BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Bentonville High School Band is leaving Wednesday to compete at Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“We're going to travel overnight on Wednesday. We're going to get there on Thursday morning and rehearse right off the bus … That's just to get our minds prepared for what we're about to go into because we are performing at Lucas Oil Stadium, so that's a really big venue,” said Tim Hendrix, Director of Bands.
Members and directors of the Bentonville Pride say hard work and teamwork got them where they are today.
“They work hard. I mean, we make it no secret. We put a lot of time into what we're doing,” Hendrix said.
The trip to Grand Nationals comes after clocking more than 250 hours of rehearsal through many hot summer days and after-school practices— a time commitment senior clarinet player Carson Clark says is well worth it.
“If you're really in it, it makes the payoff so much more worth it because of how much time you've put in. What’s cool is that there's so many of us that are all around each other so much, the camaraderie is insane,” Clark said.
He says this weekend is about celebrating the hard work the 100 other bands at the competition have put in, too.
“We’re all here to support each other. Unlike a lot of sports out there, there's no defense for this kind of thing. All you can do is the best that you can do, and it's awesome to come together as a community,” Clark said.
Senior color guard member Sarah Palmer attended Grand Nationals during her sophomore year.
“It’s so exciting to go back after being so young the first time I went. Just knowing everything that I know, being in the place that I’m in, being so much better as a person and a performer, that's the most exciting part,” Palmer said.
Hendrix says seeing that growth in students is the greatest accomplishment.
“That’s the best part, it's all about seeing how kids change throughout the year. We've had freshmen who come to us who've never taken an away trip, and then all of a sudden, they're just responsible young adults. That transformation is what's cool about what the organization does for kids,” Hendrix said.
The band ended up being 9th at the BOA Grand Nationals.
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