THE MUSIC NEVER RESTS

Leaders and members of Columbus marching band anticipate the upcoming season

by Alex Osburn design by Ram Gowda

One hundred ninety people. Eleven sections. Three movements. One hundred days from the first practice to the first halftime performance. From rising seniors who have years of experience to incoming freshmen with no prior marching experience, all skill levels and abilities are represented within the Sound and Spirit of Columbus marching band at the start of the season.

To make this feat possible, the band organizes a camp during the last two weeks of summer break to get a jump-start on putting together its show. Band director Keith Burton emphasizes the importance of putting in this extra time.

“During the camps we have basically a week’s equivalent of rehearsal time in one day,” Burton said. “So we are building skills at a rapid level during camp, and it really gets everything kind of set up so we can learn faster as we go and continue to get better because we don’t have as much rehearsal time when school starts.”

From a student perspective, the additional practice has benefits as well. Junior Conner Hoffman appreciates the improvement he sees from band camp.

“I feel like without [summer band camp] we wouldn’t be anywhere near as good as we are,” Hoffman said. “I think a lot of our success comes from that just because we have those two weeks to kind of bring everyone together before we just have after-school rehearsals.”

The camp isn’t just meant to develop musical skill, however. Along with improving the technical aspects of performance and musicianship, Burton explains how the band aspires to create a community atmosphere as well.

“We want to have a group that is a welcoming and positive environment for everybody, [where] everybody that wants to be in band has a place, and so we work hard to create that culture where that’s possible,” Burton said.

One way to build this welcoming environment is through having student leaders take over some responsibilities within the band. Sophomore Kylee Dieter will be a drum major next season, and she looks forward to forming relationships with other band members.

“[My role] entails leading the band and being someone that the band members can trust,” Dieter said. “I hope that I’m able to make an impact for the band members, and that I’ll be able to improve my leadership skills and who I am overall as a person.”

Similarly, Hoffman hopes to reinforce a sense of belonging for other members through his role as section leader in the upcoming season.

“I had juniors and seniors when I was a freshman that taught me how to march and really showed me why everybody loves band,” Hoffman said. “They showed me why I should love band, and I want to do that for other people.”