Published: Aug 25, 2010 02:00 AM Modified: Aug 25, 2010 01:25 AM
http://www.thedurhamnews.com/2010/08/25/203250/new-band-in-town.htmlNew band in townMarching Spartans bounce back from adversity 
Leonardo Williams, 29, left, the new head director of bands at Southern High School, counts heads in the band lineup during the first full day's practice for the upcoming school year. HARRY LYNCH -
hlynch@newsobserver.com Bass drummer Demonte Duncan shouts with the cadence on the drum line during practice. HARRY LYNCH -
hlynch@newsobserver.com BY VIRGINIA BRIDGES, Correspondent
At the end of school last year, many Southern High School students thought the marching band known as the
"Symphonic Soul of the South" was a thing of the past.
The Marching Spartans had faced some big challenges, such as the turnover of five directors over seven years. They included Jamal Butler, who stepped into the band leader position in August 2007, but resigned in January 2009 after being charged with two counts of sexual offense with students. Butler pleaded guilty July 7, and was sentenced to up to 15 months in jail and 36 months of supervised probation, according to court records.
So when students learned in June that Butler's replacement, Andrew George, wouldn't return for the 2010-11 school year, some saw it as the final nail in the coffin for the Marching Spartans.
"I felt bad because, you know, band is like my heart, my scholarship," said incoming senior Grier Johnson, 17.
But earlier this month, about 40 band members marched in the late-afternoon heat from the high school into the Stone Hill neighborhood.
"Left. Left. Left, right, left," they chanted. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. We are the marching Spartans, and you can't mess with us."
The exercise had multiple purposes. The students needed practice marching. They needed to get in shape. And they needed to tell the community they are back but need support, said Leonardo Williams, 29, who left his band director job at Shepard Middle School to lead the Marching Spartans.
"I just didn't want this program to go through any more of these," said
Williams, an alumnus of N.C. Central's Marching Sound Machine. "Whether it was something bad that happened or good that happened. Whatever it was, there have been five band directors in the past seven years. And that is a problem. That really kills the growth of a program. You are killing the opportunity to build relationships."
'New sheriff'When band camp started July 26, about 13 students showed up, Williams said.
"Most people thought there wasn't going to be a band. And it took me calling houses, visiting houses, going out into the community and putting the word out," Williams said. "Southern has a band. There is a new sheriff in town."
He talked to parents. He called band directors from across the state, searching for surplus instruments for the school with few or no instruments. He re-kindled the band boosters, and set goals that include the band competing, traveling to away football games, and raising money for a three-city performance tour to the Dominican Republic.
Before the students set out to march into the community, Williams stood before them in the band room. This wasn't about building a band, he said. It was about building leaders.
"Band is as an avenue of motivation for you all to become the leaders of tomorrow. That's why I am here," he said. "I am not here to make you the best band. You are going to do that anyway. I am thinking past the end of the season. I am thinking about your life and the generation coming after you."
After about 15 minutes of marching, the band stepped off campus and crossed Freeman Road about 6:30 p.m. They lined up on Obsidian Way, a main street that winds through the Stone Hill subdivision.
"We are about to wake this neighborhood up," Williams said. "We want to just reach out, and hope the community reaches back in."
'Find Your Love'The drums began to bump. The dancers and flag girls pranced forward, as Southern's version of Canadian hip-hop artist Drake's "Find Your Love," filled the neighborhood.
Curtains were pulled back. People peaked out their front doors, walked into the yard to dance, and gathered the family to watch the Marching Spartans roll by.
Williams ran from neighbor to neighbor, explaining this was Southern High's marching band and it needed their support.
"Call the school and ask for Leonardo Williams," he said. Or go to the Web site."By the time the band passed Brenda Laws' home, she was standing outside dancing. Laws had heard the band for 30 minutes before she realized it was actually in her neighborhood.
"Oh my god," she said. "This is nice."As they marched past, Laws followed, along with Anthony Henderson, 11, who led a handful of youngsters trailing the band.
"It's good," Anthony said. "They can play."
After the more than one-mile march, the students returned to the band room. Williams stood beaming. He reported that the residents said they wanted to come to the first game, they wanted to bring the family, and they had asked how they could support the band.
The Marching Spartans gave the neighborhood a story to tell, and inspired future band members, he said.
"We are just getting started folks," he said. "This is intensity. I don't know about the past, and I don't really care about the past. ... This is a new band. This is a new program. This is a new beginning. And you are a part of it, and you are making history."virginiabridges@gmail.com or 251-923-6630
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