POCAHONTAS, Ark. — The Pocahontas High School band, which currently includes 70 students in grades 9 through 12, is seeing a surge in participation across its programs. According to assistant band director Kaylan Aven, the school’s sixth-grade band has also grown significantly, now boasting 70 students—an increase of roughly 20 to 25 from last year.
This sharp rise in enrollment has created an urgent need for more instruments. Aven noted that the band is running low on essential equipment, with the flute shelf entirely empty, only one clarinet remaining, and percussion students resorting to tapping on chairs due to a lack of drums.
Seeking community support, Aven turned to social media early Tuesday morning to request instrument donations. The response was immediate and widespread. “I had 40 shares on the post,” Aven said, adding that a person from Memphis even reached out, mentioning their niece, a member of the sixth-grade band, who lacked access to an instrument.
Community members promptly stepped up, offering pianos, trombones, and drums to help address the shortage. Aven expressed deep concern about students being left without instruments, stating, “It is my biggest fear to see a child in band class with nothing to play because we do not have enough instruments to give them. It would mean the world to me, let alone to the kids.”
Band director Riley Dunham praised the ongoing support from the community, emphasizing its importance to the band’s success. In return, the band regularly performs at school football games and other events around the city, fostering a strong connection with Pocahontas residents. “If you don’t have that community there to support the band and tell the band that they’re doing awesome things, and that what their job is, is important—then the kids don’t believe it,” Dunham said.
Dunham also highlighted the students' dedication and their ability to rise to challenges. “That’s a high bar,” he noted. “And every time, every day, I set a new challenge and the kids meet it. And that’s awesome. And that’s probably the best thing about music.”
As interest in the band program continues to grow, Aven and Dunham remain optimistic, bolstered by the generosity and enthusiasm of the Pocahontas community.