"And the band played on …"
It is a phrase made popular, as the story goes, when the famed Titanic plunged into its icy water, the dining entertainment, in the form of an eight-man band, opted not to board lifeboats, but instead played music to calm the panicking passengers. The phrase continued into modern times denoting that, despite chaos, the world must carry on.
No time is the phrase possibly more apt than during COVID-19 and all of the challenges it has presented. Each and every aspect of life has had to adapt to a “new normal.” During Wednesday night’s meeting of the North Penn School District Board of Directors, the board had to decide just that: would the band, in fact, “play on?”
NPHS Marching Knights Band Director Joe Santanello has been hard at work the past few weeks preparing a plan to safely return his musicians back to the field. Using a vast amount of resources, the board agreed with his findings. There is, in fact, a safe way to continue to host a Marching Knight season in the 2020-21 school year.
Following directives that the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) for high school sports, Santanello released a 23-page document entitled “NPHS Return to Play Procedures” to the board Wednesday. While band is not an official “sport,” the director felt that similar proximities and allowances could also be applied to a marching band setting.
Some safety measures the plan outlined included no play during any red phase of the community. During yellow or green phases, two distinct plans would be followed, with safety measures in place such as limiting functions to players and coaches/staff only, temperature checks, handwashing stations, safety equipment usage, not sharing equipment and social distancing measures. The director felt all would be kept safe, even during these uncertain times.
The PIAA plan allowed sports to be categorized into High (i.e. wrestling, football), Moderate (i.e. basketball, softball, baseball, soccer), and Low Risk levels (i.e. individual running, throwing, skiing), with unique rules for each category. However, as band was not listed as a sport, it did not warrant a label.
As most fans know, marching bands don’t just show up on the first day of school and know the drill.
“We were approved to begin summer rehearsals on July 9 so we have spent about six weeks practicing so far,” said Santanello. “Rehearsals have been strictly outdoors. Staff and students have been separated into small groups and are wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. Students and staff also must submit a pre-rehearsal health screening before each rehearsal”
In that vein Santanello has pushed to open the season, despite the unknown facing his musicians.
“Most band programs in our area are rehearsing and preparing for a competitive season at this point,” he said of his own and other programs like it in the area. “Like us, they are taking lots of precautions and have installed many safety measures but plan to move forward with their seasons.”
Still he has dedicated time to make things safe for all. And, all of the preparation has paid off for the Marching Knights. The 2020 marching band season at North Penn High School will continue as planned. The board of directors approved the current plan, which included only virtual competitions in small groups, 9-0.
“I want to thank everyone involved in attempting to navigate this unprecedented uncertainty,” said Santanello, now in his second year with the Marching Knights, after having spent 10 years with the Quakertown Community School District. “Please know that as a band director, I am accustomed to being available, virtually 24/7, to problem-solve.”
Santanello said that, as director, he has worked hard to find a solution that satisfies all, and above all, keeps everyone safe.
“Band directors do not take summer vacations, and we rarely take evenings or weekends,” he said in his plan outline. “Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I want nothing more than to continue growing this program and providing an exceptional musical, social and emotional experience for the students of North Penn High School. I will do whatever it takes.”
The band participates in USBands for its competition portions of the season. The nationwide organization has opted for sectionalized, virtual competitions.
“The Marching Knights have proudly competed in the USBands circuit for many years,” explained Santanello. “USBands wisely moved to a Virtual Performance platform, meaning that bands can perform and record their show at their home stadium and submit for adjudication remotely. This is great because it means we do not have to get on buses or travel to other parts of the state and region. USBands is also allowing for Small Group competition this year and North Penn will be choosing that option, so our Color guard, Percussion, Woodwinds and Brass will each be competing separately. While you lose some of the excitement of having the whole marching band together, it allows us to stay in small, self-contained groups which helps contain any potential outbreaks and allows for easy, accurate contact tracing.”
A similar approach has been taken with band practices this far, followed closely by what team sports are attempting.
Such additional outlined measures included working in “pods,” or smaller groups of 10 to 15 students along with the same staff members each day in order to prevent mass gatherings of the full band or team. The band will also largely practice outside, only allowing limited play indoors during a full green phase. Students in either activity will also need to provide their own water supplies, as common-use stations will be prohibited.
Thus far, according to High School Principal Pete Nicholson’s presentation, the band has conducted 22 unique rehearsals, with over 133 hours of play. During the summer practices, not one case stemmed from the band. One adult staff member was feared to have been exposed but proved negative quickly, via working with the Montgomery County Health Department of Health.
Nicholson said the county response was prompt and detailed, and within the business day, the entire band was aware of the situation.
In addition to competitions, the band also plays to entertain at the home and away football games. With its future also hanging in the balance, it was unclear if the band would play on during games.
“Typically, the band does play at all home and away football games,” said Santanello. “This year, we will have to follow the guidance provided to us by PIAA, the Suburban One League, and state and county health officials.”
Nicholson recommended that the halftime show, as well as game-break songs, be previously recorded so that they may be played as games are streamed, should the football season go on.
Despite the pandemic, the band has grown to 85 members this year, up from past years’ numbers. No matter the look of the season, the high school will provide a robust marching band, ready for any style of performance.
See also:
North Montco Technical Career Center Announces Hybrid Plan For Upcoming School Year
Pa. Schools Offered Guidelines For Determining Whether To Offer In-Person Instruction To Students
School Board Issues Statement Following Decision To Start School Year Virtual Only
North Penn School Board Recommends All-Virtual Classes To Begin 2020-2021 School Year
North Penn Outlines Reopening Procedures For Upcoming School Year
