The Patriot Marching band is one of the biggest collections of students at Pinecrest. One of those students is senior Courtney Olvey. Olvey has been part of marching band for four years, and she’s been involved with concert band for two years.

 

“My grandmother was a musician and my mom played flute in high school,” Olvey said.

 

Olvey manages her time wisely by dividing up tasks by their priority. Olvey practices the flute on her own time as well during band practices. Olvey wants to continue on with marching band when she goes to college, but she does not want to pursue band as a career.

 

“I have loved every minute of it. You make great friendships, and I never regret my decision to join and participate in band,” Olvey said.

 

On a typical day, Olvey is a teacher assistance for Mr. Eugene Cottrell. She helps with concert band. Then Olvey continues throughout her day on her other schoolwork. For her last period, Olvey has marching band. She practices her flute at home, and she works on schoolwork. Olvey prepares herself for the competitions in the future.

 

On November 4, 2017, Olvey had taken the SAT as well as compete in a band competition at Lee Senior Brick Capital Classic. She arrived at the school at 7:45 am to take the test. The test lasted four and a half hours. After she finished the test, she joined the band for lunch until the band meeting at 1:30 pm. During this meeting, the band members talked about their performance.

 

At 2:15 pm, the band members placed their supplies in the band truck, and then they went to Lee Senior.

 

At 3:15 pm, Olvey arrived at Lee Senior, and she prepared for the performanced and changed into her band uniform. Then at 4:30 pm the band began to warm up for the performance. At 5:20 pm, the band set up on stage, and they began their performance at 5:30 pm.

 

After the performance, Olvey stayed in her uniform. The seniors and the drum major stayed in their uniforms while the others changed.

 

Olvey stayed at the competition and watched the other schools perform. Then at 7:05 pm the award ceremony began. The band placed first in the 4A placement, marching, and music. They also placed second in visual ensemble, drum major, percussion, and general effect. The band received a superior rating overall.

 

After the award ceremony, Olvey and the band pulled out of Lee Senior at 8:00 pm, and arrived at Pinecrest at 8:45 pm.