Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
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Martinsville, Virginia 24115
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Thursday, October 19, 2006
By KATHRIN KLENSHTEYN - Bulletin Staff Writer
Martinsville High School’s Bulldog band is scheduled to make its international debut playing the national anthem Sunday at the Martinsville Speedway’s NASCAR Nextel Cup race.
The SUBWAY 500 race will be televised internationally by NBC, according to speedway officials.
Mike Smith, public relations director at the speedway, said officials at the track want the national anthem to be played in a traditional style — “the way it’s supposed to be played,” he said.
He said the speedway has used small brass ensembles for smaller events, such as some of the Saturday races. But the speedway wanted a bigger sound.
“They just sound so good,” Smith said. “We’ve got so much talent right here in our backyard. Why not use it?”
Smith said the event will be transmitted by NBC to 11 or 12 million households.
“That’s a lot of eyes,” he said.
The chance to play before the race will also benefit the students, he said.
“No one else can say they’ve done that,” he said. “I’m sure there will be a lot of VCRs and TiVos rolling in Martinsville-Henry County.” The band is slated to march through the main gate at about 11:30 a.m., around the track counter-clockwise and stop to perform to sections of the crowd along the way, Smith said.
He also said he hopes the event will help put Martinsville’s name out there.
The exposure is important “if nothing else than the name recognition,” he said. “It should signal that everyone works together here.”
Band Director Kevin Lewis said the band is always looking for exposure.
“If you get a chance to do something like this, it’s really a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said.
Students in the band realize the magnitude of the audience they will be playing for.
Erin Givens, 16, daughter of Amy Givens and Grayson Givens, both of Martinsville, and a drum major, said the performance is a great opportunity for the band.
Lauren Boblett, 17, daughter of Howard and Sarah Boblett of Martinsville, agreed. She noted that few schools have the chance to play and be televised.
Boblett, who plays the French horn, said the band’s recent performance for the governor’s inaugural parade was televised as well.
That, she said, has “really gotten our name out.”
Porsha Law, a drum major and the daughter of Tanya Hairston of Martinsville, said she believes performances such as playing in the inaugural parade and Sunday’s race give exposure to the band.
“Everyone should know who we are by now,” she said.
Kate Zimmer, 17, daughter of Kari and Will Zimmer of Martinsville, plays the flute.
“It’s a good learning experience,” she said of performing at the speedway.
Marquie Hairston, 17, a drum major and the son of Linda Hairston of Martinsville, agreed. When it’s time to play in front of smaller crowds and events, he said, “it’ll be a piece of cake.”
Lewis said the Martinsville High School band always has given its students the choice of playing for competitions or playing for football games.
The students, he said, have always focused on the games.
The act of giving back to the community has an intrinsic reward in it, he said.
“We do pride ourselves on doing things a little bit differently,” he said.
Lewis said there are some NASCAR fans in the band, including Law and Boblett. And it may create some fans, including Zimmer. “I think it’ll change my impression” of NASCAR, she added.
The band plans to play “Tribute to America,” “Rocky Top” and “Celebration” in addition to the national anthem. |
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