The shining trumpet began the march, guiding the audience’s gaze to their black and green uniforms.
Starting last Tuesday, May 28, about one hundred members of the Atholton Marching Band began practicing for their upcoming 2019 fall season. During this spring session, they met twice a week to learn and develop their songs.
The Atholton High School marching band began practicing in May and June to prepare their members for the summer marching band camps, in which they will be expected to know the musical material for their shows.
The marching band’s show this year will be made up of three parts and five songs between them. This year’s theme will be Opera pieces. They will perform the show in three to four competitions later in the year. This spring was also used to help adjust new members into the flow of the band.
“We want to get to the summer having not perfected all the music, but having read through all the music.”
“We are really just getting new members used to what this is. It’s not too intense but here’s what marching band is,” said Mr. Eric Posner, the band teacher and coordinator of the marching band.
The spring sessions, in addition to teaching everyone all of the music and choreography needed for this season, were used as a way to introduce new members to the fray and have “veteran members,” as described by Mr. Posner, interact and help them.
Considering the teamwork needed to do well with a marching band, helping the new members adjust quickly to the regiment and requirements of the marching band helps to accomplish Mr. Posner’s goals for the upcoming months.
“We want to read through all three parts of that show,” said Mr. Posner. “We want to get to the summer having not perfected all the music, but having read through all the music.”
Following the end of the school year, the marching band will attend a Band Camp to hone their music and marching to prepare it for the show. According to sophomore Jaden Sarney, the camp lasts for two weeks, “Every day… from nine to six.” Mr. Posner’s tactics have paid off thus far.
According to Sarney, the marching band did well overall in all their competitions last year. While the marching band is just starting its practice season and its new members are still adjusting, with the special care from the hardworking veteran members the marching band, they will be on track to represent Atholton next year.