Every year the 8th graders are invited to perform a song with the high school marching band and this year was no different! The stands were packed with friends and family excited to see their loved ones perform. This time around, the eight graders performed the song “All star” to fit in with the band’s 90’s theme. Causing both the eighth graders and high schoolers to exhibit excitement in being part of this one of a kind experience.
It’s not out of the ordinary for 8th graders to want to join the marching band after this experience. The eighth graders express their excitement, concerns, and overall emotions towards joining the marching band.
Eighth grade Trombonist Cole McNally said, “Marching band gave me a whole new outlook on band. seeing the high school marching band play so well, especially without music, had left me really impressed. And all I could ever think of since then was how I wanted to be that good and how I wanted to be seen as a pro like that. And once I met and spoke with the marching band trombone players, I realized that it’s very basic for them. As impressive as it is for everyone else, they play those same old songs almost every day. After school, they practice, before games they practice, maybe even at home. I will always think it’s amazing to have such talent. Even if it’s normal for them.”
Students were hyped to experience such an event. Some even made new friends they wouldn’t have met outside of marching band.
Eighth grade Baritone Saxophonist Annabelle Campos said, “It felt awesome! I even got adopted (not formally) by one of the sousaphones that also plays the baritone saxophone. The experience was something that I would definitely do again.”
It’s a super exciting experience to be a part of. For some it’s meeting new people, for others it’s merely being part of it that thrills them.
Eighth grade Percussionist Bryce Lasher exclaimed, “It felt very intriguing. It was very entertaining to be a part of them and he had me wanting to do it more.”
Despite the chaos some students managed to find the light at the end of the tunnel. However, there were some hardships they had to overcome first.
McNally said, “Marching in was rough, because it was my first time, the music was hard to memorize. Especially the fight song, Ohio state buckeyes theme. And it makes me even more nervous as a trombone, because trombonists marched at the front of the parade. My favorite part was meeting the high schoolers. They were all just so fun to be around, and they all had their own inside jokes and fun things to do together. For instance, when another trombonist gets separated, the other trombones lift their horns up into the air to help find each other.”
Memorizing music is very different from playing it, which only adds to the chaos that is marching band. However, memorizing isn’t the only thing causing hardships.
When asked about what she would do differently, eighth grade flute player Antoinette Davis stated, “I would make sure I get my footing right and be in the right place.”
In marching band you often find yourself finding new friends! Most eighth graders got to meet new people in the grades above them. People that they wouldn’t have known without marching band.
Eighth grade Flutist Kassie Kensky said, “I’m interested in joining the marching band because everyone you meet is nice and everyone makes it a fun experience.”
Clearly, this was an exciting experience for many eighth graders. Some struggles were faced but as a whole, it was an enjoyable experience.
