October 26, 2018
By: Bill Conger
Three seniors with the DeKalb County High School Fighting Tiger Marching Band take to the football field for the final time tonight (Oct. 26). In the first part of a three-part series, WJLE talks with Harley Sloan. The daughter of Misty Walden and Darrell Sloan, she has played alto saxophone her final two years of high school. Harley first made her way to the band room thanks to her boyfriend, drum major Axel Rico.
“I’ve always really loved music, but I never knew how to put myself out there to get into it until I met Axel,” Sloan says. “Since he’s been in band, I was around it more, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”
Harley was drawn to the sound of the sax.
“I’ve always liked the lower sound I guess you could say,” explains Harley. “It made me like that instrument more than any of the other ones.”
Learning the brass instrument was enjoyable but challenging.
“When I first joined, I didn’t know how to read music, and so I had to memorize everything,” she says. “What was most challenging to me was memorizing all the music and marching with it at the same time. After a few runs, you get the hang of it.”
Sloan says she’s enjoyed practicing the field show and going to the football games with her friends. Although she’ll be departing D-C-H-S next May, she hopes music will still be a part of her life.
“I’m going to college and become a nurse,” says Sloan. “Depending on the college [I attend], maybe I can be in their marching band, hopefully. I love music.”
Tomorrow we’ll feature award-winning drum major Axel Rico. The band travels to Seymour, Tennessee Saturday to play in the Foothills Classic.