Through Covid, social distancing, protocols, postponements and cancellations, the Marching Minutemen are not skipping a beat.

The award-winning LCHS Marching Minutemen band experienced many challenges the last three unorthodox school years including the elimination of the traditional overnight band camp, but they have continued to play, entertain and perform at many school and community events.

“I’m happy our marching season went wonderfully,”James Fray, sophomore, said

This year the band is returning to a more normal schedule, and they have played at Morgantown and fairmont spectaculars.

They also led the Homecoming parade, Football games, graduation and more .

They plan to play at the Veterans Day Parade and Christmas Parades in both Weston and Jane Lew.

The highlight of the fall season is their halftime field show.

“The senior show was perfect in only 2 day practice,” Alexa H. Huntz, freshman, said.

This year’s field show is a compilation of the music of legendary musician Sir,Elton John. The band begins with “Funeral for a Friend” then playing “Love Lies Bleeding” and concluding with “Your Song” and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”

Band members have provided the school and community with a sense of normalcy in an otherwise unusual time period.

“My favorite part is the social aspects, and feeling like a team,” Miles Harmann, Freshman, said.

The band is under the direction of Mr. Allen Heath and assistant directors Travis Jewell and Krista Adkins

Junior Tucker Starkey is the Drum Major.

Section leaders are: Frankie Butcher, Zoe Williams, Claire Lattea, Jenna Waugh, Mason Murray, Brooklyn Hefner, Brianna Watson, Elisabeth Wilfong, Mary Turner, McKinley Davis, Colton Turner and Destiny Jenkins.

Members said band is more than just a class eighth period.

“Band isn’t just an art credit; it’s a family we do everything together,” Frankie Butcher, junior, said.

With 12 section leaders and 80 and more band members, The Pride of Lewis County remains committed to music, performances, entertaining and helping the community.

“Band is enjoyable, wonderful and relieves stress.” -Sarah Jean Collins, sophomore, said.

The band has twice stepped in to represent other schools when quarantining and protocols wouldn’t let other bands play.

The Minutemen opened the away season by playing the “National Anthem” for Braxton County High School when their band could not play for their home game.

Last year, the band did a similar feat for Elkins High School when their team could not attend the game, leaving their team without someone to play their “Fight Song”. The Marching Minutemen were quick to help and learned the song to support their rival.

One of the top compliments came from a football referee after the band performed a special 9/11 Memorial and playing of the “National Anthem”. The unknown referee approached Director Heath and told him with a tear in his eye that the band played “the most beautiful” playing of the the National Anthem that he had “ever heard.”