For the first time in its history, Christopher High School’s Midnight Pride—comprised of the marching and concert bands, color guard and drumline—will be participating in region-wide competitions.
The program, now in its sixth year, includes nearly 100 students and has grown from its humble beginnings in 2009 to become a burgeoning powerhouse for parades, community events and ceremonies.
Band and color guard members started preparing for a busy performing season a week before school started, wrapping up with a uniform fitting Aug. 15.
“We’re excited about going into the competitive circuit through the Western Bands of America and bringing pride to our program and the community,” band director Greg Grant said as students bustled about the band room trying on uniforms. “When CHS started (in 2009), we had 17 band kids and no color guard. The program has gotten fuller ever year since it started. The program’s growth really is not just a testament to the work I put in, but to the students who have a desire to be a part of this program and the pride they have in being members.”
Last year, the band performed during the Memorial Day parade, Veteran’s Day ceremony and flew to Hawaii for a performance at Pearl Harbor. According to Grant, these performances are laying the groundwork for Midnight Pride’s annual traditions.
And students say they’re enthusiastic about the new opportunities.
“We wanted to be a bigger part of the community as a whole, rather than just at Christopher High,” said junior drum major and CHS sophomore James Eichenbaum. “While Gilroy is seen as the old school or the town high school, we really want to show the pride we have of Gilroy.”
“It’s neat because people call us and tell us they want us to be in their event,” added Tiffany Roberts, CHS senior and senior drum major. “They want us there to play to them. It’s really cool.”
A phone call from Grant initially drew Roberts to the band after he suggested she attend the summer band camp during her sophomore year. She would return the next two years.
“I showed up to band camp got hooked and I was in love. This is my thing,” she said. “This has brought me a lot of joy and a lot of achievement. Getting to watch all the newcomers—the freshmen and seniors who’ve never done this before—come in and fall in love with it just like I did is a nice feeling.”
From the first day of camp, Grant often has his eyes on students with natural leading abilities-the ones who students look up to without him telling them to. He explained that his students pick the section leaders on their own.
And while some marching and concert bands have designated chairs—first violin plays the lead violin part, for example—Grant rotates the parts throughout the year.
“Calling someone a first clarinet player doesn’t mean they’re the best clarinet player; it just means they play the first part,” he said. “All of us are equal to the success of the program and all of us share in playing the parts.”
When students work through each piece of music, run a drill or perform during a parade, their skills aren’t the only thing that are growing—their confidence does too, Grant said.
“The most gratifying thing about being a band director is seeing students from their freshman year develop, mature and develop and become strong and confident seniors,” the band director said. “That’s the most rewarding part of the job. I see my students for four years and watching them develop from young adults and know that—somehow—I’m a small part of that growth.”
“Band isn’t a program, it’s not a class. It’s not just a group of people who do the same thing; it’s a passion,” Eichenbaum added. “A lot of times, bands are the biggest organizations on campus. But that doesn’t stop us from being the biggest family.”
Midnight Pride’s first competitive marching band performance of the season is scheduled for Oct. 11 at Gilroy High School, according to the website for the Western Bands Association. As of press time, 17 high schools have signed up their bands to compete in the Gilroy Garlic Classic.
CHS’ Midnight Pride depends on funding from local businesses and families to cover transportation costs, uniform costs and room and board for students while they’re competing against other California schools.
For more information or to help support the program, email Band Director Greg Grant at gr********@***********ed.org.
“The program’s growth really is not just a testament to the work I put in, but to the students who have a desire to be a part of this program and the pride they have in being members.”
-Greg Grant, band director
