It is a fact that 20 percent of children learn to play music, and 70 percent of adults wish they had. The members of the East Juniata High School Band are very proud to be among the 20 percent who learn early.

“The music program at East Juniata allows me to freely express myself through music. Having music at our school is very important,” says freshman Emma Seaman.

Another ninth grade musician, Margaret Edwards, states “I love music. It’s that plain and simple. I find it easiest to express myself through music. I’m so thankful we have a great music program, it has given me so many amazing experiences and through it I’ve learned so much.”

Band director Kevin Milliken is very supportive of all his music department members. He not only directs both the school's junior and senior high bands, but he also conducts the junior and senior high choruses and jazz bands,  and Senior High Combo group, along with the pit band for the school's annual musical. He will do almost anything to motivate the students who comprise these groups. Mr. Milliken is known as "Chief" to the senior high band members. He tells the story of the nickname's origin every summer at band camp, but students do not learn the story until they reach ninth grade. The marching band's season includes traveling to football games and parades. The members work very hard throughout the summer to perfect their field show for the upcoming football season, and continue playing those songs throughout the season, which runs through the Christmas Parade at Susquehanna Valley Mall [where last year they had the honor of being the band to escort Santa in the procession!] Another parade honor came this season, when, during a delay of the Juniata County Fair parade, they had the privilege of being on ABC 27 News with Eric Finkenbinder during his live weather broadcast from the fair. This past summer, the band's football game halftime show included the songs "Sharp Dressed Man," "Funkytown," "Apache," and "Everybody Have Fun Tonight." Chief made a bet with the band that if they continued to play louder and improve as the football season progressed, he would dye his naturally dark brown goatee blonde. He also said that if, at any point, the band received a standing ovation, he would dye his whole head blonde. Although that did not physically happen, Mr. Milliken said he received so many positive comments about and inspiring reactions to the band's show, he decided to hold up his end of the deal anyway. So, the week of the school's last football game, Chief came to school with his whole head and his goatee dyed bright blonde. When asked about the new hair color, his reply was: "This is what happens when you make a bet with your band!"

Even before the conclusion of the marching season, the band begins to work on music for their Christmas concert. This is the project for which both the junior and senior high concert bands are currently preparing [along with the senior high jazz musicians and both the senior and junior high choruses that will also perform during the holiday season].

Chief not only prepares his students for concerts at the school and other school-related events, he also has his groups perform in the community. The Senior High Jazz Band performs at various locations throughout the summer, and both the junior and senior high choruses perform at Christmas in the Park at Basom Park in Richfield each year.

Christmas in the Park also brings the music department's popular Chinese auction fund-raiser. Students and parents donate items, and band members canvass the community for business donations. The Chinese auction is set up next to the band shell where the students perform, and when the chorus songs are finished, there's more music to the ears of many ticket buyers as the winning numbers are drawn and called.

Mr. Milliken also takes students to festivals for band, jazz band, chorus, and orchestra. He takes them to the District level events first, and then continues to transport them around the state, and, in the cases of two exceptionally talented students in recent years, the nation, as they advance to Regional, State, and National levels. He is very dedicated to his job, and goes above and beyond for his music department students.

One way that he shows his appreciation to his students is an awards ceremony at the end of each school year. Mr. Milliken gives awards to both junior and senior high musicians for outstanding participation, dedication, and contributions to the music program. There is recognition for the band's seniors, and, usually, a guest speaker who discusses the impact music has had on his/her life.

So, even though Mr. Milliken is very busy with his students, he enjoys every aspect of serving as the head of the East Juniata High School music department, and, at least until the dye grows out, he can attest to the old saying that "blondes really do have more fun!"