INTERVIEW: John Burgess, Director of Bands at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

Bowen Boyack of KBN: What inspired your musical selections for marching band this year?

John Burgess: I picked the music for this year's show last January.  I wanted to do a show that was fun for the kids to play and march, as well entertaining for the audience to watch.  We did selections from "Grease" and it was the best show I've done in my nine years at Aquinas!  I have a drill writer in Texas that I use he nailed it this year!  Next year's show will be selections from "Mama Mia" and I look forward to an equally entertaining experience!

BB: What Marching competitions did your band go to this year and what ratings did you get?

JB:  We received an Outstanding (1) rating at the Central States Marching Festival and an Excellent (2) rating at the Baker University Marching Festival.  These are the two festival we routinely participate in every year.  

BB: Tell me about the upcoming trips you will be taking in the next 3-4 years.

JB: We will be going to Orlando, Florida next February.  We take a trip every four years.  

BB: What concert band Literature are your bands playing this year?

JB:  We will be performing The British Eighth March (Elliot) and Majestia (Swearingen) for our Large Group Festival in April.  For our annual Spring concert, we will perform those two pieces, plus "The Greatest Showman Medley" (arr. Murtha), plus a piece from next year's Mama Mia marching show, currently TBD at this time.  

BB: Looking forward to 2019, any plans you are willing to share?

JB:  We will have our annual mattress sale fundraiser (best fundraiser ever!) in August.  I will have a Drumline camp in the third week of July, followed by a two-week marching band camp the last week of July/first week of August.  The highlight of the year will be our trip to Orlando in February.

Thank you, Mr. Burgess, and good luck to the STA Bands this year.