As the pandemic has stretched on for over a year, vaccinations have become increasingly available to the general public., Because of this, most public schools, including those in California, started requiring their students to return to school in person. This also means school activities and extracurriculars, such as music groups, sports teams, and clubs will be back!
At Crescenta Valley High School, the music director, Mr. Schick, and the marching band members, are ready to start the new school year. The CVHS marching band consists of 108 students: there are flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, tenor saxophone, mellophone, trombone, baritone, and tuba players, plus percussionists and the color guard. The group is getting ready for the football season with their two week long band camp, in which students will learn the new music and marching techniques for this year’s field show, Rhythm and Color. The football season, lasting throughout most of the fall semester, brings many rehearsals and game nights for the band. Mr. Schick explains, “I am excited for this activity because we have to come in person for band-we haven’t been able to that in over a year-and everything that marching does is visual playing together;, instruments playing together, music, harmony, rhythm, coordination”. He plans to introduce the field show, dance movements, marching techniques, and bonding activities. The band director believes that the marching band will be able to inspire the community and students even more this year through the students’ hard work that will be displayed in their shows. Mr. Schick also hopes to build the marching band program back up from the pandemic that put a hold on many of the band’s activities last year.
However, some parents and students might be worried about having band camp in person due to COVID-19 still being quite present. To maintain safety, the marching band enforces masks indoors, provides hand sanitizers around the campus, and checks temperatures and general student wellness before their entry. Mr. Schick states, “We are doing our best to follow the CDC and district guidelines.” If everyone cooperates with the rules, we can ensure a safer community while enjoying the band activities!
Many students are excited to return to school and participate in band camp after over a year of virtual class. Band camp will be difficult, hot, and sweaty, but the students will try their best, as they know it will all be worth it in the end. As band camp is an unique experience for any student, it will be great to see other high schools across the country begin their own band journeys as well.
