Area students sacrifice their time, practice countless hours to entertain
Though Friday nights and Saturdays are synonymous with football season in western Pennsylvania this time of year, it’s really not all about the game at hand. It’s about the bands in the stands.
Ask any high school band member – or their parents.
Band members, just like the football team, sweat it out during the summer months, enduring endless, grueling, early-morning practices to perfect the halftime show of all halftime shows. And then, of course, there is the pre-game show that is practiced – and perfected – time and time again.
Band members admit they might hit the snooze button on the alarm clock time and time again during the summer, hoping to get just 10 more minutes of sleep. They know that school is just around the corner. But there is work to be done: drills to be practiced and routines to perfect.
But once the whistle blows and the drum major stands at the helm of the band, the marching begins and the band plays one of its favorites they’ve practiced during band camp. When it all comes together, somehow it all seems worth the hard work.
The applause from the faithful – even during snow and rain – tells the tale.
Now into Week 6 of football season, band members have clearly replaced T-shirts, shorts and their walking shoes for woolen, colorful uniforms representing their alma mater. They stand tall and proud, representing their high school.
The marching doesn’t end once football games end, either.
High school bands are showcased during competitions against other high school bands in the area. The band festivals have grown in popularity over the years. They are judged on musical and visual performance and general, overall appearance.
High school bands are busy during the week, too. That might mean marching in a Halloween parade or at Kennywood’s annual high school band festival even before the school year begins.
And there are fund-raising efforts that are ongoing. Band members might be raising money to help pay for a musical instrument or for an upcoming trip the band is taking.
So the next time you think about making a trip to the concession stand during halftime, why not stay for the show? It’s the best in town.