Clash! Ding! Boom! The Wesleyan marching band and visual performance ensemble set aside a week of their summer vacation in order to learn, practice, and memorize their music and field routine.
Not only does each person have to memorize dozens of individual placements, they must also memorize all their cues and music.
Junior Abby Yang said, “It was one of the most successful band camps we’ve ever had. We were able to complete three of five parts of the show!”
Not only does marching band camp prepare band members for the rigorous marching season ahead, it also gives middle school players a sneak peek of what high school marching band is like, giving them a chance to bond with upperclassmen outside of school.
When asked about the middle school players, senior Xavier Cooper said, “they’re all good kids, and I’m excited to see where they go throughout their marching band careers.”
The bonds formed during marching band camp and throughout the rest of the season strengthen the team and are essential for creating a comfortable atmosphere for the rest of each member’s marching band career.
Junior Michelle Tan, who has participated in marching band since seventh grade, became a part of the leadership team this year. When asked about how her band experience has changed since becoming a leader, she said she feels “like a mother hen” when mentoring and guiding the younger players and rookies in their skill.
Senior and seasoned visual performance ensemble member Abrianna Harris said, “it was great to watch the rookies grow in skill and endurance throughout band camp.”
The extreme effort and pure talent of the marching band players and visual performance ensemble will pay off in the end when they perform at half-time during Friday night football games and compete in competitions all over Georgia.
As band camp equipped each member with the skills and discipline needed for a winning season while also creating a fun and memorable week, it is no wonder band camp is Director Jeff Foster’s “favorite week of the year.”
