Band getting ready for contest season

Contest season is coming up for the school’s marching band. During the month of October, the band members, color guard, and staff will be competing in various competitions every Saturday.

Wingspan sat down with one of the four drum majors, Landon Shumway, to  find out what’s going on with band.

Wingspan: What instrument do you play?

Shumway: “I play the french horn with the Wind Ensemble in the spring, but during marching season I am a drum major.”

Wingspan: Many people are not very familiar with what a drum major is. Could you explain the roles of a drum major?

Shumway: “A drum major is one of the top student leaders in the band program, and they act as a middle person between the students and the directors. They are given many responsibilities, from controlling rehearsal flow to teaching marching to new students. During the band’s marching show, the drum majors conduct on podiums to keep the band in time while they are spread across a football field.”

Wingspan: What is the band doing to get ready for the upcoming contests?

Shumway: “We rehearse three days a week after school to perfect our marching show, and we perform the show at halftime during football games to gain experience in performing in front of a large audience. Outside of rehearsals and games, extra work is put in by individuals, squads, sections, and the leadership team to perfect personal technique and maintain accountability to the rest of the band.”

Wingspan: How long are rehearsals? And when does the band start practice during the summer?

Shumway: “Rehearsals are from 4:40-7:00 p.m. after school. A month before school even started, the band was up at the school practicing from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, giving up time during the summer to start working on the show.”

Wingspan: What is the show title of the marching show that the band is working on this year? (Title, what the music consists of, etc.) What else is there to know about the show?

Shumway: “This year, our show is titled Unbridled. It’s about having a free, unbreakable spirit, and it goes hand in hand with our band’s progression. With new uniforms, a new look, and a new sound, the band is proving to be unstoppable.”

Wingspan: Which is the most important contest coming up? Why?

Shumway: “The most important competition this year is Area because our placement determines if we make it to State Marching Contest. State years only come every other year, so this year is a big deal.”

Wingspan: How has the band improved?

Shumway: “At this point, the band has been working together for almost two months. Their marching has improved tremendously, but more importantly, so has their character. They’re learning the importance of working as a team, and they’re starting to understand the value of sacrifice and servant leadership.”

Wingspan: What are some struggles that you, the other band members, or staff experience during marching season?

Shumway: “First, we all have to face the afternoon heat in rehearsals. Sometimes we get a break with nice weather, but most the time it’s pretty hot outside. Another struggle is just overall tiredness. Marching season is demanding, and balancing schoolwork and other things can be exhausting and takes away from time to sleep. However, these challenges are ultimately beneficial because they force the band to pull together to overcome trials. It’s all about teamwork, and the struggles we face help develop accountability toward one another to lift each other up.”

Wingspan: What are some of the most critical factors band members have to be aware of in order to meet the overall standards of marching band?

Shumway: “More than the marching component or the playing component, the band sets a standard of character. This is something that cannot be easily taught in a simple classroom setting. Marching and playing can be taught, but becoming a better person requires experience in working with others. That is what we do in band. We help each other become better people and pursue excellence in everything that we do.”