Listen closely and you just might hear it.
You might hear the deep pounding of a bass drum, maybe the sharp blast of brass and the low hum of woodwind.
There will be pauses in the rhythmic sounds filled with determined voices shouting out in cadence, some of it amplified by microphone.
The start of school is still three weeks away, but some Killeen ISD high school students are getting into the rhythm already.
The district’s five high school bands opened annual marching camps Monday. While most began inside the band halls, the Ellison Screaming Eagle Band made an early start on the marching pad outside the school.
Band Director Erik Reynolds, an Ellison graduate and band alum, told this year’s students they enter a 47-year-old tradition that is as much a closeknit family as it is a band that makes music and performs drill.
“It’s establishing the culture of the program,” Reynolds said of the season-beginning camp. “We want to play well and march well, but we really want great kids learning life lessons as well. The music and marching are establishing culture.”
Ellison’s show is called A Night in New York. Music, set pieces and field formations will take audiences on a melodious cab ride from Times Square to the Met (Philharmonic Orchestra), Radio City Music Hall (The Rockettes), Broadway and finally to Central Park.
Marching camps end the week of the start of school. The first day of class is Aug. 14. Two weeks later (Aug. 28-29) are the start of football season and halftime shows.
Just before the marching band contest season, on Sept. 20, the bands will combine for the 47th annual Spirit Spectacular with all five high school bands and 12 middle school bands sharing the Leo Buckley Stadium field. The show begins at 8 p.m.
For now, though, there’s the matter of learning to walk.
For Ellison, the drum majors are junior Jewel Reese and seniors Trip Potvin and Shawniece Grimes.
“It’s teaching freshmen the fundamentals and making sure everyone is on track and preparing for the season,” said Reese. “It’s super exciting to get to show off everything we work on and to get recognition for the hard work.”
“When I came as a freshman, it changed my perspective and gave me motivation,” said Grimes. “My mission is to get us together as a family and to create a bond with each other and to get our love of music together,” said Grimes.
“This is about getting the freshmen in band engaged. Band is a strenuous activity and it takes a lot of time to learn a full show. We get out here early and start to learn fundamentals,” said Potvin.
Get feeling of performing beneath the stadium lights is a powerful one. “It’s very exciting. We have a goal to have our full show ready for Spirit Spectacular. The first time we do it, it feels good,” he said.
“Marching band is less about the individual knowing your stuff and more about being about communicating non-verbally to people around you. That’s a skill you have to learn.”
“I definitely like it,” said Potvin of directing the band. “I miss marching a little bit. I feel like it’s my band and I’m excited to help lead them and help everyone else.”
Killeen High School junior mellophone player Chamiyu Duenas is a field commander in this year’s Roo Band. That is a new student leadership position working alongside the drum major.
“Coming back is fun. It’s good to learn the fundamentals. I’m excited about my new position,” he said.
“Being (on the field) is fun. We all know each other. On the field and in the stands, we have fun together. Connecting makes band a lot more fun.”
Band members get excited to get on the marching pad, dive into the drills and learn together, he said.
“I love music. I love playing my instruments. I love the experience. You meet new people, and you get to watch other bands, which I really like.”
Continue to check this space to see photos and reports on the progression of KISD’s five high school bands the rest of the summer and into marching competition.
Expanded summer marching band camp day photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720327709124
