If you’ve ever stayed after school for any reason, you’ve most likely seen the football players sweating their butts off at practice. What many don’t realize is that they’re not the players on the field. The PHUHS Marching Band practices every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Their practices are grueling for they must learn to march in unison, like an army, while harmonizing with various instruments. Talk about multitasking! On Tuesdays the Band meets at 5 p.m. and practices to well around 8 p.m., although, the drumline does meet an hour beforehand for extra practice. On the other hand, on Thursdays everyone meets at 4 p.m. to work in their sections for an hour to then continue into marching until 8 p.m.
Why is the band practicing so hard? Because this Friday, Sept. 23, they will be performing in front hundreds of students, parents and faculty at the PHU vs. CCC varsity football game for the first time this school year. “We’re pretty much there,” senior Sarah Brownlee said. “We have half of the show done, which is pretty good for only having practiced for a couple weeks. Our music and visuals have come really far.” All sections of the band are expected to be right on cue. “Clarinets [will be most impressive]! But I’m a little bias,” said Brownlee.
An unbelievable amount of work is going into this marching routine. But don’t worry, these band kids aren’t stressed out. “I love my band mates; we all just have a lot of fun,” senior Alex Adams said. He feels confident that the band will excel. “We still have some work to do but by the end of the week we should be marching in step.” said Adams.
Brownlee was able to give us a little insight of what the band has planned for the homecoming game, their second show. “We are preparing new music and we will be [dressed] in full uniform,” Brownlee, said. “We’ll look a lot better in our caps than in our polo [shirts].” The band is sure to make an unforgettable performance for all to see. But don’t wait till then to see them march! Join them, the varsity football team, and the crazy fans at this Friday’s game on CCC’s field. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. and the half time show should be around 8:30 p.m. Just make sure your tape your socks to your legs because Brownlee plans for this show to “knock people’s socks off!”