Band marching through summer

Marching+Band+performing+at+the+McKinney+North+game+in+2014.

Marching Band performing at the McKinney North game in 2014.

Vivian Zhou, Rising sophomore

Characterized by their large, shiny instruments and marching uniforms, the band helps lift spirits in the stands during football games and marches during halftime. But to get ready for the school year, band students will spend August 3-21 to improve their marching fundamentals and skills so they are prepared for the upcoming school year.

“It provides the new members or upcoming freshman with an opportunity to not only learn the fundamentals of marching but make friends with the other members of the band,” flute section leader and rising sophomore Natalie Demarest said. “Summer band is also a fun time to have section competitions and take funny pictures during the lunch break in between outdoor rehearsal and music rehearsal.”

Some students think that with a new director, summer band will be different.

“I think that with the new director there will be some changes,” drum major and rising junior Anna Turner said. “I think that the changes will be for the better and help us improve.”

The students have to start preparing in the summer so they can be ready for the first football game.

“We need to get the band prepared and already learning parts of the marching band show before school starts because our first football game is a week after school starts,” band director Daniel King said. “One week is not enough time for everything.”

The band camp starts on August third and they continue to work until the beginning of the school year to prepare for the marching season.The only problem for most of the students is the high temperatures that occur during the summer.

“The heat is the worst,” Demarest said. “Constant marching for four hours in the morning in the Texas heat is tough and running back to each set for another run through is tiring. We don’t have unlimited water breaks so that we can keep up the momentum and the bright sun takes its toll over the four hours we’re outside. But I like getting a head start to get a good grasp on the music and have more time to learn all of our drill.”

Many are very excited for the new marching season to begin.

“My favorite part of summer band is to be able to see the students three weeks before school starts,” King said. “There isn’t any bad part of summer band and it is always a lot of fun.”