Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Dr. Heath, The Spirit of the Old Gold and Black Continue Growth on Local & National Stage
3/16/2021 12:00:00 PM | General
Five members participated in the College Band Directors National Association Intercollegiate Marching Band, which played virtually for the College Football Playoff National Championship halftime show in January.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Despite a myriad of COVID-19 obstacles, the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black found ways to persevere and perform at Wake Forest Athletics events throughout the 2020-21 academic year. Additionally, five of its members participated in the College Band Directors National Association Intercollegiate Marching Band, which played virtually for the College Football Playoff National Championship halftime show.
"The students were very grateful for the opportunity to come back together," Wake Forest Director of Athletic Bands Dr. Tim Heath said. "Flexibility and gratitude have been the two keywords that we have used — it is almost our mantra for the year. We were grateful to be able to do what we do even if modified, but we had to be flexible to be able to do it.
"Going into the fall our students were so excited for the opportunity to return and just to get together as a band, and then be a part of the football games to be there and participate in our role — even if it's a modified version of that."
Given the uniqueness of this academic year, there was some concern among the ensemble members about their ability to get together and perform.
"Obviously going into this academic school year we were uncertain about a lot of things," Heath explained. "I think one of the things that I talk to my students about the most during the summer was that flexibility is going to have to be something that we are aware of this entire year because there are so many uncertainties. Things change at a very fast pace right now."
Senior Tanner Bailey, who plays the snare drum, was included as a leader with Dr. Heath on protocols and strategies to get back together while navigating the pandemic.
"I live an hour away, in Wilkesboro, N.C.," Bailey said. "So that allowed me to meet up with Dr. Heath when needed. He was up-front with me being a part of the planning process.
"When I first joined, I was thankful for the opportunity, and hoped that I would be able to be part of leadership. I got to do that this year, and it was great. The leadership team is so professional and excellent. Dr. Heath always asks for our input. It's not just his show. He's looking for suggestions, but knows when he has to take control."
As a full band, they reassembled in short order once returning to campus for the fall semester.
"It felt wonderful," Bailey said. "As a full band, we joined back just a couple days after freshmen move-in day. It felt amazing when we finally got together in the late part of the summer. It was great to get back into the groove of things."
The next step was determining how to get back at Truist Field and inside Joel Coliseum to participate at home football and basketball games, an activity that truly adds an advantage for the Demon Deacons on the field and hardwood.
"This summer we met with the epidemiologists that were advising the University on best practices for safety as well as the student health director," Heath said. "In our profession we had empirical research studies that provided data on best practices and safety for instruments. We took the precautions of going 10 feet in between each player just because that was the highest number that they had recommended in the study of specific instruments. Additionally, we implemented a bell cover for our instruments."
The ensemble also stays masked at all times when at all possible, according to Heath.
"The students love the bell covers and I think others do because now you see the WF logo all the way across the ensemble," he said. "So the bell covers are going to stay just because I think it's a great way to continue to promote our University."
As the football season came to a close, Bailey, along with senior Gretchen Boyles (trombone) and three sophomores, Emily McDonald (clarinet), Cole Nikas (tuba) and India Wood (color guard) were chosen among roughly 1,500 performers from 200 bands in 45 states and Puerto Rico for a performance of "End of Time" by Beyonce that was played on the video boards during halftime of the CFP title game between Ohio State and Alabama.
A video of the performance is available on YouTube here.
"It was cool to collaborate with people from across the country, and I was thrilled to represent Wake Forest," Bailey said. "We really enjoyed it and the music was fun to learn."
Heath took over as director in July 2019 with aggressive plans for retention and expansion of the ensemble. Those plans might have been slowed slightly because of the pandemic, but have certainly not been forgotten.
"I can say confidently they have not been thrown away and they are still there," he said. "From a cultural standpoint going into year two, I had ambitious goals and ideas that just were not attainable right now. But it has allowed us an opportunity to step back and to really implement the things that we were wanting to do three-to-four years in the program much earlier because we had time and space.
"Moving forward now we are back in our ambitious goals of recruiting. We are working on multiple aspects for recruiting platforms such as the development of our social media platforms and building more relationships with our local students, and focusing on retention."
Working directly with Heath the last two years has made a believer out of Bailey.
"The only thing this pandemic did to Dr. Heath's plans was stall them," he said. "I see the band program going only up from here. He's a true professional and I have bonded with him personally, and appreciate what he stands for. He has a lot of passion, and that's had an impact on the culture of the band."
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