SAXOPHONES - The Marching Jays’ saxophone section dressed all in blue as their color for the day. From left: Cyrus Guse, Tarun Ewest, Paige Dufault, Katie Olson, Ellery Waldron, Alyssa Kilmer, Madelyn Larabee, and Logan Reger. In front are Josie Perrizo and Kya Hoof.
Another week finished
Marching Jays wrap up second week of band camp
Marching Jays wrap up second week of band camp
Thu, 12/29/2022 - 9:44pm
“As soon as I joined the marching band, my summer was all taken up and filled with fun.
— Britney Ross, Clarinettist
The Marching Jays have just wrapped up week two of band camp. After ten days of working 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., they’ve learned a lot.
Spat camp is a tradition going back to when the band first started more than 50 years ago. During the annual training event, band members spend the day on the field practicing the movements and memorizing the music used in the field show to create a smooth performance.
“Before Spat camp I used to just sit around and do nothing all summer,” explained junior Britney Ross, a clarinetist in the Marching Jays. “As soon as I joined the marching band, my summer was all taken up and filled with fun. The number of life-long friends I’ve gotten because of it makes my heart warm. Friends like the clarinets don’t come by often.”
“We made a lot of progress,” said sophomore Leah Scheffert, a mellophone player. By the end of week one, the first movement of the group’s field show was done, both playable and movable – an impressive feat for the band. “I think the show has a lot of potential and I think it could be really good,” Scheffert exclaimed.
Up next for the band is a short parade Saturday ,August 13, to the fairgrounds for their garage sale there. After that, evening rehearsals will begin for the Marching Jays as they prepare for competitions starting in the fall.