Throughout years of school, we are all aware of the different groups, especially in music. Orchestra, chorus, and band are just a few of the many branches of the music department. They each are related in some way, yet are completely different. They consist of different routines, sounds, rules, etc. I have observed the Dartmouth High School Marching Band’s practices, as well as observing them as they perform at football games. The marching band practices in the parking lot of the high school and blocks it off so it is strictly accessed by band members. When watching you can clearly see how focused and determined each member is while practicing. Practices consist of lots of noise, routines, funky uniforms, colorful flags, etc. and a small audience of students, family members, and friends. I learned that the practices are often held 3 or 4 days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and if there is a home football game, Fridays, each practice lasting around 3 hrs.
I observed the drum major, who controls the band’s sync as a whole and seems to be very important to the band and their performance. The drum major stood on top of a raised ladder, looking over all of the other band members, with lots of hand movements. Up, down, side you observe the members hands as they conduct. I asked a couple of band members the position the drum major really plays; the entire band watches the drum major who conducts, in sync, with the time signature on each piece of music. The time signature or tempo could be anything from 4/4, 3/4 , 1/2, or 4/8; 4/4 being the most common time signature.
When watching the band perform it’d be impossible to not notice how they are constantly moving at the same speed and at the same time. Curious how the band manages stick to their assigned spots and stay in the correct form, I decided to ask how it was possible for the members knew exactly where to go, and when. The drill writers create the entire drill according to however many members are in the band. Each member has their own personal drill that they need to follow. Every drill set is called a “dot”, and the members need to be on their personal dot at all times throughout the show. If any member gets out of position, they risk messing up the shapes and form.
The band members wear a uniform that includes pants, trouser style, the jacket, which appears to be very fitted. To top it all off, every member has to wear a hat with a tall feathery white plume/feather projecting from the top. The DHS marching band wears green and white, representing the high school’s colors. Considering it can be extremely cold while members practice throughout the winter, and freezing cold weather they will completely layer themselves in all different layers of clothing beneath their uniforms. I observed this as my best friend, Isabel, who is part of the band would constantly get ready for practices, or games.
The end of the season for marching band is in November, when bands from across the nation compete at Metlife stadium in New Jersey. Thousands of people attend the competition as viewers, and besides the audience, there are hundreds of members from all different bands in attendance. Members explained nationals as being a moment they have been waiting for, and a goal they have been working towards; it makes the endless hours of practicing rewarding, and exciting. You can see how passionate and proud each member really is about their work; you can also see the bonds they have all formed. The smiles, the hugs, and the interaction amongst the members says it all.