New band director Joby Miller is making changes, and even has a few surprises up his sleeve.
By Alexis Johnson-Williams
Walking into the stadium, you hear drums smashing, cymbals clashing, and horns blaring. As you turn around, you see the Sound of the Swamp in coordinated green shirts moving together in near-perfect step. As you make your way up to the stands, there’s something off, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Towards the end, you notice it! This isn’t the band director you’ve seen for 16 years. This is the new band director, Mr. Joby Miller.
After 16 years of being Shreve’s band director, Mr. Joe Cagle retired in May. Mr. Miller will lead the charge for the foreseeable future. Miller comes from Mississippi State University, and although he’s never directed a high school band, he’s excited to learn and grow with the members. Starting in middle school, he played the tuba. Miller won many titles in Mississippi throughout his band career. A few of his honors include being named All-State when attending high school and winning the Mississippi 2A State Marching Championship with the high school as a student teacher. Before coming to Shreve, Miller had an opportunity to direct a middle school band.
You may be wondering why he made the switch from Mississippi to Louisiana. Miller wanted to get involved with Louisiana’s band culture, emailing any high school with an opening. Luckily for Miller, Shreve’s administration welcomed him with open arms into The Swamp, allowing him to continue his band pursuits.
What does all of this mean for how the band will be perceived? Miller is bringing in new techniques that Shreve’s band has never seen before. He is taking influences from all over the country.
“The degree of difficulty has increased for the kids with the addition of new and challenging music and formations. They dove in headlong, and I’m proud of where we’re at,” states Miller.
In addition, football games will also be conducted differently. Miller directs halftime shows with more military-style marching. A minor technique he is implementing is called drum core style, which is how the members show their upper body in a straight, rigid position.. The jamboree was a good test run for what the 23-24 season will look like. Miller has been making slight adjustments.
“I hope the changes I make create a better atmosphere for those at the game. We want to be entertaining for the crowd,” Miller shares.
Members of the band like Captain Rylee Fleming are excited to showcase what the band will bring this year. Each section leader has been continuously working since band camp to keep the energy Cagle created alive while also implementing what Miller has brought to the program.
“We all miss Cagle, especially our senior members, but we appreciate Mr. Miller’s technique, and we know it will have an impact in the future,” says Fleming.
The band’s energy will continue to ring throughout The Swamp, adding new potential music hits to the playlist. Previous crowd-favorites like Choppa Style can still be heard in the stands along with new pieces the band has learned.
Miller recognizes the band’s willingness to work: “We have a great group of people ready to put on a show and are excited to showcase what they’ve been working towards. I want everyone to stay tuned for the halftime shows to see the surprises we have in store.”