After a band camp to remember, the Armuchee High School Marching Band started their 2024 season off with enthusiasm and high expectations. The Marching Indians began their band camp on Monday, July 15th and ended on Friday, July 26, already prepared to march and play nearly half their show. Most shows contain three movements or major segments in a total performance; this applies to the 2024 AHS show. The 2024 show, titled The Caged Bird Sings, portrays the comparison of birds that fly freely and unburdened, while other birds are confined to a cage, only able to longingly sing for freedom. Madison, a junior in the marching band said, “We the band could represent the caged bird, and with our new band director we are freeing ourselves to new opportunities.¨ These “new opportunities” could be the recently changed and added stand tunes, which have been revised for efficiency and appeal. The band even had a play-off with the marching band from Southeast Whitfield at the AHS vs SHS game. The two bands both competed in volume and spirit, playing the popular stand tune “ESPN.”
From the beginning of the season, they have been seen working extremely hard, not only impressing themselves but also Adam Chasteen, Armuchee’s new band director. Mr. Chasteen said, “Although we do have a long way to go we have made a lot of good progress within the short time we have been doing the show.” Their show contains half-time stepping in a three/four-time signature, quick turns, and challenging dances. Before the band begins to march, they dance a “pre-show” which features Parker Campbell, a senior drum line member, in the middle of the band which encircles him.
The students often try to push themselves to every mental and physical limit they possess. Band camp itself has been known to be a brutal two to three weeks. With a 9am-3pm (Week 1) and a 9am-9pm (Week 2) schedule, the band spent hours outside and in the band room learning and perfecting their show. Elliott Wilson, a second-year marcher said, “The band as a whole has improved on many different levels” and has been striving to not only represent the band well on the field, but also in the classroom. Students in the marching band hold themselves to high standards with or without their instruments. The workload for marchers (or any other student involved in extracurricular activities) requires discipline and endurance. They have to condition themselves to be able to keep up with everything expected from them in or out of the classroom. Marchers face rigorous academic expectations yet continue to give their all in band.
Managing school and band has taught many students to look at things from a different perspective. On this topic, Shari said, “Realizing I’m a person, I’m not a machine; I’m gonna get 80s, I’m going to get bad notes,” she also said, “It’s not a definition of who I am as a person.” Seeing their path like this allows the band to grow together and build each other up in a healthy environment. Elliott said, “Any marcher would tell you that the process from the first day of band camp to the last practice is a long, difficult yet a very rewarding journey.” The marchers have a practice schedule of Tuesday from 3pm-7pm to Thursday from 3pm-6:30pm, and of course, the Friday night games. The Marching Indians have only just begun their season and will continue to work with the goal of constantly improving. The Caged Bird Sings has proved to be a promising, uplifting show.
