Strong Bonds and Musical Ties
Boyd County High School Band Celebrates Alumni Night
By Pamela Hall
The Ashland Beacon
Learning to play a musical instrument can be a difficult task; however, starting that endeavor as a child within a school system music program makes the task so much easier. In addition, there are academic benefits for those students who are involved in music. There have been many clinical studies conducted where research shows that music students usually score better academically, especially in math and science. In fact, according to www.sciencedaily.com, students who continue music studies in high school are likely to be up to one academic year ahead of other students.
This certainly proves the importance of having a strong music department in our school systems. It also proves that there can be great benefits, as well as great fun, in learning to play an instrument and being a member of the high school band. Yet sadly, most people who play in their high school band rarely pick up their instruments after graduation. Often, this is due to the lack of available opportunities to play unless their skill is at a professional level. Of course, most of us are not at that level, yet we still enjoy playing.
Boyd County High School Band Director, John Johnson, recently gave previous students an opportunity to once again be a part of the high school band. Boyd County Alumni Band Night occurred at the Boyd County vs. Ashland football game earlier this month. Former students were invited to be a part of the pre-game show, as well as play in the stands during the game.
“We had a great turnout this year with about 40 alumni participating,” Johnson said. “We had participants that were band students ranging from the years of 1967 to 2023.”
In addition to the alumni musicians, Johnson also had a former band director to participate. Carl Taylor, who also previously taught vocal music at Boyd County, conducted the Fight Song during the pre-game show.
Taylor remarked, “A highlight of returning to BCHS for the event was seeing former students again after many years and hearing about what has been happening in their lives during those years.”
Johnson started having Alumni Band Night the first year he came to Boyd County in 2006. It was so successful that he has had it every year since then.
Johnson recalled, “When I attended Morehead State University, there was always a game for alumni band members to participate. When I came to Boyd County, I decided to do the same thing. It has been very popular.”
It has been so popular, in fact, that Johnson added an Alumni Band Night during the basketball season as well. This gives former band members yet another opportunity to participate and play.
“Band members have a special bond,” explained McKensie Johnson, a 2018 graduate who participated this year. “No matter how far or close we are, we still manage to get together and make a special moment.”
It was indeed a special moment for the alumni to be able to march out on the field and perform once again.
“It was great to be on the field again,” said Andrew Hall, a 2014 graduate and former Drum Major for the band. “I was also a vocal student under Mr. Taylor so having him conducting the Fight Song was very special to me as well.”
“It's hard to imagine how many lives the Boyd County Band Program has impacted,” Johnson said. “The band program is outstanding because of all of the wonderful people past, present, and future that have been a part of it.”
There’s no doubt that music leaves an impression and has an impact on people’s lives whether it be from feeling emotional or recalling good memories from just listening to music, the feeling of being a part of a group that makes up a band or choir, or even from getting better test scores as students. Only one conclusion can be drawn…music makes a difference!