Sunlake High School knows how to keep the energy level up — both on and off campus, with the help of its color guard, marching band and choir groups.
Whether twirling flags, playing instruments or singing — students from Sunlake have performed well regionally and even nationally.
“We’re a very comprehensive program,” explained Brandon Slaughter, Sunlake’s band director. “Most of the time we perform at local high schools, in either their gyms [or] concert halls.”
The school has a marching band, a concert band, a choir, instrumental groups and a color guard.
And, while each group has independent rehearsals, they often come together to perform in shows, such as the Winter Showcase Concert.
The showcase typically is at the end of each year and lasts for about two hours – offering anywhere from 35 to 40 different acts.
The ensemble’s recognition has allowed them to entertain at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach and out of state at the University of Dayton, in Ohio, just to mention two.
In uniforms bearing the school’s colors — black, white, teal and gold — the marching band has made its mark, especially in the Southeastern United States.
The program recruits students with an interest in music and dance through word of mouth, and through directors speaking with local middle school students who are preparing to enter high school.
Parents help with recruitment, too, said Paul Champion, Sunlake’s choir director, noting they pass on the word to other parents.
When talking to parents about the program, Champion said he tells them that students who take part develop strong time management skills.
The emphasis on recruitment has resulted in an increase in participation, Champion said.
“The chorus here has grown greatly in numbers since two years ago,” Champion said, more than doubling in size.
Jonathan Bearint didn’t need to be persuaded to join the marching band.
His interest was first sparked back in fifth grade, as he watched his older sister perform shows at her school.
“As soon as I saw their first marching show on the football field, I decided I [wanted] to be a part of that,” the 11th-grader recalled.
As a French horn player, Bearint has helped set a precedent for his school’s band. His percussion class is a four-time champion for the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit competition.
“It set the record for winning the most consecutive championships for the state of Florida, which is absolutely incredible,” band director Slaughter noted. “Those kids work so hard competing.”
While Bearint is happy with the accolades of the percussion class, he said he is equally impressed by the cohesive nature of all the groups performing as one.
“I like how everyone comes together,” he said. “Everyone in their individual part just comes together and makes a bigger picture that everyone can enjoy.”
Sunlake junior, Nicole Boisson, also has seen the rewards of hard work and persistence.
As color guard captain, she has taken her team to the 2019 Winter Guard International competition in Ohio to become the silver medalist winners.
The 16-year-old was initially a part of the school band, but soon traded her marching uniform for another physical activity.
“I decided to try something new – spinning flags, spinning rifle(s) – and I just fell in love with it,” Boisson explained.
Although she often competes with other school teams, she said that it feels like they all belong in one family unit.
As this school semester comes to a close, the Sunlake ensemble already is preparing for the next.
They’ve started summer training, which includes a mini camp, and have their eyes set on the Bands of America Regional Championship in October.
Even in the midst of rehearsing, the ensemble remains open to new recruits.
“We welcome everybody,” Slaughter said. “Every time we start a new season, the most advanced student to the beginner all start with the same training. If we’re all starting in the same place, we’ll progress a little bit better going forward.”
The directors enjoy seeing their students succeed, but they also emphasize to them the importance of appreciating the art of what they do.
“I always say that I get to teach the best kids in the world,” Champion said. “It’s about developing and fostering a lifelong love for music.”
Published June 05, 2019
