As local schools gear up for the upcoming academic year, several students have already filled the parking lots and other parts of school campuses to practice for band competition for the first time as a unit. This year, members of each camp have found it harder to balance practicing outside and battling the high heat temperatures.
Daviess County High School’s band, also known as Band of Pride, returned to a somewhat normal camp schedule back on July 12 for the first time since COVID-19 hit. The camp was modified to battle the heat and ensure safety for the members.
Band Director Nathan Clark said they worked on a double rehearsal schedule with four-hour slots and practiced getting the newer members of the used to practicing at the high school level.
“It’s just an opportunity to kind of get everybody off to a good start, get a big chunk of our field show taught in a place where there are less distractions than during a normal school week,” Clark said.
Owensboro Catholic High School’s band director Ed Hauser started practice two weeks ago with their guard and percussion teams. Over the last week they’ve added their full band practicing mainly indoors and started their marching and drill teams.
Hauser said that since their band is made up of 38 members in total, they are able to practice inside more often. He said his team has been training hard for competition, but also preparing to perform for a crowd.
“We’re not here for the trophies, our goal is to perform for the audience,” Hauser said.
The preparation that Hauser puts the students through is essential as he says it balances them as both a musician and an athlete.
“It’s like putting a puzzle together,” Hauser said. “If we started right when school started, we’d be behind for competition.”
When it comes to practicing at Owensboro High School, Director Abe Barr said they have been battling the heat during practice.
Barr said he sees his section leaders step up at the practices and help train the team as a whole. Barr said that throughout the camp they are fortunate to be back together but he’s thankful for the “exceptional leaders” who have stepped up to connect with the newer members of the band.
With the student leaders helping the crew, he knows his group is excited to compete this school year and are looking forward to the year after COVID.
