Barnesville Shamrocks: CA House Band of the Week

BARNESVILLE, Ohio (WTRF) — The Barnesville High Marching Band is a close-knit group that puts on a great show each week and has a great time doing it.

Their halftime show is an absolute “Thriller.”

That’s why they are this week’s band of the week.

It’s hard to believe, but just last year, there were only around twenty kids in the Shamrock Marching Band.

But what a difference a year makes.

That number has more than doubled in Devin Blair’s third year at the helm.

He says this year’s group is enthusiastic, with a passion for music and a dedication to performing.

They are very tightly knit. They are there for each other, very supportive and we are making immense progress because of the way they work together.”

Devin Blair, Band Director, Barnesville Marching Band

They are a relatively young band with as many as 17 seventh graders on the field. But they benefit from some strong senior leadership. The older kids say thay are happy to have the younger ones on board.

They bring a lot of joy to the band and sound obviously, and we are thankful for that.”

Shelby Hagan, Head Majorette

Their halftime show is an entertaining, high-energy spectacle that you don’t want to miss.

It features music from none other than the King of Pop himself.

But it’s more than just great music.

There is an impressive dance break during Thriller.

There is an impressive color guard and a group of highly skilled majorettes.

The kids say they had a blast performing the show, but it took lots of work and long hours of preparation to put it all together.

A lot of people think that it’s just blowing through a horn, getting it done. But it’s a lot more complicated than that. It’s a lot of practice, a lot of hours, a lot of dedication and motivation. It takes a lot of skill and preparation. They all work really hard and it pays off.”

Alexander Freshwater, Senior, Quads Player

Getting to know one another. It takes a lot to figure out names. Things like learning new things, dropping the button a few times, practicing over and over again.”

Tailor Freshwater. Senior Majorette

Memorizing the show, the drill, and the music is a little bit difficult, but I think we got it down; it’s pretty good. In Billy Jean the percussionist are going forward and we are going a different way. So having different dimensions are nice.”

Grace Goodhart, Senior, Clarinet

They say it’s more than just a performance. It’s an experience that’s second to none.

Not just having the band move around and make shape’s that really really cool. But it’s aslo cool to see things just flying in the wind and and hearing the sound of the flags in the air, throwing battons and swords up in the air is really cool and being the one to do that is really fun. Being able to bring that to the band is a privilege.”

Shelby Hagan. Head Majorette

Congratulations to the Barnesville Shamrock Marching Band, this week’s Band of the Week.

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