The Perry Hall Marching Gators (Perry Hall High Marching Band) were told that the program will not be allowed to participate in fall travel competitions as a result of COVID-19 restrictions implemented by BCPS.
BCPS Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn doesn’t support those restrictions and is asking for BCPS to reconsider their decision to allow the band to travel.
She released the following statement:
“This evening I reached out to BCPS central office leadership and asked that the decision to deny Perry Hall’s Marching Band permission to participate in fall travel competitions be reversed.
“The decision does not align with current guidance which permits weekend activities which adhere to mitigation requirements.
“For instance, travel sports ARE permitted. Also, several other nearby school districts are participating in the same outdoor band competitions.
“Outdoor marching band competitions pose no greater health or safety risks than outdoor sports, involve no contact, and are as important to participants as sports are to student athletes.
“They are demanding both physically and mentally and marching band members commit as much, if not more, time to their performance as athletes do to their sports. They have worked hard and deserve these culminating events.”
The Perry Hall Band Boosters page released a statement thanking Henn for her support and explained the disappointment of the students in the band.
“Our Marching Gators have worked very hard on their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Show this year and were looking forward to sharing it with others. To perform for other marching bands is something they have not had the opportunity to do for two years,” said the statement.
“Our Marching Gators have huge hearts and we hate to see them broken.”
