By Traci Chapman
Managing Editor
Okarche Public School District’s 54 students will have a million dollar facility soon, as construction on a band room nears completion.
Last week, crews worked to set HVAC units in the new band room, which originally was the cafeteria/gym for the old Okarche Elementary School. Once those units were in place and running, the final step – the facility’s flooring – was expected to be installed, Superintendent Josh Sumrall said last week.
The room is much more than just a simple band room, Sumrall and Okarche band director Russell Harris said. In addition to being large enough to accommodate the district’s currently enrolled 54 students – and more – it also includes four practice rooms, a uniform room, office for Harris and storage.
“it’s an investment in our students and our band program,” the superintendent said.
The room was initially the cafeteria/gymnasium for the old, demolished elementary school. Revamping the building into a $1 million band facility was a benefit because of its location – between the district’s school sites and the ability to also include a dedicated student area.
“It’s great because there’s the small student lounge – a place for students to sit and do homework, eat lunch, hangout,” Harris said. “It’s a special place for them right inside a place dedicated to our band program.”
Okarche High School band members currently play and hold classes in the alcove of that school’s gymnasium. That causes both logistical headaches and takes valuable rehearsal time – a situation solved by having a dedicated band room, Harris said.
“Having our own space is going to be a huge deal for us – currently, we have to put away all of our equipment and get it out and set up during every single rehearsal,” Harris said. “It will also be great to be able to have a set place for students to know where they can practice without disturbing others within the school. On top of that, having our own room means that we will be able to have all of our equipment in one place instead of being spread out between the elementary and high school campuses.”
The change is particularly beneficial to the percussion section, whose large instruments are bulky and can be difficult to move. Those students currently bring their practice instruments to school each day, something they can forego once the new band room is set up, Harris said.
“We will have all of the percussion instruments available during class every day,” the director said. “It will also be nice for the students to have a designated place for their instruments to be stored throughout the day without it moving around in the bag room we currently use.”
The new room is expected to be completed this month, slightly held up because of weather. Once it is finished, Harris and his staff should be able to move into it quickly, Superintendent Sumrall said.
