With the possible exception of gold-medal winning track star Maurice Greene, F.L. Schlagle High School in the Kansas City, Kan., might be most well-known for its marching band.
This year is no different: the band has gotten off to a quick start on its busy schedule this year.
The band made one of its first performances at the Apple Fest last weekend.
Band director Reginald May, a graduate of Florida A&M University, has led the band for years.
“We have a young band this year,” he said. “But we have a small nucleus of key leaders. It is good to have that mix.”
May said the older students help the younger performers, and, in effect, they’re mentoring their eventual replacements.
“We keep the tradition going,” May said. “We really do have a family environment and it’s an extended family. That help continues the tradition of keeping our band going.”
Along with a having a talented band in the music room, the students also perform well in the classroom.
“We have at least eight Kaufman Scholars on this year’s band,” May said.
Later this year, the Marching Stallions will perform in the new stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., at a music festival. The band will also perform as the Florida Gators pep band in a non-conference college basketball tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.
The band also tours in the south, where many of the great marching bands in college are located. Last year, the band hit the West Coast.
“We do about 40 to 50 performances throughout the year,” May said.
Based on these performances, the band has developed a bit of a national following, leading to a number of requests and opportunities.
“Many people call us, wanting us to perform,” May said.
The Marching Stallions have also formed an Internet following. It has its own myspace.com page, where fans can leave messages, pictures and videos. The site has about 200 “friends.”
Additionally, numerous videos featuring performances of the band can be found on the video hosting Web site YouTube.
