Band tuning up for new year

After years of changing leadership, attrition, and a chaotic atmosphere the Carencro High School band is on now on the upswing.

The band has been under serious reconstruction for the last year and continues under the tutelage of second-year band director Paul P. Rousse.

The task of building or rebuilding the band is a task much too big for one man to handle; therefore, Rousse has assembled a dedicated staff that he believes will be instrumental in seeing his plan come to fruition.

He and his staff are a group of musicians and they believe in nothing other than musicianship, according to Rousse.

“Musicianship by definition is the ability to make music,” said Rousse.

The members of Rousse's staff are Ashley Thibodeaux, flutes& saxes; Felicia Stephens, clarinets; Billy Geraci and Ben Frederick, trumpets; Larry Firmin, Low Brass; Derek Badon, percussion; and Rachel Cormier and Crystal Davis ,guard.

The band has a very unique flavor it can be described as somewhat different from the past years.

“I am trying to refresh the band with some untraditional music this year,” said Rousse.

Rousse is a very driven musician .He loves writing music for the band. In fact, Rousse is responsible for the creation of the school's Alma Mater which is our school song.

Besides hearing the alma mater this year, audiences will hear a new sound from the band.

“Expect a more motivated and progressive band this year, we will look and sound better every time you hear us,” said Rousse.

The band goes to competitions but their only competition is themselves Rousse said.

They do not compete at the competition they go to obtain scores and to better themselves.

Some of the good news about the band is that they have a marching show this year.

Their show consists of music by Ray Charles,” it has some very exciting moments for everyone in the crowd, “said Rousse.

The one thing that Rousse has to say to everyone about the band is to ”be patient, the students have worked extremely hard this far so compliment them on a job well done”, said Rousse.

Cody Guillory