The future of the Spring Valley Grizzly Regiment has big things in store with the new director of bands, Bernard Moore.
Moore has already made changes to the program by having two new symphonic wind classes (concert band), two jazz band classes and after school rehearsals for marching band rather than during class. Moore also hopes to improve “overall involvement in the program” and plans on “growing the marching program to be more competitive.”
“My vision for the program is superior ratings at all contests. I think that the talent and knowl- edge of the students here is as good as you’ll find anywhere else… I expect us to be one of the top programs in the district.” said Moore.
In order to make these changes Moore is hoping to recruit more students into the program with a target number of around 250 kids. Once the band becomes a district top band, Moore will begin to send tapes for national competitions and events.
More students in the program will “provide us opportunity to compete in a bigger class,” said Moore.
During marching band com- petitions, schools are divided in classes (groups) in which they compete in, depending on how big their band is.
“I see the band program expanding as the the result of the new recruitments and receiving strong recognition… I’ve seen more commitments from the members and improvements in the ensemble as a whole,” said Sophomore Bridget Reichel, an Alto Saxophone player.
Moore has been putting count- less hours into band each week with marching band practice after school, and additional time to help out sections of instruments throughout the week. This year, the band has four marching band competitions that fall on Saturdays for their marching show titled “Of time.”
“It’s clear that everything he does is to benefit us and the program. I love the connection he has with us, and how the band room can feel like a home” said Reichel.
Moore has been involved in band since fifth grade and this will be his fifteenth year involved in band.
“The first instrument I learned to play was a recorder… and I was awful. In fifth grade, I wanted to play the saxophone… we had a trumpet in our garage so I learned to play the trumpet,” said Moore.
Armando, a senior flute player, who has been in the program
for four years, said that Moore is “putting in a lot of effort to make sure we are a great band” and he “makes sure everyone is involved.”
Sophomore Liam Mullen, a former Las Vegas Academy student said that coming to this new band, with a new director “feels a lot closer, there are more jokes, and everyone is more comfortable with each other.”
“All the different personalities, all the different backgrounds, all the different instruments, all the different issues and it all comes together at the end of the year to… make something beautiful and special,” said Moore.
“Band was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
