Crowd support sought for visiting band

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SUNBURY — No matter an individual’s age or physical condition, anyone can practice good sportsmanship. That’s expected to happen Friday night at Big Walnut High School’s varsity football game.

“As the BWHS Band Director, I have an ‘ask’ of our football, cheer, band parents and community members this Friday night,” said Craig Porter on Facebook.

“We are hosting Columbus Beechcroft Friday and they have a very small band,” Porter continued. “With the Columbus Public Schools only settling their strike this past weekend, their marching band will have met for a few days to prepare to perform on Friday night.”

Some of the city’s 47,000 students returned to in-person classes on Monday after a weeklong teacher’s union strike in Ohio’s largest school district. Others took online classes.

Regardless of the opposition, fans are encouraged by the Big Walnut announcers to be respectful of the players and coaches before, during and after each game. Porter wants the same to apply to the away team’s marching band, particularly on Friday night.

“While our crowd has a wonderful reputation in the Ohio Capital Conference of being one of the most band-supportive crowds in the entire league (thank you), I’m asking our home crowd to be extra supportive Friday night during halftime,” he said. “The Beechcroft band will be taking the field for the first time of the season in an away stadium and in front of a much larger crowd than they would normally be used to seeing. I know our band will be providing lots of support to them, but I’d love to know that our home crowd will make the small but mighty Cougar band feel appreciated as well.

“As much as we have a great reputation amongst OCC schools of being supportive, I want the Beechcroft band and crowd to leave feeling the same way,” Porter concluded. “Thank you so much and Go Eagles!”

The BWHS marching band has several sections: flutes, clarinets, alto saxes/horns, trumpets, low brass, low reeds and percussion.

Porter has served as director of Bands at BW since 2002. Lisa Huston is assistant director of bands and BWHS choir director. Also on the band staff is Rachel Beeson, Daisy Duhl, Bailey Schull and Dustin Wallace.

At 21 miles away, Beechcroft may be the closest of the Columbus high schools to Big Walnut.
https://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2022/09/web1_DSCF9130-3.jpgAt 21 miles away, Beechcroft may be the closest of the Columbus high schools to Big Walnut. Gary Budzak | The Gazette

High school marching bands typically play their alma mater when their team takes the field, such as when the Golden Eagles began their season last month at the new Big Walnut football stadium.
https://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2022/09/web1_BW-Band-3.jpgHigh school marching bands typically play their alma mater when their team takes the field, such as when the Golden Eagles began their season last month at the new Big Walnut football stadium. Joshua Keeran | The Gazette

By Gary Budzak

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Gary Budzak covers the eastern half of Delaware County. He may be reached at the above email address or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.

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