Marching to the Beat
Photo by Britne Hammons
CHS Senior Jared Miller practices on his alto saxophone while CHS Band Director Mike Bartley looks on
CHS Band hits right notes
Walking into the Canton High School Band hall, one could see the plentiful trophies and awards displayed or brass tubas waiting patiently in a corner. If visitors are really lucky, they might get serenaded by the smooth and throaty notes of an alto saxophone being played by senior band student Jared Miller.
Canton High School Band Director Mike Bartley hears a multitude of musical notes a day, whether it be from the percussion line or the delicate notes of a flute.
Bartley’s office at Canton High School has a front stage ticket to the band hall of CHS, where students come to learn, play notes and leave with the appreciation of music firmly tucked in their being.
Bartley served under the infamous Rob Toups, who pushed the Canton’s band department farther than it had ever been, claiming numerous titles and championships during his career. In 2014, Toups announced his retirement and Bartley was appointed Canton High School band director.
“I worked under Toups and when he retired, I was excited, nervous and most of all grateful for the opportunity that I was presented with. Canton has a unique community that wholeheartedly supports the band department as well as the athletic department,” Bartley said.
Interest in the band program starts at an early age at Canton ISD, and the science behind “who plays what,” isn’t that tricky at all.
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