In the sun for hours. Practicing until perfection. Proper footwork,  proper footsteps, proper posture, repetition, repetition, repetition; this is what the marching band of LNE lives for. This is what they do in order to look, sound and be the best that they can be.

LNE’s marching band is nothing to underestimate. Being a part of this elite group of students is anything but easy. Students must undergo hours upon hours of continuous marching and playing of their instruments. This includes practicing the proper footwork and memorizing the songs they are required to play. Accomplishing all this is a must. Many people fail to realize the amount of preparation marching band entails.

The marching band students start practice during 7th period and stay after school until 3:15 p.m. everyday but Tuesdays. They work hard in the sun going over their newly introduced songs and the movements that come along with them. We all see glimpses of their effort at football games and school rallies.

Josh Olsen, the band’s Head Drum Major, says the marching band practices just as hard as any other school activity. He says he gives band 110% of his effort and must practice at home to stay on to top of his game. Although band is a difficult and strenuous activity, Josh says, “I’m not sure where I would be without band. I know that I wouldn’t have wanted to spend these past four years doing anything else.”

Maryah Norton, a senior saxophonist, says they must practice everyday and twice on Mondays. She says she loves band and everybody in it is like her second family. She says she must practice hard to better herself and to be a good role model to younger students in the band.

Mrs. Thorpe, LNE’s co-band director of 8 years, says this years band is a very young band with a good work ethic. She expects great things from them, but that is easier said than done. “[In order to be successful they must give] a tremendous amount of effort not only in class, but they also must have a strong discipline to work on their music on their own.” She states, not only must the students work after school most weekdays, but they have to attend a two week camp over the summer. Mrs. Thorpe described these kids as driven, motivated, and hardworking. She says “People who are willing to tackle the things that they don’t do well are the type of kids that are most successful in marching band.”