MARCHING ON TO EXCELLENCE

Liberty Hill High School Band captures area title

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH, STAFF WRITER

When Shawn Murphy arrived to take the reins of the Liberty Hill marching band in the fall of 2021, he had a vision for what he wanted his new outfit to look like when it performed under the lights on a Friday night.

It was an ambitious one that would take time to implement – or so he thought, anyway.

“At the beginning, I had a five-year plan for what we wanted to accomplish,” said Murphy. “So, we’re a little bit ahead of that.”

This fall, the Panthers band advanced to and won an area championship in only Murphy’s second year in charge – the furthest a band could go in a year when the UIL isn’t staging a state championship.

The band has put on a program entitled “American Soldier”, a tribute to military service members complete with visuals and sound effects to simulate soldiers moving around a battlefield to go with an original score.

According to Murphy, selecting the proper subject content for a program is a critical element in producing a successful show.

“You have to make sure you know your audience and what’s right for them,” said Murphy. “Last season, we did the (former Liberty Hill head football coach) Jeff Walker tribute with the same idea.”

However, the tipping point for tailoring this year’s show was an occurrence from last football season that left quite an impression on Murphy, he said.

“We had a home game right after the Marines were killed overseas,” he said, of the Aug. 26 suicide bombing that took the lives of 13 service members at the Kabul, Afghanistan, airport, including Army, Marines and Navy personnel. “The players ran out onto the field carrying flags from the different services and it was such a moving moment for me – that was when the wheels started turning in my head.”

Murphy added that a family tradition of military service also influenced the choice.

“My dad was in the Army right after Vietnam and my grandfather was in the Navy during World War II,” he said. “I grew up hearing stories from them about the camaraderie of the guys they served with – I realized at a young age how lucky we are to be living in this country.”

(Above) LHHS marching band captured an area championship recently with its show “American Soldier”. (Below left) Each section of the band must be coordinated separately, then orchestrated with the others in forming a cohesive performance (Below right) Director Shawn Murphy has organized his musicians into an award-winning unit in just over a year since taking over the program. PHOTOS BY ALEX RUBIO

Having a blueprint

Imagine what it would be like to coach three football teams worth of players all at once and one gets somewhat of an idea of the scope of Murphy’s responsibilities for the 130 members of the Liberty Hill marching band.

As for determining what are realistic goals for them as a unit, Murphy said it’s an ever-changing blueprint.

“What we’re trying to do is always a moving target,” he said. “We don’t aim for what we’re capable of at the beginning of the year, but what we’ll be able to do by the end – in other words, what’s achievable with work.”

Murphy uses a method that involves first mastering the basics before expecting his musicians to be able to grasp more complicated schemes – one that isn’t all that different from what those they share the gridiron with do, he said.

“Early on in the year, we go slow, like a stripped-down playbook, so to speak,” said Murphy. “After that, we begin to add in wrinkles as they get more confident.”

Of course, along with that comes the synchronicity that is expected from a marching band moving in precision.

“It’s all about doing the same thing, the same way at the same time,” he said. “The bands that do that best are the ones that get rewarded.”

Relentless reworking

Just like a football team will review film after games to evaluate its performance, the band does the same thing.

“Every Monday we look at film of our last performance – we’re always adding or changing something based on what we see,” said Murphy. “The kids come in and expect that – it’s critical to be able to tailor your show to the strengths of the band we have.”

Murphy certainly isn’t alone in the pursuit of excellence, as assistant directors Ashlynne Turner (woodwinds), Justin Zimmerman (percussion) and Evan Turner (color guard) each have their own area of expertise – much like assistant coaches that specialize in particular positions on the field.

“Our job is to teach them,” said Murphy, who oversees the brass section. “With our system, we can make them better and they become better because they have to. We have our sights set on being a state-finalist band and our success this year sets us up for the future.”

Murphy said the band’s accomplishments this year are a testament to the work ethic and desire of everyone involved.

“We couldn’t have done what we’re doing now 12 months ago,” he said. “We have the elements, so now all we need to do is push ourselves higher – the pieces are in place and that’s when the magic starts to happen.”

Support system

Murphy attributed much of the band’s success to the legions of supporters it has in backing them up with whatever they need.

“Our kids are ready to be good,” he said. “All they need is a system and the support to go along with it and our booster club serves in that role.”

In addition, the seeds for high school success are sown at the middle school level, with band director Michelle Scroggie and assistant Jared Clarkson at Liberty Hill Middle School, and Lisa Hill and John Perrin in the same roles at Santa Rita Middle School. They are grooming the next generation of Purple-and-Gold marchers, said Murphy.

“We have middle school kids that can’t wait to be in the high school band,” he said. “It’s a great time to be a Panther.”

Murphy said the high standards that for so long have been part of the Panthers athletic program is starting to spill over into other areas.

“Liberty Hill is a special place – we want to be good at everything – and that includes fine arts and band,” he said. “I believe we’re in the right place at the right time to do well.”