By Amy Wallot
amy.wallot@education.ky.gov

 

What an exciting opportunity for the Franklin County High School marching band.

As we all know, the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team is the NCAA Division I National Champion. Coach John Calipari took the trophy on a tour around the state last week, including a stop in Frankfort. Franklin County High School band director Dave Shelton got a call from the governor’s office Thursday asking if the band could play for the event Friday. The next 24 hours was spent practicing and preparing, including learning the UK fight song.

The band entertained the crowd on the Old Capitol lawn with upbeat music for 45 minutes while they waited for the coach to arrive, much longer than the eight minutes of a halftime show. They sounded great, the crowd loved them and they will surely have another great memory of their high school band experience.

Band director Dave Shelton joins in on the trumpet with the Franklin County High School marching band as entertainment for the waiting Kentucky fans. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Band director Dave Shelton joins in on the trumpet with the Franklin County High School marching band as they entertained the waiting Kentucky fans. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Wearing a blue flower and a friend's Kentucky hat, junior Nikki Harney plays the piccolo on the lawn of the Old Capitol. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Wearing a blue flower and a friend’s UK hat, junior Nikki Harney plays the piccolo on the lawn of the Old Capitol. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

A rarity, senior Sadie Meyer plays the violin with the Franklin County High School marching band. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Senior Sadie Meyer plays the violin – a rarity – with the Franklin County High School marching band. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Sophomores Ki-Jana Taylor and Deonte Watson lead the band in a dance to Pick Up the Pieces by the Average White Band on the lawn of the Old Capitol.

Sophomores Ki-Jana Taylor and Deonte Watson lead the band in a dance to Pick Up the Pieces by the Average White Band on the lawn of the Old Capitol. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Junior Hasaamnj Hart takes a pause from the clarinet to sing with the Franklin County High School marching band. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 12, 2013

Junior Hasaamnj Hart takes a pause from the clarinet to sing with the Franklin County High School marching band. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 12, 2013

Senior Josh McCoin performs with the Franklin County High School marching band before Kentucky coach John Calipari arrived by train to downtown Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Senior Josh McCoin performs with the Franklin County High School marching band before UK basketball  coach John Calipari arrived by train to downtown Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Junior Ella Klemens claps along as the percussion section keeps the music going. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Junior Ella Klemens claps along as the percussion section keeps the music going. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Denver Pascua and Tommy Townsend play the trombones for the Franklin County High School marching band while area residents wait for Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari to arrive at the Old Capitol in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Denver Pascua and Tommy Townsend play the trombones for the Franklin County High School marching band while area residents wait for UK basketball coach John Calipari to arrive at the Old Capitol in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012

Classes from Second Street School (Frankfort Ind.) wait for Kentucky coach John Calipari to walk past, hoping for an autograph. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012.

Classes from Second Street School (Frankfort Ind.) wait for UK coach John Calipari to walk past, hoping for an autograph.  Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012.

Fourth-grade students Kennadi Woods and Kennadie Prickett sport markered-on blue unibrows. Both are Second Street School (Frankfort Ind.) students in Megan Murray's class. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012.

Fourth-grade students Kennadi Woods and Kennadie Prickett sport markered-on blue unibrows. Both are Second Street School (Frankfort Ind.) students in Megan Murray’s class. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012.

The Men's Basketball National Championship trophy is carried to the steps of the Old Capitol as fans gather to catch a glimpse. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012.

The Men’s Basketball National Championship trophy is carried to the steps of the Old Capitol as fans gather to catch a glimpse. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012.

UK basketball coach John Calipari speaks to the crowd about his winning team and the importance of fan support. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012.

UK basketball coach John Calipari speaks to the crowd about his winning team and the importance of fan support. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 13, 2012.