Homewood Patriot Band students lead the Rose Parade

KIDS WHO SHINE HOMEWOOD PATRIOT BAND

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

New Year’s Day 2022 marked the fifth time the Homewood Patriot Band performed in the Rose Parade, but there was something extra-special about this one: Homewood was the lead band in the 133rd Tournament of Roses Parade.

“I don’t think it really sunk in that we were the lead band until we were actually there,” says Chris Cooper, Director of Bands, who has been with the program more than 20 years and is in his third year as director. “The Marine Band usually marches first, but the president of the parade is a retired school administrator in Pasadena, and he wanted it to be all about education. So, we got to be the lead and that was a pretty awesome thing for us.”

Awesome, indeed, especially given the additional year tacked on to the band’s practice time. The Patriot Band was originally invited to march in the 2021 parade, but it was canceled due to Covid, giving them another 12 months to practice—two and a half years total. However, that came with the sad realization that the 2021 seniors wouldn’t be there to perform this year.

“We honored the 2021 seniors on our big banner,” says Chris. “This year’s seniors wrote their names on the back.”

To ensure that all students were able to make the trip to California, the band raised money with online donations through Snap Raise. In 28 days, they took in more than $100,000, breaking all Snap Raise records in the country. They also hosted a 5K and a gala and auction when Rose Parade president Bob Miller came to visit. “It was really incredible to be able to help every kid in the band monetarily,” says Chris. “And even better, when I announced that I was sending a check to the tour company for each student, probably 50 to 100 parents stepped in and said to take their child’s portion and give it to another child who was in need. That just shows you what a great community Homewood is. We took two charter planes of kids to LA, and it was fantastic.”

Of course, before the fun—and even the fundraising—came the practice. Twice a week during October, November, and December, after football season ended. Having been on staff with the band for more than 20 years, and in his third year as director, Chris understood the importance of not only hitting the right notes, but also conditioning—the parade route is six miles long—and perfecting “the turn.”

Senior Lily Janas, president of the band and also captain of the volleyball team, remembers the practice well, writing: “Sometimes you practice the same turn a million times. Sometimes your lungs burn and your legs ache. But at the end of the day, there will be…a perfect turn, a street full of fans, a moment of lift and the mountains in the distance as a sign of victory, and that is what makes it all worth it. We rise before the sun, but we rise together as one, as the Homewood Patriot Marching Band.”

Did you catch that? Lily is both in the band and a member of the volleyball team. “We’re a little bit different in that we allow every student to be in the band, regardless of other commitments,” says Chris. “Every single sport is represented in the band—varsity football, cheerleading, volleyball, every sport. Lily represents the true spirit of our school system’s philosophy: a well-rounded student who excels in athletics, fine arts, and academics and is able to do all of those and not choose. That really makes us stand out from other schools in the area.”

Russell Dearing, a junior alto saxophone player, remembers learning they were first going to march when he was still in eighth grade. All the hard work finally paid off: “I probably heard one more mile 20 times,” he says. “But once we got to the big statement turn toward the end, that was the climax. The image of the mountains, snowcapped tips glimmering in the sunlight—it was the best reward I could have received. Later that night, we had a celebration for all the hard work we had put in. I’m incredibly thankful for Mr. Cooper and all the work he had us put in.”

Junior Watson Lee, one of five drum majors, agrees. “Our assistant director, Mr. Pence, sums up the mission of the band best: We’re in the business of making memories, and this trip was full of them. I’d say my favorite was doing our warm-up routine in a huge parking garage. I lost about a decade of hearing from how loud it was, but it was really special getting to hear absolutely every note played amplified 20 times.”

Olivia Tetralogy of Fallot Patient Olivia Tetralogy of Fallot Patient

was actually through her leg. MENDING HER The path to HEART was actually through her leg. MENDING HER The path to HEART

Olivia was born with a congenital heart defect requiring open heart surgery at 3 months old. She also required a second Olivia was born with a congenital heart defect requiring open surgery as a teen to replace her pulmonary valve – but this time heart surgery at 3 months old. She also required a second they went through a vein in her leg to insert the Harmony surgery as a teen to replace her pulmonary valve – but this time Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve in her heart. This less-invasive they went through a vein in her leg to insert the Harmony path to replacement shortened her recovery time, and she went Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve in her heart. This less-invasive home the next day. Olivia was the first pediatric patient in the path to replacement shortened her recovery time, and she went southeast to receive the Harmony valve, and it was here at home the next day. Olivia was the first pediatric patient in the Children’s of Alabama. southeast to receive the Harmony valve, and it was here at Children’s of Alabama.

To learn more visit ChildrensAL.org/heartTo learn more visit ChildrensAL.org/heart

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