Homewood Patriot Band drawing national attention with halftime performance

HOMEWOOD, Ala ( WIAT ) — The Homewood High School band’s 2024 halftime show is getting a lot of attention on social media.

A video of last Friday’s performance shows Homewood High School Senior Jack Mitchell, a percussionist in the band, in a gyroscope, spinning and drumming at the same time.

“It takes a lot of muscle memory. It takes a lot of concentration. You really got to not get dizzy,” said Mitchell.

Tuesday, the band gathered to practice the routine. Mitchell said it takes practice and a lot of preparation to get it right.

“If you focus in on one part of the drum. The sticks just kind of fall into place,” said Mitchell.

The halftime performance show is not only wowing crowds on Friday nights, it’s also going viral on social media platforms like Tik Tok.

“A few days after the show, my friend texted me and said dude you’re viral. It’s honestly astounding it’s gotten as big as it has and frankly, I’m just so thankful so many people can see me play,” said Mitchell.

Homewood High School Band Director Chris Cooper said the inspiration to use a gyroscope came from another band performance he saw years ago.

After purchasing one and making sure it was safe to use, Cooper said it just took preparation.

“We just tried to figure out how to incorporate it in the show and then I had to find the kid that would do it and I went I got the perfect kid,” said Cooper. “He’s been great in it, so it’s been safe and we don’t really put him in it a lot during practice cause I want to limit how many times he goes in the thing. He wants to go in it every day.”

Mitchell said he plans to continue pursuing his passion for percussion in college.

You can see the Homewood Patriot Band perform their halftime show in person at Waldrop Stadium Friday night.

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