Members of the Oglethorpe County High School marching band have been working on this year’s show at a two-week camp at the school.
Nine hours a day, band members have been learning basic techniques and going through conditioning to prepare for the upcoming season.
The long days don’t damper the band’s spirit.
“They got such positive attitudes and willingness to learn,” said Jeanne Jones, color guard director and wife of band director Lee Jones.
Members of the band, ranging from rookies to vets, are getting back into the groove of things. After beginning with stretching and running, band members also practice their marching technique.
Trumpet player Rylie Campbell decided to join the marching band for his last year of high school.
“I really like being around other people and making new friends,” he said.
Visual caption head Christopher Brown, who teaches first grade, hopes to introduce more dance styles into their show for this year. Brown marched with the Redcoat Band at UGA.
“They all become friends, they all get to know each other and that’s really worth it,” Brown said.
This year’s show, called “The Golden Spike,” is based on the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The directors were inspired after looking at historical photos.
The show features props, such as fake sledge hammers, that will be spun by the color guard. The band will play a range of music, including “In the Hall of the Mountain King” and an arrangement by Lee Jones featuring “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”
“It’s very different from our other years,” Jeanne Jones said.
The band will compete in four competitions, including the Georgia Marching Band Collective Competition, which will be held on Oct. 5.
The competition is a Music For All affiliate, a program that works closely with Bands of America, known for its Grand National Championship in Indianapolis. Judges at the show will critique the band on the same classifications as a BOA competition.
Junior drum major Kendall McCurdy enjoys being able to see all parts of the band working together to learn new things. She looks forward to being able to conduct and to hear critique from the judges.
“I get to personalize it, and I love that,” McCurdy said.
Victor Ross, sophomore woodwind head, finds that he is able to open up by helping others learn how to play their music.
“I’m kinda quieter, so helping with music is one of the things that I’m best at,” Ross said.