Act and One

ACTandONE One BIG Family More than just a band

take it from One drum major’s story

The Switch

Changing intruments for the marching season

BRETT

Preparing students for greatness, one rhythm

at a time.

Austin School of Music (512) 476-7666

Table of Contents Beat the Heat

The Switch

Woodwinds and Percussion and Brasses, Oh My!

Memorization Mayhem

Take it from Brett

Cover Art by Megan Jarriel

One Big Family

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| Act and One | December 2013

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Image by Ava Erickson

Image by rickvanderzwet

Image by Don Haynes

Meet the Authors

Laurie MacQueen 6

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Laurie started playing the oboe in sixth grade, which

propelled her into the world of band music. She once had a dream that her oboe broke into a million pieces and when she woke up, she was crying. Now in high school, she plays pit percussion during marching band and the oboe during concert season. In the marching season, she enjoys taking naps in the pit trailer and breaking vibrophone strings. This year, she joined the LBJ swim team because she enjoys having absolutely no free time. Laurie is extremely ambitious and hopes to go to college with a major in Geology. She looks forward to the insanity of the next marching season and going back to school a month earlier than students who are not in marching band.

She enjoys playing in class but does not like practicing at home unless she is trying to annoy her little brother with the altissimo register. She loves her clarinet so much that she is scared to bring it to school where it might get destroyed. She played the piano for four years in elementary school before quitting. However, she has started playing again and loves it now. Amanda enjoys pretending to do her homework when she actually is not, mindlessly watching TV on the weekends, as well as eating anything that has chocolate in it. She cannot wait until next season where she can hopefully break her record of most reeds chipped in a week.

Image by Laurie MacQuenn

Image by Adam Arredondo

Amanda has played the clarinet since sixth grade.

Ava began playing the clarinet in eighth grade. She was

late to enroll in band, but gave in after months of peer pressure. She is now the proud owner of two beautiful clarinets, Fefe and Benjamin. Ava loves all of the backbreaking work that comes with marching band and is having a hard time readjusting to playing while sitting down in the air-conditioning. In addition to clarinet, Ava has played guitar since the age of eight and wishes to learn piano. Although most of her day consists of slaving over mounds of homework, she enjoys playing music in her free time—watching TV comes in a close second.

Despite all of the hard work, she actually really enjoys marching band and cannot wait until next season.

Image by Laurie MacQuenn

Image by rickvanderzwet

Amanda Xia

Ava Erickson December 2013 | Act and One | 7

STRAIT MUSIC Making music since 1963

SOUTH LOCATION

2428 W. Ben White Blvd Austin, TX 78704 (512)476-6927

NORTH LOCATION 13945 Hwy. 183 North Austin, TX 78717 (512)918-3743

A Note from the Editors Dear Readers,

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e’re betting that you opened this magazine because you love marching band. Or you’re extremely jealous of all the cool band kids in your school. It’s also a possibility that you need some serious musical intervention because your playing skills have been lacking lately. We understand. No matter why you are here, one thing we can all agree on is that music plays an important role in all of our lives. Throughout this magazine, our goal is to spread the love of music, assist students in their musical abilities and share stories that will make you motivated to achieve greatness as a young band member. We enjoyed every step of creating this magazine, from arguing over the logo to laughing about photographs, and we hope you like the final product.

Image by Adam Arredondo

­The Act and One Team

December 2013 | Act and One | 9

Beat the Heat Tips and tricks for summer band camp

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he marching season always begins with band camp in the heat of summer. Although band members often regard camp as one of their best experiences in band, having the sun glare down at you doesn’t add much fun to the whole experience. Not only do you feel dreadful, you also have an increased risk of heatstroke and heat related disorders if you don’t take proper precautions. To stay cool, make sure to follow these steps.

1. Hydration

2. Sunscreen 30 minutes to 2 hours before exercise Image by Ryan Hyde

1 to 2 cups

For every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise

Image by Stilfehler

The Institute of Medicine has found that an adequate intake of fluids is about 3 liters for men and 2.2 liters for women in a day. Since you spend the day exercising in hot and humid weather, you need more than the daily recommendation.

The Mayo Clinic also recommends you to drink a sports drink, which helps replenish sodium lost in your sweat and help prevent hyponatremia.

3/4 to 1 cup After exercise 2 to 3 cups

Your sunscreen shuold have SPF 15 or higher. It needs to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.

Don’t forget to reapply every two hours.

3. Food Image by ZooFari

Image by Kamalakanta Jena

Written by Amanda Xia

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Eating healthy helps your body function better. The National Athletic Trainer’s Association recommends that you eat balanced diet of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. Also, try to limit the amount of sugar and processed food you eat.

4. What to Wear

5. Heat-Related Disorders

Image by GlennD09

According to Claudia Vepraskas as published in The Journal of School Nursing, make sure to look out for these symptoms of:

HEAT CRAMPS

Image by Oxyman

Image by Max Lee

• Painful cramping in the legs or abdomen • Heavy perspiration • Nausea

HEAT EXHAUSTION

• • • • • •

Dizziness Headache Fatigue Heavy perspiration Nausea Cold, pale, clammy skin

Image by Rich Niewiroski Jr.

HEAT STROKE

• • • • • •

Hot, red and dry skin Not sweating Rapid pulse Nausea Confusion, incoherent speech Loss of consciousness or seizure

These heat disorders can range in results extremely minor to something serious and fatal. If you ever feel any of these symptoms, tell a band director immediately.

6. Additional Tips Let your body slowly acclimate to the heat. Start routines slowly so you can BUILD ENDURANCE. When possible, SEEK SHADE. STAY AWAY from carbonated drinks, caffeine and milk.

What you do BEFORE practice affects your body, so make sure you eat and drink properly before you come to camp.

• LISTEN to your body. If you feel that something is wrong, tell a director.

• • • •

December 2013 | Act and One | 11

WHAT IF YOUR WATER STAYED COLD ALL DAY?

For the best in summer hydration.

The Switch

Changing instruments for the marching season Written by

Laurie MacQueen

Images by Megan

Jarriel

T

hree years ago, Mike Engerman struggled all summer to learn the ropes of his marching instrument, the mellophone. After playing trumpet for the three years in middle school, he felt crippled by the bigger instrument, and considered quitting mellophone and marching band all together.

Today, he laughs at his old awkwardness on the instrument as the mellophone section leader.

This is just one circumstance of a student switching, struggling, then excelling at their new instrument.

“The hardest thing for a young musician is patience. It’s easy to become frustrated in the early stages because the kid was most likely making a pretty good sound on his/her former instrument,” said Don Haynes, Head Band Director of the LBJ High School Band.

Many students switch instruments when marching band

comes around for various reasons.

“The Switch” can generate a refreshing or terrifying experience for the common marcher, depending on the support received and the time put in.

“The hardest thing for a young musician is patience. It’s easy to become frustrated in the early stages because the kid was most likely making a pretty good sound on his/her former instrument,” said Don Haynes, Head Band Director of the LBJ High School Band.

Switching instruments can present difficulties for students, like different fingerings or the need for a different embouchure. Some instruments feel more similar to the student’s old instrument than others. Most brasses switch to instruments very similar to their old ones, just bigger, while woodwinds like clarinet and flute don’t switch at all. Some select people switch to instruments that

lie across the spectrum from their old instrument.

“My instruments aren’t parallel to each other unless you lined them up parallel,” said Emma Gleason, a freshman year band member at LASA who switched from flute to pit percussion.

Most, if not all band programs require some kind of student participation in the fall semester if they enroll in band in the spring.

If you don’t want to switch instruments and march, you can join a class like stand band, the alternate class to marching band at LASA. “All of our students have band class in the fall. When a student switches to another horn, they’re not ready for marching band,

Most brasses stay on the same general instrument, but they have a marching horn, a bigger and louder instrument they switch to.

unless they did some serious work during the summer, ” Haynes said.

The alternative to switching may vary at some schools, you could become an alternate marcher, or get told “Try again next year.”

Some students switch instruments because they must, and some for more personal reasons.

In his junior year of high school, Haynes switched instruments from french horn to clarinet and then to bass clarinet in order to hang out with his close friends who all played clarinet.

Gleason switched instruments in her freshman year of high school from flute to percussion because she got bored with her old instrument.

“I did not like flute. It was boring.” Gleason said.

Some students feel pressed into doing marching band, switching in the process.

“I couldn’t just not do marching band. It was switch or don’t do marching band, and I did not want to do stand band,” said Megan Jarriel, a junior year band member at LASA who switched from bass clarinet to clarinet.

Gleason switched from flute to percussion because it seemed like a natural switch. She previously played piano for seven years, and wanted to play something slightly familiar instead of starting a completely new instrument.

“

All drum majors switch from some instrument. Drum major Sydney Robinson plays flute for the concert season.

When a student switches to another horn, they’re not ready for marching unless they did some serious work during the summer.

”

“I wanted to. And my parents supported me, so it ended up being what happened.” she said.

Everyone who switches finds difficulties in learning their new instrument. The four most common band clefs, treble, bass, tenor and alto clef all read differently and most instruments have completely different or at least varying fingerings.

“Sometimes learning a new clef, or for sure new fingerings can be pretty tough.” Haynes said.

December 2013 | Act and One | 15

In concert season, Isaac Metcalf plays bassoon.

During the marching season, he plays timpani since double reed instruments can’t march.

If someone switches between wind and non-wind instruments, some additional problems come up.

“The hardest part was learning a different way to hold the mallets technically,” Gleason said.

Sometimes you just need practice. Haynes recounted a student named Will who switched from alto sax to marching baritone.

He worked hard over the summer, and taught himself to read bass clef and the marching music for baritone.

“Had he not worked hard in June and July, he could not have joined the baritone section when summer band began on August 1st,” Haynes said.

For marching band, people continue to switch instruments every year, and every year students struggle with their new instruments. The high school marching bands across Austin and the State rely on these people switching, so people continue to excel.

“

Tuba players switch to sousaphone during the marching season.

I couldn’t just not do marching band. It was switch or don’t do marching band, and I did not want to do stand band.

”

December 2013 | Act and One | 17

Woodwinds and Percussion and Brasses, Oh My!

Which instrument should I play for the marching season?

Written by Laurie MacQueen

Find an instrument you want to play.

Listening to recordings of various instruments can help you realize the instrument that sounds the best to you. Start here, but you should not decide on an instrument purely by its sound.

If you are a newbie to music, learn an instrument that feels more natural to your mouth, so you learn quickly. Get an expert like a band director to teach you the basics.

There are two Strait Musics around Austin, and they make great resources for any musician.

It feels natural.

It doesn’t feel natural.

Ballpark instrument prices and supplies shown on the next page. Visit a local music store for more accurate prices.

| Act and One | December 2013

Congratulations!

You should choose this instrument!

Outside my price range.

I feel committed.

Try a different instrument.

Do you feel committed to jumping an extra hurdle learning this instrument?

I don’t feel committed.

Even if an instrument doesn’t feel natural to you, with enough commitment you can learn. If you are physically unable to play your instrument, then maybe you should try another one.

“You have to train to run a marathon, just like you have to train to play an instrument. Everything that’s important takes time.”

— Whitney Crowley, head band director of the Murchison Middle School band.

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Inside my price range.

Image by Laurie MacQueen

How natural does the instrument feel to play?

How much does the instrument cost compared to your price range?

If you don’t want to march, then consider joining front ensemble.

Instrument and Instrument Supply Prices Clarinet and Saxophone • You usually cannot rent these from schools, so you must buy your own.

• Beginner prices start at about $200 on Musician’s Friend (www.musiciansfriend.com) • A box of reeds costs about $20 at Strait Music. (www.straitmusic.com) It lasts for about a month.

• You need a few miscellaneous supplies, like swabs and cork grease, as specified by your band director. Prices vary per instrument.

• A one time cost, you usually buy your instrument.

• Beginning flute prices start at about $300 on Musician’s Friend.

• Beginner trumpets start at about $1,000 on Musician’s Friend.

• You need a few miscellaneous supplies, like valve oil or a swab, as specified by your band director.

Prices vary per instrument.

Low Brass • You usually rent from the school for varying costs.

• Some schools require a home instrument and a school instrument, so you rent two, which costs more.

• You need a few miscellaneous supplies, like valve oil, as specified by your band director. Prices vary per instrument.

Image by Laurie MacQueen

High Brass and Flute

Reeds are a must have for any clarinet or saxophone player, and can be bought at any general music store.

Front Ensemble and Drumline • School owns instruments, but you may be required to buy sticks or mallets • Mallets cost about $20 for two • Sticks go from $5 per pair.

Playing an instrument greatly enriches your life, but choosing an instrument takes a lot of practical thinking. The first decision in your music career rests in which instrument to choose.

Go out and enjoy every aspect of music making.

December 2013 | Act and One | 19

Memorization Mayhem

Written by Ava Erickson

W

ith the countless aspects of marching band, being on the field can get overwhelming.

Rule out this stress by memorizing your music before you march your first step. Ideally, memorization means you have familiarity with your music and understand it, as opposed to solely relying on muscle memory. Memorization may seem like an impossible task now, but after a few of these helpful tips and tricks you will become a pro in no time.

1

Before anything, find a distractionfree area to practice, you want an environment in which you can be completely focused. Also, look to practice in an area that has open space so that you can get used to marching in place while you play. If you haven’t developed a level of comfort in taking step-outs, then stand while you play.

3

2

Try “mental practice.” Dr. Noa Kageyama, a performance psychologist and Juilliard graduate, classifies “mental practicing”, as going over notes, rhythms and fingerings in your head. “Mental practice” has proven positive results in both musicians (Rubinstein and Horowitz) and athletes (Larry Bird and Greg Louganis). In moments of down-time throughout your day (where it would be inappropriate to whip out an instrument) simply think through your music and even finger along on an imaginary instrument.

4

Change up the rhythm of the piece to help with notes and fingerings.

To ensure that you have a good understanding of the music and, say, don’t skip any notes, alter the rhythm of one or two measures. Practice the altered rhythm, then go back to the way the piece was originally written. This also helps to get your fingers comfortable with the piece.

Images by Rich Graman

When attempting to memorize a piece of music, take it in chunks. It is much easier to memorize and master a small section than an entire movement. Go through your music and split it into sections about four measures long. Once you have confidence in one section move onto the next, until you have worked through the whole piece. Don’t let making lots of marks and reminders on your music scare you.

The LBJ Jaguar Band prepares to perform their halftime show at a high school football game. Brett Gramann, drum major, leads this last check to make sure that everything is perfect (the memorization of music, step-outs, visuals and dynamics).

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Information from:

Richard C. Mohs, Howstuffworks.com April Holladay, USA Today Peter Lavelle, ABC Sciences Online Image by Laurie MacQueen

December 2013 | Act and One | 21

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TAKE IT FROM

BRETT Written by Ava Erickson Images by Rich Gramann

One Drum Major’s story

C

lumps of chattering high school students walked briskly outside, all of them dressed in white, gripping instruments in one hand and balancing battered water jugs in the other. Conversation continued as the clarinets slipped on their reeds and the sousaphones clicked their mouth pieces into place. However, as soon as the whistle sounded, all attention lay in the hands of the drum majors.

“I was the guy on the podium, in the middle, and if I messed up everyone messed up,” Head Drum Major Brett Gramann said.

Now, at the close of the season, he reflects on the tremendous amount of responsibility that was placed upon him as leader of the band.

“I had been the captain of my soccer teams and whatnot before this, and so I had been in kind of a leadership position, but nothing

as demanding as being the drum major. I think being drum major has probably been the hardest thing that I’ve ever done.”

Gramann began playing music at the age of five, and after 13 years, is wrapping up his role as head drum major of the LBJ Band, as well as his marching career. He has faced leadership in one of its most intimidating forms, but stood through all of the challenges, eyes with pride.

Gramann’s older brother had, too, gone through the LBJ Marching band program and was head drum major.

“I had always heard stories from my brother, just coming home he was like ‘Oh my god, you have to listen to what we did at summer band today,’” said Gramann.

After watching his brother’s experience in the marching band, Gramann made it a goal of his to be a part of this organization as well, December 2013 | Act and One | 23

Gramann stands with his band at the last practice of the 2013 marching season.

and little did he know, would also be named head drum major his senior year.

Prior to the start of his drum major role, Gramann prepared throughout his two months off.

Not only did he and the three assistant LBJ drum majors (Sydney Robinson, Miguel Posadas and Alisa Hernandez) attend a leadership immersion camp, he personally formulated ways to become the leader that he strove to be.

“What I did during the summer leading up to the season was [to ask myself] ‘what would I want to see in a really good leader that I think other people want to see in me?’”

Gramann said.

On the very first day of band camp, 2013, his strategy was to be outgoing, he made an effort to get to know everyone, to ooze with positivity and enthusiasm.

“You definitely have to be able to step out of your comfort zone,” he explained.

Throughout the three month season, and even before, Gramann and Head Marching Band Director Brian Mayer forged a strong bond.

They worked closely with one another, each relying on the other to be the best that they could be.

“The hardships and sacrifices that the two of us have made for this band program have brought us close together over the last couple of years,” Mayer remarks. “I contribute a lot of the growth and success of the band program to his guidance, knowledge and enthusiasm. He has taught me more about teaching and being a leader than any other student that I have taught.”

However, once the school year began, it became harder for Gramann to live up to the idea of being a perfect leader.

“A couple days I had some pretty bad days at school and I was like, ‘ugh I do not want to go to marching band today.’ I talked to [my band

director] and he said to just go out there and power through it. I put a smile on my face and got through rehearsal. Actually, some of those bad days were probably some of my most productive rehearsals,” Gramann said.

He found that if he expected other people, especially distracted teenagers, to do what he wanted, he needed to invest a tremendous amount of energy himself. In order to get others excited about what they are doing, he would have to

“

The hardships and sacrifices that the two of us have made for this band program have brought us close together over the last couple of years.

”

Gramann and his brother, future sister-in-law and band director, Brian Mayer.

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Gramann conducts the LBJ Band in a final run-through before the Bands of America Marching Competition.

bring twice as much enthusiasm.

Gramann struggled with getting the entirety of the 200 person organization to put all of their effort toward and strive for the common goal of the band. However, when the band was able to I do so, in Gramann’s eyes, it was the most fulfilling thing imaginable.

“During the last practices before UIL, seeing everyone just smiling and the emotion that everyone had, whether they be seniors or freshman or juniors or sophomores, just the emotion and knowing that, hey, we’re all in this together, it’s something we’ve all worked for for three months, and this fantastic show, this fantastic product is what we’ve created, and it’s as perfect as it could ever be was

“

probably the most rewarding thing I’ve ever seen. Then Area Finals that night, I could not even put into words what I was feeling that night,” Gramann said.

to moments of disappointment, as well as moments of triumph, he will leave with great satisfaction. Along with many others, marching band and being head drum major has left Gramann with skills that will carry him through the rest of his life, and a couple fantastic memories too.

“I knew that marching band was something very, very special when I came in as a freshman, but it was definitely realizing this year that, even though I’m leaving, this community that I’ve grown up with through high school is probably the most important part of my life and will always be something that I have in my heart. That’s probably the greatest thing about the LBJ band.”

t’s something we’ve all worked for for three months, and this fantastic show, this fantastic product is what we’ve created, and it’s as perfect as it could ever be.

”

With all that has happened during Gramann’s four years of band at LBJ, from his very first performance,

December 2013 | Act and One | 25

Achieve your best sound.

Choose us.

One Big Family

Written by Amanda Xia Images by Megan Jarriel

December 2013 | Act and One | 27

W

hen students open the wide, welcoming doors to the LBJ band hall, bright lights and open space quickly engulf them. Loud laughter is heard escaping from the large crowd of people huddled around in the center. In a corner, some other students sit together, rapidly finishing homework due the next period. People practice their marching music in nearby practice rooms, filling the band hall with a jumble of sound. The band directors stand in the back by their offices, sipping coffee while leisurely talking to some students. A collage of photographs from past bands splatters the walls with purple pride.

“You can go in [the band hall] during lunch and hang out, and it’s just a great place to be,” band member Leo Praderas said.

Band students share a lot in common, including their passion for music, as well as their drive for the band’s success. Combined with the fact that they spend so many

“

long hours rehearsing together, it makes sense that these people are friends. Laughter can always be heard when band students gather.

The bond formed between the students provides the structure for everything the band does and takes pride in.

“It’s probably been the best part of high school, having 200 people

has the band members’ undivided attention for eight hours a day, five days a week, in the whole month of August. Through weeks of sunshine, sweat and ice cold water, members must show their dedication for what comes later in the season.

“You know [band members] even before you get to school. They’re the first people you ever meet as a freshman,” freshman Nicky Manavi said.

Joining marching band as a freshman though, they do not fully understand the magnitude of this band community. There is a large difference from an elegant concert band in middle school to the loud 200-member marching band in high school. Although freshmen can feel bewildered at first, the upperclassmen make sure they feel included in this family.

“It’s just been really welcoming to everyone, and they really make you feel like you’re part of the band,” freshman Erin Teal explained.

This includes many of the LBJ band’s traditions to bring freshmen into the band, like the Summer Band Olympics, ice cream social, first steps on the LBJ logo and the wellkept secret of initiation. “[Initiation] was my favorite tradition because it brought a closer bond [to the students] and it really showed that band is not uptight. It’s really loose and you can do whatever you want,” Manavi said.

Another lighthearted activity is when the freshman chooses an upperclassman as their “big brother” or “big sister.” That person then gives the freshman any support they might need throughout their freshman year, whether that be band

It’s probably been the best part of high school, having 200 people who know your name and smile at you in the halls, and that you share something with.

”

who know your name and smile at you in the halls, and that you share something with,” said Katie Gleason, a senior and clarinet section leader.

This community first begins growing in the peak of summer with long hours of practice during band camp. During this time, marching

Students skip around the track with Brian Mayer, head marching band director, during a football game.

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| Act and One | December 2013

or academic related. The two also exchange candy and other goodies every football game.

“Vandana’s my big sister, so it’s like sometimes I’ll see her in the hall and she’ll wave so that’s nice,” Teal said.

While football games are serious at the halftime performance, they are also a time for non-marching related activities like cheering on the football team and just having fun in the stands.

“I really like the stand stuff we do,” Teal said. “We yell and do dances and we basically have a whole ton of fun. Like that’s all we do, which is awesome because we’re just dancing around there and we’re screaming our heads off.”

Later in the season however, band members must work extremely hard to balance their schoolwork with band. Even though their day can become quite tiring with homework, projects and tests, as well as practice after school, band members find a way to bring their enthusiasm to practice. Sometimes they must help the band by lifting their friends’ spirits when they have a hard day at school.

“There are bad days, there are good days, there are in-between

“

Oh wow, this is really cool that we’re doing this.

”

days,” senior and band president, Natalie Hayhurst, explained to the freshmen during a pep talk. “They’re all totally worth it when you get to the end of the season, and you look at the video of our last performance, and you see all the straight lines and

Trombone players hold up their horns to show their football spirit.

all the pretty pictures and sounds coming from the field with us on it.

It’s all totally worth it.”

All of the hard work and dedication builds up to an eightminute show. Even though that is not long at all, to band members, it can seem like a lifetime.

“I guess it’s making [band] really worth it when you go to competitions and you perform in front of all these people and then while you’re performing you get goose bumps, and you’re like, ‘oh wow, this is really cool that we’re doing this,’ and you get to show off for everyone. And you go back later and you watch the video and you’re just sitting there like, ‘wow, I can’t believe we did that,’” Teal says.

But soon the cold winter chill sets in and the football season ends, leaving the marching season to wrap up after three long months of dedication. And although the 2013 LBJ Band did not continue to advance to UIL State competition, everyone is still extremely proud of their accomplishments this season.

“It has been a long time, to my memory, since an LBJ marching band bonded so remarkably,” said Don Haynes, the head band director of the LBJ band. “Whereby, the members found the true meaning of being connected as a band family.

I speak for all the directors and marching techs when I say that we are so very proud of the 2013 Jaguar Marching Band.”

December 2013 | Act and One | 29

The brass and percussion sections play to the student section after performing at halftime.

Members are not only extremely grateful for everyone in the band, but also for those who make it possible. Band members gathered for an extra rehearsal to thank Hal Weiner, a band dad who has dedicated many hours to the band in the last six years. At a recent football game, the students saluted Weiner by spelling out “HAL” on the field during halftime.

“The LBJ Band expressed its huge ‘thank you’ to Mr. Weiner for giving us his amazing talents, his undying energy, his wisdom, his leadership, his humor and his fabulous art contributions,” Haynes says.

For seniors like Gleason, who will soon leave the LBJ band program, every last memory of the band program counts. Although Gleason does not plan to continue marching in college, she knows that 30

| Act and One | December 2013

she will still miss all the memories and people from marching band.

“I mean, at the beginning of the year, it’s like, ‘here goes another marching season.’ By the end, it’s like, ‘it’s over already?’ It feels like

“

It feels like yesterday it was the beginning of summer band.

”

yesterday it was the beginning of summer band,” Gleason said.

All of these experiences, both good and bad, bring the students closer together. Without the proud and exuberant members of the LBJ band, this band program would not be the same.

“The people here are really cool, I feel like just because this [organization] really brings in all sorts of people,” Manavi said.

Assistant Drum Major Sydney Robinson agreed.

“The people in band are just all so special. It makes it all worth it,” she said.

And who would have known any of that as they opened the door to the band hall for the first time as a tiny, wide-eyed freshman entering a gigantic, new world.

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