Carrying the beat forward: Alum Calvin Warren reflects on the Colonel Band’s impact, legacy

By Reporter Gabby Cedano

As the Christian County High School Colonel Band closes its final chapter before the merger, one alumnus is reflecting on how far the program has come. For Assistant Band Director Calvin Warren, leading the percussion program at his alma mater is more than a job; it’s a full-circle moment.

Warren graduated from Christian County High School in 2002, where he was a proud member of the Colonel Band. Some of his fondest memories come from his senior year, when the band was named the Reserve Grand Champion at Murray State University’s Festival of Champions.

This year, the Colonel Band achieved a historic first by winning the state championship title. For Warren, that victory was both emotional and validating, a true milestone for the program and its community.

As the band’s final season comes to a close, Warren says the feeling is bittersweet. He reflects on the years spent on the same practice blacktop as the current students, feeling a mix of sadness and excitement for the next chapter.

Band Director Anthony Darnall says the band’s legacy is one they hope will inspire future generations to join the arts and carry on the Colonel Band tradition for years to come.

For Warren, one word sums up what this year means: bittersweet. The success, the memories and the closing of a beloved chapter all come together to mark the end of an era, but also the beginning of a lasting legacy that he and Darnall hope will continue to inspire future generations of local musicians and performers.

As the band looks ahead, they are preparing for their last performance at the Bands of America Grand Nationals, taking place from November 13 to November 15.