AJ School News

November 18, 2009

Major wins for Trail band

By Adam Roberts aroberts@theabingtonjournal.com

FACTORYVILLE - The Lackawanna Trail marching band and their drum major made history at the recent Atlantic Coast Championships.

The band finished 11 in group one, which includes bands with 30 musicians or less, at the 13-state competition.

Aside from placing higher than any band in school history, the group also earned its first individual award at ACC with senior David Stark earning high drum major honors.

By winning the award, Stark will join drum majors from the three other groups in leading an all-star band at the Thanksgiving Day parade in Philadelphia.

Stark will travel to Philadelphia the day before the parade for an evening practice with the band. Band Director Katie Bower remembered when Stark joined the band as quiet and shy eighth grader. He has since emerged as a leader, which is evident by the tenor saxophonist’s success in the drum major role.

“It was something I always wanted to do,” Stark said. “It’s like being the quarterback or team captain.”

Early in the year Stark did have some struggles in his new role.

“It’s a little difficult being in a leadership position with your friends and peers you’ve been with for five years,” said Stark, adding he established a line between friend off the field and drum major on the field.

He also set goals and worked hard to see them materialize.

During a pre-season camp, all of the section leaders were asked to write down goals for themselves; Stark wrote down, “win best drum major.” He achieved his goal early in the year with a competition at Milton High School.

Because many events don’t assign a drum major judge, Stark didn’t have an opportunity to vie for the top spot again until Chapter Championships on Oct. 25. At that competition he again earned the honor. ACC provided the final opportunity to win the award and he did.

Stark said the win at Milton gave him the motivation to work harder and continue to perform at a high level. He never became over confident, but rather relished each achievement.

“Every single time it was never like I was expecting it. I was very appreciative,” said Stark.

He also gave credit to the band.

“I really stress that I wouldn’t be able to do anything without the band being as good as they were,” Stark said.

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