Thursday, September 25, 1997
Bands ready to face off as well
By JONATHAN KRYDER / Abilene Reporter-News
Cooper and Abilene High's football teams aren't the only ones
tooting their horns about Friday's heart-pounding rivalry: Their
respective bands also expect an intense -- yet neighborly -- musical
standoff from the stands.
"When you mention Abilene High, that's it, (band members)
are automatically up for the game," said Cooper associate
band director Jerry Gowler. "But we like to accentuate the
positive about the game and downplay the negative."
Gowler said part of his job is to advocate a friendly spirit
among band players and help prepare for a safe, yet exciting,
game.
"Football is a contact sport," he said. "In
band, there's no scoreboard. It's educational. We emphasize that
they maintain respect -- win or lose."
AHS drum major Evan Willerton agreed. However, he added that
the rivalry does carry some positive aspects beyond the football
field.
"The rivalry is half as much fun as the game," he
said. "It keeps going the rest of the year, at basketball
games and in the classroom."
Many band members have close friends who attend the opposing
school. For them, the game provides an opportunity to play for
a fresh, but familiar, audience and "work harder to do our
best," said Cooper trumpet player Tracy Roth.
AHS band director Paul Walker said his band will perform its
usual repertoire -- "Variations on a Korean Folk Song"
-- during Friday's halftime show. The band's percussionists will
be featured out front.
Walker said playing with a competitive nature and in front
of the largest crowd of the year will prepare his students for
the University Interscholastic League's band competition later
in the year. The band has also been invited to perform before
thousands of spectators in March in Dublin, Ireland.
"I want Cooper to be an excellent band. That helps me,
and it helps my kids," he said.
While confirming the competitive spirit the game evokes in
his students, Gowler emphasized the comradery between the two
groups.
"We prefer to keep it friendly," he said. "We
tell the kids to go out and do their best. If that's better than
the other guy, then so be it. If it isn't, then we need to work
harder."
Cooper's halftime show will consist of theme songs from Saturday
morning cartoons including "Pink Panther", "Jonny
Quest", "George of the Jungle" and the "Flintstones".
Friday will be the first time the band will perform the entire
show. Gowler said the band did nothing unusual this week to prepare.
The biggest difference at the AHS-Cooper game, he said, is
the seating of the bands.
"That's the only game we play when we're sitting across
from the opposing team. It makes a big difference," he said.
Cooper band directors and football coaches carry a mutual respect,
and students on both squads support one another, he said.
"We've gotten letters of appreciation from the team almost
weekly," Gowler said. "We know they appreciate us because
we make a difference."
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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