Playing a musical instrument is difficult.
Playing a musical instrument while marching is even more difficult.
Playing challenging music while marching and staying in formation among 100-plus peers in front of a packed stadium or a panel of judges – that requires work, a lot of work.
Killeen ISD’s five high school marching bands are back to work, finishing their second week of marching camp that will lead into learning the drill and music to perform this fall during halftime shows and in their own season of competition.
Drum majors and other student leaders participated in two days of leadership camp prior to the full band camps.
Drum majors agreed that late July is an exciting time to dive into another season of showtime.
Shoemaker Greywolf Band
Senior Mario Puente, a drum major for Shoemaker High School’s Greywolf Band, praised his band’s early effort.
“It’s been really fun, a lot of ups and downs. We overcome the downs,” he said.
“Our biggest challenge is getting the freshmen caught up to the level everyone else is at, teaching them all the marching, how to play while marching, memorizing all their music, getting them ready for the football games in the stands.”
“It’s a lot. We do a lot. They are doing great. They are quick learners.”
The Shoemaker show, called “Invasion,” features a mix of classical and modern music and a storyline of aliens attacking the earth, complete with fighting and battles.
Shoemaker junior Flavio Gabriel, also a drum major pointed out that marching camp allows students to get an early start on band before diving into the full high school schedule.
“We have to get ahead and learn an eight-minute show and be able to perform it in its entirety by October,” said Gabriel. “There’s a lot of moving elements. We’re making amazing progress, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.”
Ellison Screaming Eagle Band
A few miles down the road, the Ellison Screaming Eagle Band practiced its own marching, mostly using a phone app to practice on a marching training program.
Ellison senior drum major Flora Fuentes expressed excitement to get started with band. She said the new freshmen don’t know what they’re in for – the thrills and the challenge.
“It’s so exciting. I know the new members are getting inspired. They don’t know what they are getting into. It’s so much fun being in marching band, especially this band. We have so much culture and love in this band. We all become a family,” she said.
Learning fundamental marching and music mixes with connecting with one another for a long season of performance.
Ellison’s show “Infinite Horizons,” advances beyond last year’s show, she said, embracing themes of outer space and exploration.
Now in her second year as a drum major, Fuentes said she wants to inspire the younger students so they can experience the joy she has experienced.
“Friday nights are so much fun and tiring,” she said. “In the stands is where we show our culture to the audience. When we get on the field, we show that serious, motivated, determined side.”
Chaparral Bobcat Band
The Chaparral High School Bobcat Band was also working hard, mainly within section groups. Many students wore “throwback 80s” clothes in keeping with a dress-up theme for the day.
Chaparral junior drum major Kamila Merchan-Liu and senior drum major Emma Riepen agreed with the other drum majors that marching camp is about more than learning skills.
“I’ve seen a lot of dedication. It’s really heartwarming to watch,” she said. “Our main purpose is to perform our marching show, but I really think it’s about creating a sense of community, a family. I consider band my family."
“I love being in the stands. Playing the stand tunes and dancing. Halftime is amazing. Performing in front of everyone is really an exciting moment for sure.”
“Camp prepares us for the season,” said Riepen. “It’s also for the kids to get to know each other, make friends, build the family so we can have a successful year where we work together. I enjoy seeing everyone have fun and learning.”
“There’s always lots of energy. It’s exciting. We look forward to having fun, to cheering and being rowdy,” said Riepen.
The Bobcat Band is performing a show called “Beyond the Crescent City,” that embraces having fun in life with a New Orleans feel.
Harker Heights Red Brigade Band
Behind Harker Heights High School, the Red Brigade Band members, all dressed in red, worked on their marching skills.
Their youngest of four drum majors, sophomore Ottavia Denton, said the band was working hard and having fun doing it.
“It’s really about having a fun beginning and enjoying what we can put together,” she said. “We want to move efficiently – doing what you love.”
“It’s amazing,” said senior drum major Alex Ukachi. “Kids are learning quickly. We’re working on fundamentals, really getting the foundation set to have a good year ahead of us.”
Drum major Joshua Duenas, a junior, said the band was hard at work piecing together building blocks of skill and the strong relationships that will hold the band together through a long, exciting season of performance and competition.
“It’s exciting to see the growth and comradery of all the students,” said Duenas. “It’s only their fifth day and they are doing great.”
Junior Gage Cardenas, also a drum major, praised the young band members’ excitement and energy.
“We’re building fundamentals to keep going for the season and building relationships with our peers,” he said. “The hardest part is getting everyone out of their comfort zone, especially the freshmen. They are doing great.”
The Harker Heights show contains a Latin title translated “Water Goddess.” It uses water elements and features a choral performer.
Killeen High School Roo Band
Two of the Killeen Roo Band’s three drum majors this year are doing double duty as Kanagarette dance team members.
Senior Olivia Fruik is the dance team colonel and head drum major, making her possibly the busiest person under the stadium lights – dancing and directing with two highly active spirit groups.
She praised her coaches and directors, as well as her mom, in encouraging her to take on both roles.
“A lot of these weeks are about introducing our new marchers into the band and getting them comfortable with moving,” she said. “It’s a lot of getting people comfortable and settled in.”
“For me, it’s always a blast. You have the crowd right there. It’s a fun, energetic time. You can relax a little, then get on the field where there is so much nervous excitement. Then we’re all ready to perform.”
The KHS show is called “The Final Countdown,” with a variety of symphony music that includes numbers from 10 to 1.
The annual Spirit Spectacular is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Leo Buckley Stadium.
For the second year, the fundraising showcase will feature the five high school bands and the 13 middle school bands.
See our high school marching band camp photo gallery here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720319236358
