Taking each breath, the Marching Northmen take pride every step along the way in this year’s show, “Fortune Teller.” Their dedication to music and friends is shown every time they take the field. 

The endless hours of work put in through weekly practices and camp is revealed in every student as they worked on the five parts of the show. 

“It’s fun to see how the whole show is put together by just walking back and forth,” sophomore Miguel Corpus said. “It’s a bit more challenging than last year, but last year was easy.” 

Freshmen Autumn Smith said learning the fundamentals of marching can be challenging. 

“Band camp is nothing like the movies, it’s hot and I feel like we get a water break once an hour,” Smith said. “It’s mostly learning how to march and counting your steps on time because you don’t want to step off at the wrong time and jack everyone up.” 

The days spent at competition are fulfilled with dancing, music, and listening to performances. Every step taken on the field is pivotal in the show when they are being judged. 

“Competitions are really stressful because of all that pressure on you,” Corpus said. “Every single kid in marching band knows when they do something wrong throughout the whole show and when it comes to that part in the competition, they either mess it up or do good and mess everything else up and they overthink it with all that pressure.” 

Every Friday, they take the stadium in support of the football team. Many of these memorable experiences are made through the games and competitions. 

“The competitions and football games because I feel like you get to have fun with other kids and you get to talk to them,” Smith said. “At competitions you also may get to talk with other bands.” 

Section leaders carry a heavy load of leadership within the band’s structure. 

“I make sure that everyone as their stuff, to answer any bad questions, and making sure that everyone feels confident in themselves,” senior Jessica Turner said. “It just depends on the day, some days are easy breezy, everybody has their stuff and is on time and other days I got to really lay into people and be really strict. You can’t be everybody’s friend because sometimes they don’t need a friend, they need a person to look up to and you have to be that person.” 

Band members look to the future not only for the skills they’ve learned, but those skills they’ll use to improve the next performance 

“I’ve definitely become more authoritative, understanding my worth and that you have to stick up for yourself and no one in this world is going to stick up for you,” Turner said. “Also, teamwork skills in general and that sometimes you’re fighting for something way bigger than yourself.” 

 As every year passes, the Marching Northmen grow bigger, having 120 members. The growth of the band can come with challenges but has strengthened the show. 

“I’m pretty sure were going to have a lot of people next year which will make our band way bigger,” Corpus said. “I honestly think were the best band in our whole district because we have a lot more players and potential.” 

From the first day they step on that field, the people they meet will be beside them every step of the way. The journey from freshmen year to senior night will stick with them as they leave high school. 

 “I definitely won’t miss Monday night rehearsals, but 6:45 a.m. rehearsals were fun times, and Ms. Joy’s cookies,” Turner said. “I’ll miss the people, senior Jacquelyn Bennett, junior Luke Marx, junior Joran Brensdal, junior Makenna Arnold, and just the family aspect in general because you become so used to being around them every day, but traditions have to end.”