October 31, 2022
By: Bill Conger
Five seniors at DeKalb County High School marched in their final home football game last Friday night. Eli Martin, Hannah Swoape, Isaac Sasser, Serenity Burgess, and Gavin Conger are in their last year with the D.C.H.S. Fighting Tiger Band. This article features each student and their plans for the future.
17-year-old Eli Martin is the son of Tiffani and Charles Martin. Although Eli has been in band for seven years, he has only marched in guard for two seasons.
“I was interested in joining the band because ever since I was little I always liked watching them perform, and I always wanted do that too,” Martin said. “I also love instrumental music.”
The past two seasons he has marched in guard, spinning all equipment—flag, rifle, and Sabre. This year he moved his way up to Captain.
“He has earned his spot by being a role model that younger members can look up to,” Color Guard Instructor Shannon Johns said. “He has gotten better each year by practicing on his own and always being open to learning new things. Eli promotes a fun and friendly environment for the group and has been an absolute delight to coach.”
“The most challenging thing is probably having to learn new tricks and stuff for our shows,” Martin says. He adds that joining band with his best friend and fellow color guard member, Hannah Swoape was one of his favorite things about being in band as well as doing something he loves with his favorite people. Eli’s goal is to join Drum Corps International and march color guard. In the future he would like to attend flight school to be a flight attendant.
Hannah Swoape, the 17-year-old daughter of Nancy and Troy Hutchison, is the Rifle and Movement Section leader.
“I have been in band for 7 years now,” Swoape said. “I played clarinet my first year in band and ever since I’ve been in color guard, using flag, rifle, and sabre. I was interested in joining band since I got introduced to it in 6th grade when the band played for us at Northside. What I think I enjoy most are the people that make the band amazing and performing in front of people. It makes you feel powerful. One of the most meaningful experiences is getting to know everyone and they become your family. A challenging part would definitely be remembering how to march, count, and do work all at the same time.”
“Hannah Swoape is our most experienced member and has earned her title as Rifle and Movement section leader by always helping others and making sure we look good as a team,” explains Johns. “Hannah excels at all that she is taught and has been an asset to the team. We are so lucky to have her!”
After graduation, Hannah plans to pursue a career in sonography.
“I will miss performing and all of the people that made band the greatest, and Mr. Luna will always be someone I miss in band. He taught me everything I know about music.”
Isaac Sasser, 17, the son of Trey and Savanna Dodds is co-captain and keyboard percussionist. During his two years with the band, he has played piano, vibes, marimba, chimes, 1st/3rd bass drum, and cowbell.
“I initially wanted to play piano but grew to love all the percussion instruments,” Sasser said. “I love playing music, especially in sync with the band.
Sasser says one of the more challenging aspects of being a band member “had to be getting the music down as I had very little experience with music.”
He would like to continue playing music in the future, perhaps at Tennessee Tech where Sasser plans to further his education after completing two year years at Motlow State.
17-year-old Serenity Burgess, the daughter of Josh and Tristen Burgess, is the leader of the band. A 7-year band member, she earned her positon as drum major for the second year in a row.
“I was interested in joining band when I was a kid,” Burgess said. “I thought the marching band was cool. I loved seeing the band perform in the Homecoming and Christmas parades.”
Burgess has been in the band since 6th grade and has also been a member of the color guard and played flute.
“I have enjoyed the friends and family and being able to connect with people on a different level. It’s like communication through music. One of my most meaningful experiences while being in band would be getting drum major. I thought I would try out to see if I was meant for it, and it has turned out amazing.”
After graduation Burgess plans to attend Cumberland University and major in Education for a future career as an elementary school teacher. She still hopes to be involved in music whether playing her flute at home or maybe in a community band.
17-year-old Gavin Conger, the son of Bill and Alyssa Conger, is the Percussion Section leader. This year he plays marimba, drum set, snare drum, bass drum, gong and other percussion accessories. Conger has been with the band since his 7th grade year and played a variety of percussion instruments during his tenure.
“I started playing drums when I was a little kid,” Conger said. “I used boxes around the house and pots and pans my parents would let me use to bang around on.”
“I love playing set most of all and learning the grooves of some of my favorite drummers like Neil Peart of Rush and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.”
Conger hopes to continue playing music in some capacity in the future including possibly with the Cumberland University Marching Band. He’s considering music as a minor but is undecided on his major.