Change often breeds excitement.
That is the case for the Unaka High School band, who have been busy this week with their annual band camp on the school’s campus. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day, students have begun preparations for the upcoming school year. The camp is scheduled to conclude Friday.
Students have been hard at work, according to first year band director Christen Williams. Williams was busy navigating through the campus Wednesday, working with each band member at their different stations.
“We have around 25 students this year, which is very good considering there was a change at band director,” Williams said. “I can’t complain about that at all. We also have a very good variety of instruments.”
The program is near and dear to the heart of Williams. After graduating from Unaka in 2010 and performing in the band – she went on to continue her schooling at Carson-Newman, where she graduated in 2014.
Even with the excitement, change can cause some nervous feelings … but the director likes what she sees from her students.
“They’re taking to everything very well,” Williams said. “They have been really excited during the week and seem very excited about the different things we’ve been working on for this year. They’re taking the change very well and running with it.”
2016 will also see Unaka have their first drum major in eight years, Williams said. Cara Peters is set to lead the charge this year.
“I couldn’t be more excited about that,” Williams said about having a drum major. “A drum major is an integral part of the program. That’s the leader of the program. The kids have been very receptive of Cara as a leader and I’m excited for her, too.”
The excitement was evident in Peters Wednesday, who is ready to get this year underway.
“I’m very excited,” Peters said with a smile. “This is my senior year. I’ve been marching for the past five years, I started back in eighth grade. It’s weird, going from trumpet to this, but I’m very excited about this year.
“First, I was very nervous,” Peters continued about preparing for camp. “I found out I was a drum major Saturday. Then, I really met with the director Sunday and got to talking. We were so used to our old band director but I think a little change is good. This camp has gone very well and I think everyone is responding very well, too.”
Fans of the Rangers can expect to hear familiar tunes, according to Williams.
“Our theme this year is the music of Adele,” the director said. “We’re going to perform different songs, including ‘Rolling in the Deep’, ‘Hello’, ‘Someone Like You’, and ‘Rumor Has It’.”
And the drum major said she, and the rest of the band, likes the decision.
“We’re doing Adele as our theme, which we’re all excited about,” Peters said. “It’s something modern and something people know. I think everyone will respond to it very well.”