The marching band kicked off its season with the gusto and prestige that has come to define the SHS music department. This year, the musicians play and perform to the tunes of beloved boy bands, like Queen and My Chemical Romance. Selections such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Welcome to the Black Parade” fill the ears of fans in the stands, creating an encouraging atmosphere to cheer the football team to victory.
But, it is not just about the music. Many of the marching band members find a strong sense of community within the SHS band and have accumulated vital life lessons through their dedication to music, such as perseverance, respect, and self confidence. Furthermore, the band allows for many leadership opportunities, which gives students the chance to take on greater responsibilities and pass down their expertise to other members of the group.
“Marching band has given me an opportunity to improve not only my musical skills but also general life skills I will carry for the rest of my life,” Anika Bharadwaj, the band president and a drum major, said. “Marching band is a fine art that has challenged me mentally and physically but ultimately provided me with so much skill development and coordination.”
It is uncommon that a band member’s musical journey ends after high school, as many of the musicians decide to pursue careers and post-graduate opportunities with their instrument. Take Peter Eisenmenger for example, who hopes to make a living off of his talent and passion for percussion.
“Band has served as something that I can put a lot of my time and focus towards, especially because I’m interested in majoring in percussion performance in college. It’s also taught me about time management, specifically balancing the demands of being a section leader with other commitments, like other band activities and academics,” Peter Eisenmenger, a band vice president and section leader, shared.
The SHS band creates a positive environment for learning and growth, both in and outside of the music department. Members utilize their time in high school music to learn from and teach one another.
“Marching definitely takes a high level of confidence, but what’s nice is that everyone is in it together, so if one person is nervous, you have multiple people there to encourage you to persevere,” Andrew Shadel, a section leader, stated.
There are still plenty of opportunities to watch the SHS band in action, even after football season comes to a close. Band music is constantly bursting through the halls of our high school, during send-offs, seasonal concerts, jazz shows, and pep band performances. In the near future, wind symphony members will play at the Music Mosaic concert, which highlights the top sections in each of the three music departments: band, choir, and orchestra.