New era begins for Flathead High's marching band

Neighbors living near Legends Stadium on Kalispell’s west side have probably been hearing some new sounds this week.

The Flathead High School marching band has taken to the field.

“It’s crazy ... We’re changing everything,” said Ryan Alcock, a senior playing second bass drum this year. “But I like where we’re going with it now, it’s good.”

Longtime Flathead High band director Allen Slater retired at the end of the 2015-16 school year after 28 years in the position. His departure opened the door for new director David Johnke to bring a fresh approach to the music department, and specifically to the marching band program.

“It’s a little bit of culture shock,” said drum major and senior Emma Winkelman. “But it’s pretty exciting to do something new. Our goal is just to be the best that we can be.”

Johnke said that last year, his first at the program’s helm, was tough and a “huge learning curve.” He credited Slater for preparing the students well for the transition and for building a strong program to step into, but added that he’s excited to make it more his own this year.

“I feel like we’re off and running, and it helps that the whole community that feeds into Flathead has been so supportive,” he said.

“I can’t wait for it to start. It’s going to be a really positive year.”

Johnke, who came to Flathead last year after 11 years teaching music at Havre High School, said his decision to refocus Flathead’s marching band came from his own experience as a trumpet player for Montana State University’s marching program, as well as from seeing what his Havre students gained from participation in a full marching unit.

“All of those experiences were so positive for me,” Johnke said. “I wanted to share those experiences with these kids.”

THE CHANGES coming to the Flathead marching musicians began last week with the start of the band camp. Six specialized marching instructors from outside the valley have signed on for a week of intense instruction, and so far are finding the students very receptive to the change from precision marching style to corps style.

“In just the two days we’ve been here working with the students, they’ve already changed and adapted so much,” said Zach Barker, who is working with percussion and drill — marching style and formations. “It’s been great to see what happens when you’re working with really hard-working and such smart kids.”

The feeling is mutual.

“It’s a big improvement from last year,” said sophomore clarinet player Nate Devel. “And it’s cool that these people all came here to help.”

Barker, as well as lead instructor Joe Hills and colorguard/choreography instructor C.J. Forland, have previously marched with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Colorado. Hills also spent a year with the Troopers, based in Wyoming, and Forland spent a year with the Madison Scouts, out of Wisconsin. Rounding out the lineup of instructors are brothers Tim and Matt Sanchez, who teach percussion and low brass/visual respectively, and Josh Hungate, a current music education student at the University of Montana.

According to the group, bringing something on the scale of Drum Corps International to a small marching program in Montana comes with challenges, but also some pleasant surprises.

“One of the challenges ... we’re used to having a whole season, months, to put a show together,” Barker said. “Here we have to work faster. We have to get these kids what they need to be successful in a week.

“What we’re finding is that everyone is on board. Everyone here is all about making the band better. We come from a place where [marching band] is really competitive. But here, you aren’t doing it to win anything, you’re doing it because you love it.”

Johnke said he brought the group of instructors in because it’s difficult, if not impossible, to run a marching program well without a full staff.

“I decided if we were going to do it, we were going to do it right,” Johnke said.

SO WHAT can audiences expect to see this fall from the Flathead High School marching band?

Johnke said the field show will have a whole new look and feel, and it will be the first time in 30 years the band has participated in the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo Parade in downtown Kalispell.

“Last year we had three performances, and there was no real drill involved. These students had never marched backward before,” Johnke said. “This year we have eight performances. They will be looking at drill charts for the first time. There’s a lot on our plate, and I think people will be surprised.”

According to Johnke, the band program at the high school has just over 100 students. He said he expects to field about 90 students for the marching show. Community members will have the chance to see the show during home football games. The performers will also march in Flathead’s homecoming parade, and plan to march in the UM homecoming parade in Missoula.

“Everyone is working their hardest to get the best outcome, performance-wise,” said assistant drum major Charcy Bullock, a junior.

The marching band’s show this year features the music of Earth, Wind and Fire, as well as the school song.

“Show up or you’ll be missing out,” Alcock said.

IN ADDITION to the changes people will see on the field this year, Johnke said he is also looking forward to beginning some behind-the-scenes projects for the future.

Johnke said he is working to get a new uniform for the drum majors this year, and hopes the students will have a chance to vote on new uniform designs that will eventually outfit the entire band.

“The jackets right now are from the 1970s,” Johnke said, laughing. “It’s time for an update.”

After the votes are tallied and the new design chosen, the real work will begin with fundraising.

In the meantime, Johnke said the program could always use more community and parent volunteers.

“It’s an exciting time to be building this program,” Johnke said. “It’s the face of the music program, but also represents our school.”

Interested donors or volunteers can contact Johnke by email at johnked@sd5.k12.mt.us.

Arts and Entertainment Editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.