Talawanda's 70-student marching band is preparing for a season full of shows. This year, students and directors say the halftime and competition show is decidedly more theatrical than in years past.
When members of the Talawanda School District marching band show up a 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, they don't wait for the band directors to tell them what to do.
Instead, they head to the field.
It's day two of the 70-member ensemble's weeklong band camp, and the student leaders are settling into their roles. When the band directors, Mike Marston and Richard Gonzales, tell the returning members that they'll start the day by helping teach the newest members the marching basics, they set to work.
"At the beginning of the week, it's like I just try to go in with an open mind because it's really exhausting," said Sadie Abbitt, a field commander and junior at Talawanda this year. "By the end of the week, I kind of just want to sleep."
Band camp lasts one week each year, July 22 through 26 this season, and the students work hard throughout. For four of the five days, they'll practice from 1-9 p.m. As part of the band's preparation for halftime shows and competitions, band camp was preceded by several three-hour pre-camp rehearsals and will be followed by four more next week.
"Obviously we're trying to work hard," Sadie said, "but also just being goofy and like messing around."
Vanessa Howard, a senior trumpet player, said she's been making music since she joined a church band at seven years old. On Tuesday, she helped write questions on a ball for one of the activities to break up rehearsal time. She said part of what makes marching band fun for her is the balance between work and play.
"We're working really hard, and then we get a good break, and then we're working really hard again," Vanessa said.
For this year's show, director Gonzales said the band is going in a more theatrical route than it normally takes. The name of the show is "Immortal Heart," and the band will tell the story of Dracula through music, costumes and props.
"Last year's kids, they were really into the show we were doing which wasn't really theatrical, but it just kind of ended up being a little theatrical," Gonzales said. "So we saw the potential and we were like, 'OK, let's take things a step further,' and the kids said, 'We want a more challenging show.'"
For competitions, Gonzales said the students will wear Dracula-inspired costumes with white dress shirts, medallions and capes. They'll keep the standard uniforms for most halftime shows this year, though.
Addison Greene, a senior trumpet player and field commander, said her grandfather helped make the props for the show this year, which include a mausoleum.
"I wouldn't say that we're really known for our props, at least not in recent years," Addison said. "In the past they had some great props, but this year especially we're getting like a whole house structure and tombstones, so it's going to be really cool to see."
Older students in the band help lead aspects of rehearsal, teaching newer members how to march. Director Mike Marston says students face both musical and physical challenges as they learn the show. Photos by Sean Scott
While the costumes and props can make the show pop this year, Marston said the experience and memories the students get is the most important part of the program.
"By coming to band specifically, they're learning some new skills when they're marching," Marston said. "They have some physical challenges as well as some musical challenges, some intellectual challenges, and it helps them grow."
Gonzales agreed that the leadership and team experience students get is essential to the culture of the band.
"Band is very much like a sport, except for there's no bench," Gonzales said. "If you're not pulling your weight, especially if you're on a really competitive team, the coach can go, 'You go sit.' We don't do that, because we can't. We need every kid, and every kid is important."
The marching band will perform at the football team’s first game at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 against the Cleves Taylor Yellowjackets. The first home game will be on Sept. 6.
