Indian Valley marching band honors late percussionist Evan Davis

The Indian Valley Marching Band presented a special program at its first home football game of the season Sept. 5 to remember sophomore Evan Davis of Midvale, who died in May from an incurable brain stem cancer. Davis was a talented percussionist with the group.

At the event, it was announced that the Indian Valley Foundation had purchased a 10-by-20-foot tent for the band’s use in memory of Davis.

“Evan was an amazing band member, community member, just a great kid,” said Danielle McMillen, a member of the Indian Valley Schools staff and the Indian Valley Foundation. “We knew that we wanted to do something but really weren’t sure how to honor his memory.”

The foundation chose to recognize Davis’ love of band by purchasing the tent.

“The tent would be something that they could use, especially in the summertime, to give them some shade, just have a place to store things and kind of as a home base,” McMillen said. “We thought that would be a great way of honoring his memory, and something that can live on for the years to come.”

The tent is different from the foundation’s typical scholarships, building grants and classroom grants, but directly benefits the students.

Indian Valley Band Director Dan Lenzer said he was pleased with the memorial gift and its many uses.

“When it’s wet, it can help to protect our electronics and it’s a great place for people to see where we are,” Lenzer said.

The tent also will help the band boosters, who feed both home and visiting band members at games.

“The boosters can use it, the band can use it, if it’s raining at halftime, we can put it over the percussion equipment that shouldn’t get wet,” Lenzer said. “There’s all sorts of great uses for it and we’re really excited about it.”

Lenzer said Davis is deeply missed.

“He epitomized everything you want in a band kid, not only his musicianship, but his character,” Lenzer said. “He was encouraging. He was tenacious. He was an example for the other kids.”

During the pregame memorial program, items belonging to Davis were placed on the field, including his snare drum and drumsticks and three honor cords he earned through his participation in band.

His father, Aaron Davis, who also works on the Indian Valley Schools staff and serves as assistant band director, said the white Spirit of the Corps cord was especially meaningful.

“It’s the cord that is awarded by a director, and it symbolizes the model marching band member,” Aaron Davis said. “They show up, they give 100% effort, they always have their music memorized, and they’re always encouraging to others. That’s the one that he was the most proud of, so we made sure to have all the items out there that he would typically have with him.”

During the program the band performed the song “Jig,” a student favorite.

“The band members, a few years ago, created a dance to it, and so now it’s something that whenever the percussion section does it, it’s just a super fun moment for everybody,” Aaron Davis said. “Evan loved playing that, it was a really good tribute for him.”

Aaron Davis said the tent was a surprise.

“I just went out to practice one day and there’s this beautiful tent saying in memory of Evan Davis from the Indian Valley Foundation,” he said.

The Davis family, including his mother Lisa and brother Liam, is grateful for the support of the foundation and the community, the student body, the administration, friends and family during Evan’s illness.

Aaron Davis was a percussionist and Evan followed in his footsteps.

“He was a much better percussionist than what I ever have been. It was just so fun for so many years to see him grow and develop into an amazing snare player,” Aaron Davis said.

He misses his son every day but is grateful that the other students still remember him. It is encouraging to know that Evan’s memory is still making an impact.

“Evan was just a fantastic person. He had a deep faith, a deep love of God and Jesus. I’m so proud of him for that,” Aaron Davis said.

At the beginning of his illness, Evan was given nine to 12 months to live.

“He fought for 18 and a half months. His strength, his tenacity, he gave it his all. We’re just always going to be proud of him,” Aaron Davis said.