” Wagner said. “The hardest part was adding marching to playing. I remember when the high school band came to the middle school to play for us. They were so good. I was nervous about joining something so much greater than myself.”

Aker and Garcia agreed. Another thing they agreed on is, though they are all freshmen, they are never made to feel like the lowest link on the chain.

“The older band members are very supportive,” Garcia said. “They don’t make you feel like a freshman.”

As for what to expect from the band this year, all three promised the usual. Thankfully, the “usual” for the FHUSD band is nothing shy of exceptional.

“It’s going to be fun,” Aker said.

“We have a lot of enthusiasm and style,” Wagner added.

“I think we’re going to impress a lot of people,” Garcia concluded. “We’re going to blow their minds.”

Drum major

Some would argue a band is only as strong as its leader and, this year, that leader is Jessie Chandler, the first female drum major to ever grace the FHHS podium.

“It feels pretty good,” Chandler said, laughing. “I’m sticking it to the man.”

According to band advisor Truby, girls were not allowed to try out for the drum major position when she was in high school.

“It’s great seeing her do this since we weren’t allowed to even consider it when I was in school,” Truby said. “When I found out she had made drum major I was so excited.”

Chandler, though, said she knew it was only a matter of time.

“I’ve known I wanted this since I was in sixth grade at my first football game,” Chandler said. “I saw the drum major out on the field at the time and said, one day, that was going to be me.”

Chandler said she’s learned a lot about leadership thanks to her new position, aided by her friends, Truby and even camps over the summer.

“I knew there were going to be a lot of freshmen looking up to me this year,” Chandler said. “I spent the summer mentally preparing for that. But the freshmen have been awesome. They’re the most enthusiastic group I’ve seen.”

According to Truby, Chandler’s athletic nature has been a big help.

“Her team experience has helped her be a leader,” Truby said. “Being in sports, she knows what it’s like to work as a team and she does a good job of pulling the whole band together. And she gives great direction.”

Chandler said her biggest challenge has been moving from drum line, where she used to only worry about her own part, to having to focus on the whole sound of the band.

She’s getting the hang of it, though, and said she’s excited for the road ahead.

“It’s a building year, but I think people will be blown away by our skill and presentation,” Chandler said. “I think we’ve changed for the better.”

As for Truby, she said she’s happy to see such interest in the band.

“Some high schools don’t even have freshmen this year,” Truby said.

She said she is moving at a little slower pace this year, allowing everyone time to get on the same page.

“You can only push so hard with a younger group,” Truby said. “Morale is very important this year. We’re moving more methodically to keep the stress down. Communication is also huge.”

Truby said fans should expect to see the same solid program this year, despite the youth of band members. This is largely thanks to the budding mentoring program established at the local middle school, where interest in band continues to grow as well.

“Ms. Bullard, at the middle school, has been a huge activist for the local music program,” Truby said.

“If these freshmen continue to perform like they have been and the middle school continues to recruit these talented kids, I think the music program in Fountain Hills is well intact.”