The marching Band is an essential part of the school football events. It adds to the spirit of the game through exciting music and creative movement. Without it, half time of the game wouldn’t be as exciting. However, being part of the marching band isn’t all fun and games—it takes a lot of dedication and practice.

“Marching band is exciting and fun,” Mr. Dykes, the director of the Palm Harbor University Instrumental Music Program, said.

Mr. Dykes has been in band since fifth grade, and has been directing for fifteen years, seven of which have been at Palm Harbor University High School. Mr. Dykes personally prefers to play the trombone. “It’s the greatest instrument of them all,”  Dykes said.

It can be difficult to learn any new instrument. Even Mr. Dykes had trouble learning to play the trombone at first, but with a lot of practice, he was able to become proficient. “Anything new is challenging. It takes a long time to master something,” Dykes said.

The drum majors of the Palm Harbor University marching band are the people that stand up at the front. The seem to wave their hands randomly, but they are actually conducting the band to keep time with the music. Drum majors are one of the most important people in the marching band.

The students that attend the Palm Harbor University marching band are hard working at home and at scheduled school practices. Many members of the marching band spend hours and hours trying to perfect playing their instrument.

“I practice about 20 hours a week,” Devin Rhoden, a drum captain, said.

It is evident that Rhoden is dedicated to becoming a better player and captain in the band. He has been doing band for a total of seven years and has just started playing the drums. Rhoden was able to learn to play the drums easily, but it required a lot of practice.

Nick Snyder, another student in the Palm Harbor University marching band, has been in the band for four years. Synder, a percussion player, also says that learning how to play was easy for him to grasp on to. In addition to being in the marching band for the musical aspect, he is in it for the social aspect as well.

“It helps me [make] more friends,” Snyder said.

The chemistry and friendship of the marching band members brings them together and allows them to have fun while playing music together.

Marching band is a fun and educational experience. It allows members to bond with other members and make new friends, and it provides a hobby for people to participate in during spare time.