Marching Band Ready to Rock After Bonding at Camp

As the weather cools, it's clear the new school year is here. And for anyone who lives near , the nippier nights and loosening leaves aren't the only changes in the air.

Lately, the infectious beats of the BHS marching band's drumline have been wafting over downtown, conjuring images of hot cocoa, bundled-up fans, and last-minute, game-winning touchdowns.

Just back from a week's worth of bonding at band camp, the marching band is ready to rock their first performance, which is scheduled for this Thursday during half-time of the varsity football game.

“The band's first performance promises to be lots of fun and perhaps even hold a surprise or two for the crowd,” Brighton Band Boosters president Gigi Valliencourt said.

At a recent practice, the 250-member band amassed, taking over one of the high school's parking lots. Despite the overcast skies, the group was animated. Horns blared, feet stomped, and friends patted each other on the back. Junior Kaitlyn Thorpe twirled a fiery baton, and Junior Sean VanHentenryck rocked out on the electric guitar.

“The energy is really high right now,” senior drum major Chris Raby said. “I can hear the excitement in the music. We're ready to get the crowd motivated and cheer on our football team to a win.”

The band's Brighton pride runs deep. The band's director, Rick Pethoud, was once a member of the BHS marching band. After playing the French horn in the U.S. Army marching band at West Point during college, he returned to Brighton. He assisted his former director for 6 years before becoming director himself, a position he has held for 20 years.

“The band is more like a family than anything else,” Pethoud said. “It's a strong program at a strong school in a strong community.”

Pethoud is joined in his efforts by Mike Osborn and Jennifer Evans, who teach at , as well as Gabriella Hoffman, who teaches at . Pethoud's wife, Sue, also offers constant support at practices and performances and during the off-season.

This year, the marching band is led by drum majors Chris Raby, Hannah Brenner, and Matt St. Germain.

St. Germain, who is the first sophomore drum major in BHS history, said he wouldn't trade his position for anything in the world.

“I've always wanted to be in band,” St. Germain said. “It's given me so many opportunities and experiences, and the people you meet are so outstanding.”

When asked what the strengths of the BHS marching band are, St. Germain also referenced the band's unity.

“When we all want to be there, we make progress,” St. Germain said. “And it's really cool to see upperclassmen helping freshman.”

The theme of Thursday's performance is continual motion.

“We want to get the crowd involved and keep them involved,” Pethoud said.

The 250-member band will open with “You Can't Stop the Beat” from Hairspray, followed by “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas. Then they'll break loose from the traditional marching drill to do a little dancing as they play “Time Warp” from Rocky Horror Picture Show. They'll close the performance with Journey's timeless motivator, “Don't Stop Believing.”

Don't expect to see the same performance at every game. While most high school bands perform the same show at each game, the Brighton High School marching band presents a fresh show each time they perform.

Pethoud said the band's ambition comes, in part, from its size.

“It's a good feeling to be part of something bigger than yourself,” he said.