Practicing on an early Saturday morning, the band prepares for their competition later that day. Photo by: Allyson Bender

By Allyson Bender

Feeling the beat, moving with the notes, creating the song, and sending it up to the fans in the stands brings the roaring crowd to their feet every time.  Competition season has arrived for the Plymouth High School marching band.

 The PHS band is ready to rock the field. Revving up to play their hearts out, the band works extremely hard on their competition pieces. Sophomore Jessica Celmer is a band student that knows her music. Celmer says, “Psycho, Vertigo, and Death Hunt by Bernard Herman.” These are the three songs that the band will be playing in the upcoming contests. Mr. Ames is the one that chooses the music that the band plays. When it comes to helping the band prepare for a show, it is the band parents and crew that give a helping hand. Celmer says, “They feed us, help with props, move pit equipment, and cheer us on.” While the band is well on their way with their preparations, the color guard has their own different way of preparing for a contest.

Standing in front is Senior Trumpet Section Leader Traci Longanecker. Section leaders are responsible for helping their section's musicians reach their full potentials. Photo by: Allyson Bender

Working just as hard as the band, is the Color Guard which aims to complement the band's musical performance by adding a visually artistic one. Photo by: Allyson Bender

Senior band member Nicole Splix says, “The color guard has to get their makeup and hair done every time before a show. They usually get together early in the morning to make sure that everyone gets these things done.” The guard has a lot to do for a contest. Splix said, “They practice at the same time as the band does. They normally go off and do their own thing, however, when the band is doing basics. They simply do warm-ups that are more suitable for the color guard and all of their flags twirling.” The guard is ready to go.

Junior Sarah Iwinski is one of Plymouth High School’s band students who travels with the band for contest. Iwinski says, “The band will travel all over the state.” Because of their many performances, practice is required if they are to succeed. Iwinski says, “We practice for hours during the week.Then on the days of the competitions, we practice from one hour up to three hours. It takes lots of time if you want to be good.” The band practices to get better and getting better takes time. After practicing the band suits up in their uniforms and grabs their instruments, flags, and props, and heads out for another challenge ahead.