“It’s really special. Even though it’s hot and tiring, it’s always worth it in the end.”
That’s how Overland High School senior Barbara Akuoko describes “band camp,” a week of eight-hour days that are both exhausting and exhilarating for the nearly 100 members of the OHS Marching Band. Students give up a week of their summer break to spend time memorizing new music, practicing their marching and maneuvering, and building a bond as one of the most visible and impactful organizations at Overland.
“It’s worth it because you get to know everybody, you make the family during band camp,” explained senior Bryan Truong, one of the band’s two drum majors.
“Music is a sense of family to me, so once I found my family here, it just all clicked,” added Akuoko, who plays clarinet. “We come and put in all these extra hours to just show how much school spirit and school pride we have.”
Each day of band camp, which runs from July 22-26, begins with stretching and breathing exercises. There are sectionals, where the woodwinds, the brass, the drum line, and the color guard drill their unique skills. That’s followed by hours of marching practice, outside under the hot summer sun. But there are few complaints.
“I teach some of the best kids in the school,” said band director Ryan Monarch. “They’re the hardest-working, and they believe in the program, they believe in music. They really do enjoy what they’re doing, and it’s a pleasure to teach them.”
Monarch says many of the band members join the group with little or no previous music experience.
“The entire bass line, they’re really smart, intelligent kids who work really hard, but it’s their first year in drum line,” Monarch said.
A lack of experience doesn’t keep the kids from pursuing excellence, however. Once school starts on Aug. 12, most of the marching band members will also be taking one or more band classes, such as concert band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, or jazz band. They’ll also be performing at school events, including the Freshman BBQ on Aug. 13, and home football games, starting on Aug. 29.
Junior drum major Sebastian Somoza says the marching band brings something special to school events.
“Lots of emotion and support and making everyone happy,” Somoza said.
Watch for the ‘Blazer Marching Band in the Littleton Welcome Week Parade, coming up on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Posted 8/1/2024.
