By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Difficult times call for difficult decisions to be made.
Union City High School band director Jason Deem knows that first-hand.
Due to continued concerns and precautions taken with the coronavirus pandemic, Deem has made the painstaking call that the widely-decorated Marching Tornadoes will be non-competitive this fall.
Multiple factors went into the decision as Deem met with school administration, Director of Schools Wes Kennedy and the UC Band Boosters executive board before coming to the conclusion that competing in multiple contests as is typically the case was virtually impossible.
“I’ve met with so many people – from administration to other band directors and our own staff – and it would be essentially impossible because of COVID-19,” Deem said. “The health and safety of our students and their families is of the utmost importance and we will not compromise those things.
“Additionally, there are so many uncertainties about whether any competitions will even be held this year because every school and every program has the same concerns that we do. Even if some (competitions) are held, in another state, it’s likely they will not allow out-of-state programs to compete. I just couldn’t validate moving forward as usual.
“It was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make in my 20 years in this business and I’ve stayed up day and night looking at everything. Despite the difficulty, I have no doubt it’s the right call and the smart one.”
Deem also said he could not in good faith spend funds from the booster organization and UC Schools to plan for a fall production that might or might not happen, due to either a lack of competition opportunities or in the event schools are forced to close due to another outbreak. He also noted the pandemic had robbed the program of its biggest fundraiser in the spring when school shut down for the 2019-20 year, March 19.
The veteran director did offer a glimmer of good news, however, as band members are working on a halftime show to be presented at UCHS home football games. Work began in earnest on that presentation Monday – the first day of annual camp.
Specific groups were reporting for practice in shifts and all things band – including the band house – were disinfected and cleaned between groups reporting. Social distancing was also practiced.
“It’ll be a good show … an entertaining show,” Deem shared.
“We’ll do what we have to do to get music education for our students. We’ll use whatever is available to us and we’ll adapt and adjust as the situation continues to be fluid. I just want some sense of normalcy for our kids.”
Band Director Jason Deem