CHS Band To Perform In Washington, D.C.
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
by Janice Penix
The Clarksville High School Marching Panther Band has been officially selected to represent the state of Arkansas in Washington, D.C., at the 2026 National Memorial Day Parade, as the nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of American independence.
The group is approximately $25,000 away from its fundraising goal and is seeking donations to help members meet their goal of performing on the national stage and representing Clarksville in the historic celebration.
“This journey signifies more than a trip,” CHS Director of Bands Danielle Hodges said. “It represents the band reaching new heights and stepping into a higher level of musical achievement. Performing at premier national events affirms the ensemble’s growth, professionalism, and recognition as ambassadors of both our community and our state.”
In addition to the parade, which will be held along Constitution Avenue, the Clarksville Panther Jazz Band will perform at the Lincoln Memorial.
The CHS band was selected through a rigorous review of video and audio recordings to represent Arkansas, and Johnson County, on a national stage.
“This extraordinary honor marks a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our students, one that reflects years of dedication, discipline, and musical excellence,” Hodges said.
While the band has previously traveled to Washington, D.C., Hodges said this occasion is unprecedented, as it is the first time the Clarksville band been chosen to represent the state of Arkansas in a national parade, or to perform at the historically significant site of the National Mall, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
“Additionally, being entrusted with the solemn duty of laying a wreath in honor of Arkansas at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a prestigious first in the band’s history, an honor reserved for only a select few ensembles nationwide,” Hodges said.
The concert band will present selections from some of America’s most iconic and historic marches, including “Gallant Marines” by Karl King, along with John Philip Sousa’s “The Washington Post March” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The jazz band will perform a selection of jazz standards, complemented by two deeply meaningful dedication pieces, “Long Lost Friend” by George Shutack will feature senior trumpet soloist Peyton Leeds, while “Untold Story” by Doug Beach and George Shutack will highlight senior trombone soloist Aarick Cruz.
The CHS band ensemble includes 75 senior high band members in grades 10-12. The trip also features the participation of a select group of younger students, exceptional musicians who perform at an advanced level and regularly play alongside the jazz band, Hodges said.
“In the Clarksville band, our mission is simple yet powerful: to create exceptional musical experiences while fostering lifelong memories and friendships,” Hodges said. “Our students embody what it means to be servant-minded — tenacious in their work, joyful in spirit, and deeply committed to their school and community. They take great pride in using their music to create meaningful and fun experiences for others, whether performing at the Levee, marching in community parades, energizing pep rallies, or sharing music with residents at local nursing homes. Any moment that brings joy, connection, or a smile to someone’s day is a moment they cherish.”
The Clarksville band program has seen an increase in enrollment in recent years, with over 350 students participating, one of the largest high school and junior high bands in school history.
“Our band members possess tremendous Panther spirit, wholeheartedly supporting our teams and representing Clarksville with pride,” Hodges said. “More importantly, they are simply outstanding young people — musicians with a genuine heart to serve and an even stronger heart to play.”
The Clarksville Band Boosters are key supporters in the band’s success, Hodges said, and have assisted with numerous fundraising efforts for the Washington, D.C., trip in addition to other yearly activities.
“The Clarksville Band Boosters play an indispensable role in both the planning and financial support of this trip,” she said. “Through tireless organization, countless volunteer hours, and dedicated fundraising efforts, the Boosters have worked for the past three years to help make this opportunity possible — raising funds that will cover nearly half of the total cost of the trip. Their unwavering commitment has been essential to turning this ambitious experience into a reality for our students.
“Beyond this trip, the Clarksville Band Boosters serve as the backbone of the program, coordinating community efforts and providing vital support to meet student needs. From helping feed students while traveling and events to assisting with uniforms, equipment, and logistics, their impact is felt every day. Their generosity and service ensure that Clarksville band students are supported, prepared, and able to focus on what matters most: making music together at the highest level.”
In addition to their performances, CHS band students will also participate in educational activities while in the nation’s capital, including laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery; visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; honoring lives lost at the Pentagon Memorial; attending a service at the National Cathedral; exploring the National Air and Space Museum; visiting the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Vietnam Memorials; seeing the Washington Monument; and touring the United States Capitol.
“This experience will not only leave a lasting impression on our students, but will also inspire them as musicians, citizens, and leaders for years to come,” Hodges said.
Donations for the CHS Band can be made at First Security Bank in Clarksville or by calling Clarksville High School at 479-705-3212.
Read this story and others in the April 15 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
Drum majors Aaron Arrendondo (left) and Danielle Dickerson, along with twirler Khloe Muldoon (center), lead the CHS Marching Panther Band into the stadium at a Panther football game last fall. The band is raising funds to travel to Washington, D.C., this summer to represent Arkansas in the National Memorial Day Parade.
–Photo courtesy Shelley Gravit
