Mainland marching band returns to the field to continue the Buc tradition

Mainland Band director Gregory Dukes points to consistency and teamwork as the keys to the band's success.

  • Daytona Beach
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The Mainland Marching Band returned to the field at their first performance of the year Friday, Aug.14, under the lights at Osceola High School. 

For years the band has been a staple at the Mainland football games with high energy, award-winning performances on the field and in the stands. Band members dance, sing, and play instruments, sometimes all at once, and have 30-40 songs memorized and performance ready after 3 weeks of practice. 

The Bucs have been led by director Gregory Dukes since 2019. Since Dukes became the director, the band has received 12 Superior ratings at the Musical Performance Assessments, including awards for marching season, concert season, and Jazz ensemble.

“If we teach them the right fundamentals, they’ll play all music great — whatever’s put in front of them,” Dukes said. 

It’s the Mainland way. It’s the way that Dukes approaches his work. 

“Buc pride never dies,” Dukes said.

Before Dukes was the Mainland High School Band director, he was a member of the band. He graduated in 1999 and played percussion under the direction of Dr. Jerry Picott. Now, he carries on that legacy through his leadership of the current Mainland High School Band members. 

“The greatest award is watching students grow and accomplish things. Not the superiors that are on the wall. It’s watching students develop and grow from what they’re being taught,” Dukes said.

He attributes the band’s success to consistency and working together as a group. He has a team of two drum majors and section leaders who work to inspire other students to live up to the Mainland band standards of operation. 

“Something that inspires me is wanting to be better for my section,” said Essence Harper, the trumpet section leader. “I want to set an example for them and push all the way through so that they can get to that point too. I hope they feel inspired and passionate about their own music career and goals for themselves.” 

Having students hold other students accountable and encourage each other to run a tight ship is expected.  

Head Drum Major Brandon Riddick listed a few things that band members are required to do. 

“Having the most energy, being disciplined and not acting out during class, during sectional, or practice," Riddick said. “Be the best of the best."

One band leader said that the way the band is united in their efforts is directly connected to their performance. 

“I believe that the greatest quality we have is the sound that we can produce” Drum Major Alanna Nelson said. “[That’s] because it comes with the connection within the sections and the band and everything that everybody has with each other. So, whenever we all can have the connection, it causes us all to have a better sound in general.”

 

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