Although the school year has just begun, the Foran band has been practicing tirelessly since the end of summer. Between band camp and rehearsal, the band is prepared to play and perform at the first home football game of the year.
Band camp started at the beginning of August, stretching from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. During this time, the band would practice marching, formations, and songs. With a new chorus director, Mr Ian McNulty, assisting them, the band has had to adjust to a new atmosphere while welcoming underclassmen.
As new faces join the band, freshmen are seeing the differences between middle school and high school bands.
Sophomore D’Moni Lindsay describes the differences he has noticed between the two environments. He states, “The middle school band was definitely less intense than the high school band. The community is also much more tight-knit than middle school.”
Community is a big part of the band, Senior Sam Le explains, “My favorite part about band is the welcoming atmosphere and community of the several grades working together.”
After spending many days together during the summer, the band has grown into a very close group. It’s important to be close so that they can communicate well with each other, for a better performance.
The band works together outside of their practices to help the community. They perform during parades and other concerts. This has helped unify the band, leading them to various first-place awards in competitions in Boston, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Those who are a part of the band and are involved in fall sports have to find a balance to ensure peak performance in both. Students involved in football and cheerleading have to balance summer practice times and game time performances.
Senior cheer captain and band section leader, Lea Boguniecki, states, “I think of them [cheer and band] as separate practices. I take on a separate mindset for each to keep my mind at ease.”
It is difficult to memorize the band performance and all of the responsibilities that come with a sport, but many student athletes and band members make it possible.
Come watch the band play Disco Inferno, September, Hot Stuff, and Knock on Wood at the first game on Friday, September 12.
