Why you Should Join Band w/ Interview with Propst

Band is great. You may think “Why should I join band, isn’t that for nerds?” or “Band is lame.” I must admit, it isn’t for some people. However, it is a lot like a sport. If you like it and practice it, you will get good at it. Music in general, is like another language. It may seem daunting at first, but it’s a very supportive environment and there are plenty of people who would be willing to help you. If you don’t know how to play an instrument, then you would be able to join Concert Band. 

Concert Band instruments are: Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Percussion, Electric Bass, Tuba, and Euphonium. Sadly, this is not an orchestra meaning we don’t have (most) stringed instruments. If you have any questions, you could go to the band room and talk to Mr. Propst or email him. If you have gone through Concert Band or already know how to play an instrument, joining Symphonic Band would be a great choice. It is a bit more advanced, but one of the best parts is Pep Band.

If you have ever been to a home football or basketball game, then you may have seen a bunch of people playing instruments in front of the stands at a football game or in the stands at a basketball game. That’s the Central High School Pep Band. It’s a combination of Symphonic and Jazz band. People in Concert Band can do Pep Band, but it isn’t required. We play funk all the way to metal songs. We play music at sporting events and every year, we spend a day going around to local businesses and playing the OSU and U of O fight songs. It’s a fun fundraiser. If you enjoy Symphonic or if you meet requirements for joining Symphonic, then you can join Jazz Band.

Jazz Band is the most advanced band, and it’s for people who love music and want to be able to improvise and play music no matter the song. In Jazz band, we play Funk and Jazz music. We will learn a melody and grow off that or even play songs by ear. We eventually transition to sheet music, so it isn’t like that the entire year. This means we don’t get sheet music. In this band, you can play Saxophone, Trumpet, Drum Set, Guitar and Bass.

In a Symphonic band you have to audition if he doesn’t know you, but as long as you know what you are doing, you are fine. You have to audition for Jazz Band and depending on the instrument you want, you may not always get in. Anybody is more than welcome to join Concert Band, however. We have 3 concerts every year. Last year, the Jazz Band played with the Symphonic Choir so the holiday concerts were combined. We are doing it again this year. It’s an awesome time and weirdness is completely acceptable. There are times when we get closer to concerts where we get more serious, but that doesn’t mean It doesn’t matter what you do or who you are, as long as you can play an instrument and want to, you can be part of the CHS band. The team vibes are amazing and completely positive.

Interview with Propst:

Q: Why should you join the CHS Band?

A: If you are somebody who likes making music and enjoys a challenge, it could be for you. If you like being a member of a team and you like perfecting physical dexterity. I also teach the best people so the group is super fun to work with.

Q: What is the vibe/community in band?

A: Very accepting of kids of all backgrounds and persuasions. It’s very much a goal oriented group that likes working towards a common goal.

Q: Why did you join band?

A: Long family history of trombone players and it felt natural. It was something I gravitated towards because I wasn't great academically and it was a subject I was finally talented in. Call it long tales of a neurotypical child.

Q: What has been your favorite moment as a teacher/director?

A: After nineteen years, it's been hard to specifically choose a moment, a few moments come to mind. The basketball championships come to mind, the long bus rides where the band kids crack me up, and every end of the year concert has filled me up in immeasurable ways. That end if the end of the year concert is the cumulation of all knowledge at the end of the year and it’s always somebody’s last concert which raises that emotional factor.

In conclusion, Band is an awesome and positive environment that even if you aren’t sure you like it, you should give it a try. Failure is accepted. Even if it turns out you are the worst ever at your instrument, if you are improving, that is completely fine. You can make friends and get exposed to music you’ve never been exposed to before. It’s a place for everybody.

Pictures from the last Pep Band Game (All credit for photos go to Radiate Photography, LLC):