Camouflaged amongst the large group of bodies all wearing the same maroon FHS Band shirt, I successfully enter the Franklin gym building unnoticed. In my hand, I hold a bucket filled with drumsticks, keeping my head down as we move up into the bleachers. Once everyone is settled, I peer around at the drums, trumpets, and clarinets that surround me, as well as the students holding them, taking careful note of everything I see. I am on a mission and I don’t want to miss anything.
This mission was inspired by my own burning questions, such as: what’s it like to be in FHS Band? Who is Mr. Owens? What are band kids really like? In order to find answers, I secretly attended a basketball game as a musician in the pep band.
To help me fit the part, my band friends gave me an FHS Band T-shirt and I blended right in. Well, sort of. There were some confused looks and a few “Wait, Twylo, you’re in band?” but as I moved equipment, fetched instruments, and chatted with various people, I began to feel at home.
As we set up, the environment was cheerful and we all laughed and smiled as we worked together. Later, when I talked to some of the band students about their feelings on the culture, they confirmed this. According to percussionist Shea Ocker, “the students get along pretty well.” Another percussionist, Leo Edwards, agreed, saying “there’s a lot of dedication in the band … people care, … respect you, and are always there to support you, whether that be in or out of the band department.” When I asked what his favorite part of being in band was, he emphasized the people and said that the relationships he’s formed are valuable and run deep: “there is a sense of understanding that I think you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.”
He also explained that the band department contains a wide variety of individuals, saying “it’s not just stereotyp[es].” I certainly noticed this throughout my night as a band kid. There were musicians from all social groups with hair ranging from long blonde highlights to buzzed bright colors all bonding over a shared love of making music.
The band department is best known by its director: Jason Owens. Owens joined the FHS faculty six years ago and has been the band teacher ever since. He is most famous for his distinct personality, intensity, and the disciplined environment he maintains. Some band students feel he can come off as extreme, however, the consensus of those I talked to was that they appreciated his seriousness about the craft, citing what his high expectations accomplish for the band.
Ocker said that he values how the dedication of every band member pushes him to do better. “It’s very fulfilling to achieve a good sound on a piece,” he explained, “especially since everyone around you is also doing that and then it all comes together and actually sounds worth listening to.” Additionally, he noted that even though Mr. Owens can be quite intense, “sometimes he’ll just say something completely ridiculous and he’s pretty good at being able to laugh at himself, so there are a lot of lighthearted moments in class.” Edwards agreed, noting that “Mr. Owens contributes to the culture in many ways.”
When I talked to him, Owens acknowledged that his intensity makes some students feel uncomfortable but emphasized that, in order for the band to make the best music possible, there must be true boundaries and intensity. “If you want to make good music you have to be serious about it,” Owens said, “and you also have to take yourself seriously.” Simultaneously, he noted that being able to have fun and be playful is important, explaining that if both are accomplished “we have a complete, balanced perspective.” He elaborated: “We have intense moments where we have to be serious and then we have other moments where we’re making fun of ourselves and being silly, and hopefully there’s a balance there where we’re covering all the aspects of humanity.”
At the basketball game, I saw this in action. Before we left the band room, Owens asked everyone to sit down and briefly addressed us, communicating his gratitude to everyone for working hard and showing up. There were some awkward smiles but the students seemed to sincerely appreciate his words. Once everything was set up and the game was underway, Owens’ silly side made an appearance. Before a piece titled “Animal,” Owens held up the dry-erase board that tells the musicians what song they are going to play, and made a variety of animal faces, bringing smiles and chuckles from the band.
His eccentric personality has caused him to become somewhat of a celebrity amongst the performing arts department at FHS. There are even two social media accounts dedicated to pictures and videos of him. When I asked how he felt about this, he smiled and said, “Well they’re making fun of me, but not in an ill-mannered way.” He likes it but doesn’t really look at the accounts much. “I like to be silly,” he told me, “I also have a pretty serious side but … I’m not afraid to make fun of myself. I think the kids like that.”
Throughout my experience writing this story, I learned that being in FHS Band brings many perks and opportunities; students play shows, participate in student band competitions (last year they went to state), and go on trips. This spring, the entire band department is going to Disneyland. In addition, those in Jazz Band even have the opportunity to play with the four-time Grammy Award-winning band Snarky Puppy.
But, perhaps the greatest perk of all is simply the culture. Throughout this experience, I learned that the FHS band department is filled with a community of dedicated musicians who support one another in many ways. It is more than a department; it is a family.
I stand atop the bleachers. The crowd cheers, and upon Owens’ cue, the band strikes up into the FHS fight song. I feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment at discovering more about the band department and being able to experience what it is like to be an FHS Band kid. I hold the cabasa someone passed me and twist it, as I have been instructed, on every 2 and 4. I have achieved my goal and my face breaks into a joyful smile. Mission accomplished!
