December 31, 2020
By: Bill Conger
The DeKalb County High School Fighting Tiger Band didn’t enjoy its typical marching season this year due to restrictions from the pandemic. Originally scheduled for two weeks, band camp, where most of the musical marching show is developed, was cancelled. During the first part of the football season, the band wasn’t allowed to play due to COVID-19 concerns, and many of the competitions were cancelled. On top of that, Band Director Tracy Luna was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and in the interim Assistant Band Director Don Whitt stepped in to the lead spot.
Despite the disappointments, the band moved forward the best it could performing a special tribute show at halftime of Homecoming for Mr. Luna.
“I loved hearing them play in person,” Tracy Luna said. “We are smaller in number this year, but we are mighty in spirit, and it showed on the field.”
“I really hated being away from all of my students,” Luna added. “It means so much to me to see how our band students have kept their chins up this season. It’s been such an unsettling time, but they’ve come through like the champions that they are.”
Band students and boosters showed their love for the devoted band director by donating the $2,000 raised at the Chrome Concert to help Mr. Luna and his family.
“I want to thank all the students, parents and members of the community that came out to support me at the Chrome Concert,” Luna said. “It meant so much to me and my family. My colleagues at the high school and other people in the county showed their support by buying t-shirts and wearing them in my honor on Black and Gold day at the school. It really choked me up seeing people show how much they care.”
While Luna continues to undergo chemotherapy and radiation to attempt to shrink the tumor, the shows will go on for the D.C.H.S. band. For now Acting Director Don Whitt plans to have both a concert band and jazz ensemble for the second semester.
WJLE also is kicking off a four part series on the senior band students—Charlie Ford, Josh Moon, Victor Luna, and James Tramel. Today’s spotlight falls on Charlie Ford.
Music is all in the family for D.C.H.S. Senior Charlie Ford
“I joined band because each of my siblings as well as my parents were in band,” Ford said. “The first show I performed in marching band was also the first time my brother, my two sisters, and I were all performing together.”
Charlie’s brother Sam played trumpet, and his sister Mattie played percussion while Julie played clarinet and was drum major.
Charlie is the 17-year-old son of Jeff and Bobbie Ford. Both his parents are musical too. His dad played trumpet in high-school and at Mississippi State and mom played clarinet and was drum major at her high-school.
Charlie has been playing alto saxophone for eight years.
”I became interested in band in 3rd grade after Sam and Julie both enjoyed a year of band and finally joined in 5th grade.”
“What I enjoy about Charlie is he is an out of the box thinker,” Acting Band Director Don Whitt said. “He can see a situation different than what I see things. He is a very gifted saxophone player.”
“The most challenging part about learning how to play and improve the saxophone is learning the new fingerings for each note,” Ford said. “There are plenty of different notes that use complex fingerings.”
When Charlie plays his last note in high school, he plans to head to Dark Horse to study to become an audio engineer.