Hot rays of blistering sun beat down on the brass of trumpets, frenchhorns and tubas on a summer evening. Sweat on skin glistens, warm instruments become slippery in otherwise tight grasps. Music fills the air centering the painted football field with determined band players ready to give their all. The band instructor tells them to play the chorus one more time, and once again, they readily bring the sound of music to the school. 

The marching band program has been a part of the school for six years now, and the current ensemble has already begun honing their skills for the 2024–2025 school year with dedicated musicians in formation. 

“I’m extremely dedicated to marching band this year,” senior band president, flute and piccolo player Drew Shelton said. “I’m a senior, so I have helped this program truly develop and I’m looking forward to an awesome ’finale’ show to end my four years.”

The marching band team has been practicing for the upcoming school year since Jul. 22. During the end of summer and now, rehearsals run for three hours in the mornings and the evenings four days a week. Students go over basic marching techniques like figuring out individual positions on the field for formations, transitions, and skillfully playing their instruments while marching.

“All of these rehearsals that we do always lead up to future UIL competitions and shows during games. It’s hard work, but it’s fulfilling,” senior trumpet player Cameryn Key said. 

But with several days in a row being over 100 degrees Fahrenheit over the past month, and the unbearable heat continuing until early October at the most, it sometimes hinders students’ motivation to keep going with the program. But in the end, the marching band team maintains committed strides even in the baking weather to get to their end goal. 

“You feel like it’s not worth it when you’re out there because you are sweating so badly,” sophomore oboe player Kaiya Rhodes said. “But once you get out of a football game or a competition and you realize how much the work really pays off, it’s completely worth it in the end.”

According to band members, enduring countless hours of rehearsals in the beating sun does have its prizes when earned off of hard work and determination. This Friday, Aug. 30, the marching band will be performing a part of their first show of the year during the first football game of the season at Cedar Ridge High School. Surrounded by a large mass of cheering people, glaring spotlights on the field, and the buttery smell of popcorn in the bleachers, the marching band will carry out their music while marching on the field dedicated to their school pride and program. 

“I am excited about the show,” Rhodes said. “It’s a little nerve-wracking ‘cause it is an away game, but I think it’s going to be a blast.”

Regarding extracurriculars, band students claim stress over extra work can become overwhelming, and take up most students’ time. However, all the responsibilities and requirements that come with marching band teach members how to balance school life more efficiently, rather than being caught in a disorganized mess where everything is ten times more stressful. With the amount of practice they execute and the duty of important performances, core class work needs to be methodically done throughout it all. If not, assignments can be lost and grades will drop. Yet, issues like this seldom happen with the marching band.

“What many people don’t realize is that most of the band members’ grades are the best during marching season,” Shelton said. “When you are constantly on a schedule, it makes you more mindful about due dates and studying. We have tons of band kids in the top percentage of their respective classes and I think that truly reflects the discipline that band instills in kids.”

The students’ determination for these drills in the heat, challenging performances, and overall added-on work express their great adoration and utmost dedication to the marching band. Marching band kids find a sense of pride and solace within the extracurricular; it prevails as a second home for them and teammates act like family. They pour all their love into the hours of practice with their trumpets, frenchhorns, and other complementary instruments; with their designated formation on the field, in the competitions they strive to win, and the simple connections that form between them. The program requires a lot from these high school students, but the team is unwavering in pledging their loyalty and passion. 

“Marching band has been a huge part of my life for the past few years,” Key said. “It’s made me a better person, introduced me to people I consider my closest friends, and allowed me to keep building my love for music. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.”