Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Wednesday, October 05, 2011

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The marching bands of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Lafayette high schools will face off three Saturday in October.

Some families are divided by sports allegiances, some by taste in barbecue, and some by politics. In the Putman household, it’s marching band.

Cody plays tuba for Paul Laurence Dunbar High, and younger sister Esther is part of the color guard at Lafayette High. Their bands face off three Saturdays in October, determining who has bragging rights around the breakfast table.

“She does most of the taunting. She has a real competitive spirit,” Cody said one day after practice.

“He wants to win really badly this year because it’s his senior year,” Esther countered. “He wants to make sure I know who’s in charge.”

Odds are both bands will finish at the top of the heap. Dunbar won the Class 5A state title last year, and defending champ Lafayette was runner-up. These two schools have owned the Kentucky Music Educators Association’s marching band contests since 1990, with Lafayette bringing home 16 state titles and Dunbar six.

“It kind of fuels us and gives us a reason to try hard,” Esther said.

Meanwhile, going up against her brother makes for some awkward moments. “We can’t talk too much about our shows at home because it’s like telling secrets,” she said.

What Cody and Esther do know is that their bands will be prepared. Their directors – Jeff Hood at Dunbar and Chuck Smith at Lafayette – ensure it, insisting on precision in movements and clarity in sound.

“I feel really confident about this band, like everyone is in the right mindset,” Cody said. “That’s what makes it so fun to rehearse and see the progress.”

As a freshman, Esther is eager to become part of Fayette County Public Schools’ tradition of excellence in the state contests, which culminate with the Oct. 29 finals in Bowling Green.

“It’s always a big surprise. You can never really guess who’s going to win it,” she said.

With dedicated students like Cody and Esther filling the ranks year after year, FCPS’ marching bands will no doubt remain strong contenders.

“We are thankful to be in this district and have these band programs. We have five amazing programs in this district, so for us to experience two of them is a privilege,” said their mother, Rebecca Putman. “It’s a lot of work having two (children) in two different bands – double the fundraisers, double the fees. It’s hard. I’m not sure I’d recommend this lifestyle for the faint of heart. But it’s really been fun so far.”

Putman and her husband actually insisted that Cody and Esther give marching band a try; sixth-grader Emily will follow their lead.

“I was drum major and he played trumpet in our high school bands, so we’re a band family,” said Putman, who now teaches nearly four dozen piano students in her home. “Marching band is a great way to acclimate kids into high school. They have 200 instant friends and a good support system. They also get to travel and represent their school.”

Cody and Esther “went from being forced to loving it,” she added.

While bassoon is his main instrument, Cody began marching on saxophone and then switched to tuba in his sophomore year because that’s where Dunbar needed him. Emily, who plays oboe, opted for color guard at Lafayette since she’s a dance major in the SCAPA program.

“Once you start to compete and hear people clap for you and cheer, you realize this is where you want to be,” Esther said.

Ultimately, though, for her it’s not all about winning – or even getting the best of her big brother.

“We’re not in this for a medal,” she said. “We’re in it because we take pride in our group.”

Putman is in it because she’s proud of her kids. And during October, she and their dad won’t even have to choose who goes where to support which child – starting with the 21^st annual Bluegrass Pageant of Bands.

“We’re happy there’s three weekends we get to sit in the stands and enjoy,” Putman said.

“And how are we going to decorate the van on the way to state? Right now, we have a flag for both sides.”

If you go

Bluegrass Pageant of Bands

• Who: 10 marching bands from Central Kentucky including Bryan Station, Lafayette and Paul Laurence Dunbar high schools
• When: 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 8
• Where: Bryan Station High School football field, 201 Eastin Road
• Admission: $8 at the gate; free for ages 6 and younger
• Performance schedule
• More details

Kentucky Music Educators Association’s state quarterfinals

• Who: Marching bands competing in the East division of Class 5A
• When: Saturday Oct. 22
• Where: Bryan Station High School
• Contact: BSHS band director Shaun Owens, (859) 381-3311

KMEA state marching band championships

• What: Culminating performances that showcase the intellect, physical skill and artistic expression of some 8,500 students in 134 marching bands from across the Commonwealth. Fayette County bands compete in Class 5A.
• When: Saturday Oct. 29
• Where: Western Kentucky University’s stadium in Bowling Green
• Tickets: www.kmea.org/

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