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The Helena High School Marching Band performed its 2018 field show in front of friends and family at a premier night on Tuesday, Aug. 21 at Husky Stadium. (Reporter Photos/Keith McCoy)

By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–As a light breeze rolled through Husky Stadium on the campus of Helena High School the night of Tuesday, Aug. 21, friends and family settled into their seats to see a show HHS Marching Band students have been working on for months.

Just three days before the Helena High School varsity football team kicks off the season at McAdory, the HHS Marching Band performed its 2018 halftime field show for the first time in front of a large audience on premier night.

Prior to the premier show, HHS Band Director Jeff Burnside introduced band staff members, drum majors and addressed the crowd telling them just how hard band students have worked prior to the season.

“Let me tell you, for those of you who have never done band stuff, what they’re doing is really difficult,” Burnside said. “Imagine that you have to walk around your house and hit a certain spot on a certain count where you sing a certain thing in a language you don’t necessarily know and you’re listening for a message on the TV as three different conversations are going on and you can’t miss any of it. When you can do that, you can almost do what they’re doing on the field.”

Once the premier show began, more than 230 band students performed the “Southern Spectacular” field show that featured classics such as “Georgia on My Mind,” “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” and “My Home’s in Alabama.”

Following the show, parents were treated to an ice cream social and were encouraged to help volunteer for the band in a number of different ways. Parents may help volunteer with the Helena High School Band Boosters by assisting with social media, concession stands, equipment, chaperoning, fundraising, social events, uniforms or at the upcoming Shelby County Band Showcase.

The Helena High School varsity football team will open the season on Friday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. on the road against McAdory where the band will perform Southern Spectacular at halftime.

For more information on the Helena High School Marching Band, visit Helenahighband.com.

To view or purchase more pictures from the premier night, visit Shelbycountyphotos.com.

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