MARENGO — Blaze Roberts learned more than musical theory as a member of the Highland Fighting Scots marching band.
Lindsay Roberts said her son, who has special needs, is more confident and independent after a year on the drum line.
“The first year the school provided an aide for him and this year he’s been doing everything independently and that’s a huge step,” she said.
“I think it has propelled him to another level. He’s reached a new point in his life where now he feels like he can be independent.”
This fall, Roberts and Highland band director Amy Arnett-Tomasek are teaming up to offer more kids with special needs the chance to try marching band.
The school will be hosting a free band camp on Sept. 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m in partnership with Unstoppables, an inclusive youth sports league founded by Roberts and her wife Laura.
The camp is open to any child with special needs entering kindergarten through 12th grade — regardless of where they live or go to school.
Students will rotate through stations, where they’ll have a chance to try out various instruments as well as color guard flags and pom poms. There will also be brass and woodwind instrument demonstrations.
Participants will be invited to return to the Scots stadium on Oct. 3 to play in the Homecoming halftime show.
Students are encouraged to bring any instruments they have at home. But instruments will also be available for use.
“Pretty much everything at our disposal we’re going to pull out of storage and make it useful,” Arnett-Tomasek said.
Roberts said 12 students registered within 48 hours of announcing the camp.
She said the goal is to fill the field with alumni, the 8th grade band, the high school band and Unstoppables band camp kids.
She urged parents of kids with special needs to give it a try.
“I think it could be kind of scary for some parents to try something new because we’re always told all the things our kids can’t do,” she said.
“All that we ask is that they try it. If they love it they have a chance to play in front of a homecoming crowd.”
Registration open until Sept. 12
Roberts relished her years as a trombone player in the marching band. But when it came to her own son, she was worried he may not be able to follow in her footsteps.
She described Highland Middle School as a supportive, inclusive place — but its district’s marching band is a competition band.
“I automatically —mistakenly — assumed that kids with special needs who needed extra help wouldn’t be accepted because they’re all about competition,” she said.
Instead, Arnett-Tomasek gave him a chance — making modifications where necessary, but still holding Blaze to a high standard.
“He’s expected to be on the field with his instrument, his music, his water, just like everybody else,” Roberts said.
“It was a pleasant surprise for us. He was included, he was accepted, and he was part of the band like everyone else.”
Arnett-Tomasek said the band at Highland has an unofficial motto — We accept everyone.
She hopes the band camp, which will be coordinated by adult volunteers and Highland High School band members, will further reinforce that motto.
“I really just hope (the students) enjoy themselves, learn something new, and maybe it sparks a new interest for someone,” Arnett-Tomasek said.
“The special needs kids that we have in our band have been huge assets. We have a quite a few.”
Registration is open until Sept. 12 at unstoppablesports.org.
