If you are a student here at HHS and have been to any of the recent Hingham High School home football games, you may have heard or seen the HHS band performing during breaks in play. You could be wondering why you have not seen them in years prior, and why suddenly here they are, energizing the crowd and perhaps contributing to Hingham athletics’ recent success.
Many readers may not know this, but our school used to have a full-fledged marching band, complete with matching uniforms and all. They played proudly at every game, demonstrating their support for their school and were loved by students and the entire town alike. However, as the years went by, participation dwindled. Eventually, the pep band faded out of existence. Now, only a few dusty red jackets hanging in a band room closet are the only remnants of the HHS marching band left behind. But what caused numbers to decline, leading to the pep band’s disappearance?
I believe that what is to blame for this decline in participation is that throughout the years, some students have begun to feel embarrassed to be a part of the band due to the unfair generalizations that exist about band students. One of these students, sophomore Ashley Sinkus, explained, “I often feel that when I tell someone I am in a band, they immediately have a kind of reaction along the lines of ‘Really why would you do that?’”
Band kids, especially in movies and TV, are depicted as “weird and nerdy,” and otherwise, just not “normal.” However, these ideas could not be any farther from the truth. The majority of Hingham Band students are also athletes, artists, or a part of a variety of extracurriculars. For many, being in a band is only a fraction of what they do. This fear of false judgment by their peers is I believe to have caused some to shy away from showing off the fact that they are a band student.
The clear significance of the Hingham High band’s presence at the recent football games has been the energy they bring. Madeleine Sweeney, a freshman at the High School describes, “Having the band play when nothing else was going on during the game added so much lively energy to the entire crowd, and I really loved getting to hear songs that I actually know.” The lively atmosphere created by the band boosted the crowd’s excitement, making the game more engaging and fun for everyone. But beyond this, what is the significance of the revival of HHS Pep to the Hingham High community?
Beyond the positive energy brought to the stands, the band’s return is helping to break down those previously discussed inaccurate ideas about band and allowing band students to build a sense of pride for what they do. Hingham High band teacher Mr. Cincotta sums up perfectly, that “[the band playing at recent games] gives the larger community a window into the awesome work we do in class. The band is made up of more than 70 athletes, artists, student council members, actors and club officers, and being visible in the stands with our instruments in our hands shows how essential and connected we are to the overall fabric of this school. It normalizes what we do and who we are and serves as a reminder that we’re a force to be reckoned with. When the student section cheers along to music their peers in the band create, it’s such a clear demonstration of the power of the arts in action.”
This viability helps normalize band participation and shatter unfair stereotypes that have often led students to feel judged about being involved. Band student Casey Salerno, who played the barry saxophone at the recent games remarked, “it’s good that we’re putting ourselves out there this year, because maybe it will reduce the negative stigma around the band.” The return of the band’s presence at school events not only lifts the mood, but shines light on the often overlooked musicians of the school. This connection of the arts to athletics is powerful in demonstrating a sense of overall school wide pride.
So, what’s next for the Pep Band at Hingham High? Mr. Cincotta, and the band hope to continue to play at school and town events throughout the year, working to even further bridge the gap between arts and athletics. And no, there will be no marching band at HHS— not yet at least.
Do you play a sport or participate in an activity that could benefit from some awesome live music by fellow students? Talk to a coach or reach out directly to Mr. Cincotta! HHS pep band hopes to see you soon!
