When you think of football players, what do you think of? Many of us think of these big muscular guys who tackle each other. Now think about cheerleading. What do you think of? Tumbling, cheers, and stunts. Now think about your school band…. What do you think a band is, or who a person in a band is? I asked the Rochester student body this very question, and here were the responses I received…
Myra Gibson says, “football games…playing school song after the touchdowns…or pep games (basketball). I like when they play songs at basketball games when they warm up, they are better than the songs they play on the radio. I love when they storm the halls, that is so fun.”
Whether they referred to it as the trombone dance or the trumpet, many students enjoy this year’s new inclusion of the trombone suicide.
Band members were happy to hear that their hard work is being noticed and loved by their audience. Aria Philbrick shares some of the behind-the-scenes of how the band prepares for the football season…
“We do band camp for a week over the summer, and we put drills together with the music that we learned as well in that week. We do sectionals to learn the music better, and then we proceed to work through the drill when school starts, every class period. We also have to memorize the pieces for the football games.”
I found Janelle, Chloe, and Grace in the halls and asked them what they think when they think of a band.
Grace Fishburn, Janelle Wray, and Chloe Matteson collectively agreed that they like the new “trumpet show” (trombone suicides), and they liked the “drum show from last year.”
Allie Kerwin talks about how she and Lorelai Black (drum majors) attend a special camp where they learn how to march, conduct, and be good teachers. She says that she is always judging the band and trying to find ways to improve.
While I was in the cafeteria, Freshman Katie had some comments she wanted to share after experiencing her first high school football season as a part of the student section. Katie Stuart says, “I think of intelligent people with a gift of playing an instrument…those things are hard.” The band makes the football games more engaging and energetic.
While the band is continuing to polish their halftime show for the football postseason, they are preparing for a fall concert. A lot of people think that all the band does is marching, but that is not true; they have a pep band and a concert band too, it’s just not as popular too the community. Many students switch instruments during this time.
Jax Bandy was eager to talk about the commitment being in the band is and what they do throughout the whole year, not just football. He mentions that he really enjoys the pep band as well because they play more fun and popular songs. Concert music is completely different from pep band and marching band. The songs played for concerts are complex, long, and some may say boring. There are two concerts throughout the year, a fall concert and a spring concert.
Band is a year-long activity that is a huge time commitment. While transitioning from marching band to concert band, there is a lot of work to be done. Make sure to come and support the band throughout the rest of the school year!