The first annual BILB (Boy I Love Band) awards recognized groups and individuals for feats ranging from “Dance Team side that’s most likely to perform without equipment” to “Section whose shiny bells scared the most amount of police dogs at the Eagles game.”
On Friday, November 21 from 7-8 p.m., members of the Panther Marching Band gathered in Haven’s auditorium for a “lighthearted celebration honoring Band members with playful, unserious awards as we reflect on the season together,” according to band director Mr. Nicholas Pignataro’s November 19 email.
The ceremony began with remarks and jokes from Pignataro. Then, student leadership presented paper plate awards, with winners taking the stage for 30-second acceptance speeches.
“There were some serious awards,” senior and assistant to the director Elizabeth Coyle said. “There were some silly awards. The people who got the silly awards accepted them very graciously. We all made jokes about it, and it was like: ‘we’re in on something together now.’”
Freshman tuba player John Turbiville believes the awards are unique because anyone can be nominated for anything.
“It connects all the people of the band together in a fun way,” Turbiville said.
The second half of the evening allowed seniors to take the mic, relating fond memories, not-so-fond memories, confessions, and lessons learned throughout their time in band.
“It was really special that each senior could share their personal experience. And maybe something funny that you didn’t know about them that has to do with band, so you can see them in a new light before they leave,” Coyle said.
The senior speeches are memorable and touching to Pignataro because of their focus on the community and connection that band fosters.
“I hope [band members] become more connected with their friends and create a sort of band family when we’re not here, and that seniors make a memory out of it,” Jemwa said.
Named for a marching band staple — the routine call-and-response of “Boy I love band” — Pignataro and Coyle collaborated over email for about two weeks to make the award show a reality.
“I was thinking of awards throughout the season. I was trying to think of people’s inside jokes and keep track,” Coyle said.
The awards simultaneously provided closure for the season and allowed band staff to collect equipment in a more efficient and timely manner than in the past.
“It came from a desire to put some sort of button on the season, like in a musical where the show ends on a song,” Pignataro said.
From the hugs, tears, and handshakes to the rap battle and final “detail to the ready” command, Turbiville and Coyle both see the awards as an extension of the band’s positive, exciting, and energetic atmosphere.
“I think it brings up the spirit of the band and gets people excited for the end of the year,” Turbiville said.
Coyle hopes the awards grow each year, becoming an event people look forward to and set goals for.
“It’s really important — especially at the end of the season — to highlight peoples’ strengths and talents,” Coyle said. “To give people that validation they need to come back next year.”
The awards are a unique chance to gain new perspectives, meet new people, and enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of performing for a graded class.
“The most special thing is how sad everyone gets. It sounds weird, but you can see that this has meant so much to people from the emotion that they show and how expressive they are at the end of the season,” senior dance team captain Thandiwe Jemwa said “I felt emotional — which I didn’t think I would be — but it makes me feel like I made a difference in the lives of people in the band.”
